Character vs. plot. Like the friction between dogs and cats, liberals and conservatives, bakers and monkeys, there will never be a quiet moment between which is more important to fiction. Actually I think most people agree it’s character. But I liked my intro.
Every editor, every development executive, my mom – they will all tell you that characters are more important than plot. That a great book, a great TV series (for kids or adults) a great film – is about characters the audience likes and wants to spend time with. Those characters can be under the ocean, in space, in a desert, they can be dogs, humans or monsters. But the characters need to draw you in.
So recently I was a little surpirsed when friends were sharing ideas for kids books and they all started with the location/setting/plot device. I was introduced to strange worlds, bizarre underground caves, even an old western town – before I met anyone. It’s a lonely way to talk about a story. By placing that information first, the creators seemed to be admitting that character is taking a back seat to location and/or plot.
Whenever I am trying to flesh out a story I start writing about the main character, or one of the main characters. (writing 101, I know). I write a page about the character before I ever TALK about where they are or sometimes, what they are. And when I develop the story I try and look back at this start and remember that no matter where the story takes this character, the character comes first. Their failures, their desires, their resentments. Even in a picture book this can be helpful.
Now that I’ve written this, I will work even harder to make sure I follow it!
movies are about plot… TV shows are about Character. I’ve heard that for years and I still think it’s true. With respect to kids books..it’s all about marketing easy readers that the kids can buy continuing stories.. like Diary of a Wimpy Kid… I’m not taking away from the plot but these books are more like TV shows than movies. Does that make sense? Back to work…i should blog more but i feel like no one listens…LOL
mickey
I think that’s generally true. And even more so these days given Studios will only be making superhero or giant robot movies.
The pigeon from Mo Willems series always pop into my mind when thinking of how important character is. I remember the first time I opened the book, by page one I was already laughing and liking the pigeon and the plot hadn’t even begun yet. (not to mention there is no scene or other characters!)
Yup. It hits you fast with his work. The reductionist (is that a term?) methods he uses are amazing in that they look simple, but are not. There are a LOT of Mo imitators out there now. But I find not a one of them as charming as his work.