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 Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 5:19 pm
The drive of a book is something that has always been important for me, whether I'm reading or writing it. And what I mean by the drive is the way in which the story is focused.
Plot-Driven, where the plot is the dominant idea.
Character-Driven, where the plot is derived from the characters' thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
Theme-Driven, where the subtext is the key factor in shaping the story.
I've found that I'm most drawn to character-driven novels. They feel more believable to me, regardless of the actual genre. For me, it's all about the reason behind the plot. I don't like it when plot happens 'just because.' So naturally, I try to write more character-driven fiction. Occasionally, it slows the story progression down, but it allows for more time to better develop the characters themselves.
That's not to say the other drives can't create a good story. Good genre fiction is often plot-driven. And, to be honest, a newer piece I'm working on is more plot-driven than anything. But I still love it.
So how about you?
How are your stories driven?
When reading/writing, does one particular drive appeal to you more than any other? Why?
Do you keep the drive in mind while writing, or do you just write?
Any other comments?
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Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:25 am
How are your stories driven?
Character and plot I would say. The plot starts it all off and I think it becomes more character based.
When reading/writing, does one particular drive appeal to you more than any other? Why?
I have no real care for how it is driven, as long as I like it and it makes sense. There is always a reason for an action in my stories.
Do you keep the drive in mind while writing, or do you just write?
I just write to be honest haha. I sit there, put my thoughts to words and that is it.
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:20 pm
The main piece of work I'm always working on is very plot driven- I have changed from all the original characters.
But I'm usually character driven, sort of. I find one character I LOVE and then create a plot around them, and add other characters as needed. I rarely start with more than one character.
As far as drive appeal, its just not something I ever thought about before, not in solid terms like this anyway. But I think I perfer plot driven, I judge a book more on it's plot than its characters.
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Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:46 pm
Desert: Are the reasons event happen in your story happening because they have to to make the plot move, or because the characters made a choice that inevitably resulted in that outcome? Or, even then, did the character make said choice you would have said outcome because it was essential to the plot?
Princess: I have a hard time getting into a story that's driven more by plot than anything else. To me, they seem hollow and kind of rushed--I never feel like the characters have had sufficient time to change between the beginning and the end. That's not to say I don't think plot-driven pieces can't be done well. I just don't find them as engaging. Unless it's really good genre fiction.
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:05 am
General Phade Desert: Are the reasons event happen in your story happening because they have to to make the plot move, or because the characters made a choice that inevitably resulted in that outcome? Or, even then, did the character make said choice you would have said outcome because it was essential to the plot? Actually, thinking about it, it is mostly always the characters making these events happen. I think it is much more believeable than something randomly happening. Every move in the story I am on right now is contributing to the final part (as I'm on Part Two) but they are mostly all due to the main male.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:05 am
@General: I know what you mean- I've read plot driven books that rush too, and its annoying. I don't know if you ever read Fablehaven, because its written for a younger age group, but in the last book it's pretty obvious that the author was ready to be done writing.
The real reason I perfer a plot driven book is because I get tired of reading of the 'Life and Times' of so-and-so. I feel like in many character driven books, events repeat themselves, because its the character thats being focused on, not the plot.
Then I also have this personal taste for more action, less emotion. Have you ever read Things Fall Apart? Not alot of emotion in that book, and I really quite enjoyed it.
@Desert: Hey! You changed your avi! I like it.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:49 am
It sounds like you lean toward character-driven stories, then, Desert. Maybe not fully driven, but mostly driven by the characters.
Princess, I haven't read either of those books. I wasn't big on reading until recently. I have a lot of catching up to do.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:30 pm
How are your stories driven?
Mine are definitely more character-driven, but my characters are also mingled into the plot to the point where they become more or less inseparable.
Themes tend to just crop up for me. I find ignoring them and looking for them later works a lot better than trying to put them in.
When reading/writing, does one particular drive appeal to you more than any other? Why?
Character-driven, most definitely. While plot is usually the initial hook, it is the characters that keep me reading. I do think there is a balance that needs to be achieved, however. I recently finished a book called Shadowland by Peter Straub. I liked the characters, but I felt I was kind of drifting through the whole book and barely anchored into the plot. I may not ever read it again.
Do you keep the drive in mind while writing, or do you just write?
I just write. As mentioned, things tend to crop up and/or just fall into place.
Any other comments?
One type of drive can be prominent, but balance is key.
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:15 pm
Neuschwanstein Princess - Haha, I can never find anything I like to put on my Avi! So this is a change...
Phade - Probably. All characters are a massive part of anyone's fictions. I think most, if not all, stories are a combination of plot and characters. smile
Like Nightmare, things to tend to just 'creep' up on you. Don't you just love the wonders of inspiration and subconsciousness?
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:36 pm
@Desert & Nightmare: My best days are the ones where something new for my story just 'pops' up.
Although I've done alot of pre-planning for most of my work, many of my best ideas come when I'm just writing, and I figure out how to shove them in there somehow, right then, without chopping the rest of my story to bits.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:15 am
I love those moments. I think when you write enough, you train your mind to look for those things. Maybe that is why things seem to "click" even when you are not thinking about them.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:52 am
You know Nightmare, I never thought of it like that. Perhaps it is the fact you write for so long, things just happen subconsciously...
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:46 am
It probably helps to read a lot too, and see how other authors have put their stories together. So it is a combination of writing knowledge that forms and learns to weave together.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:03 pm
@Nightmare & Desert: What you've said makes me think about the human biology class I'm taking right now, and how capable the human brain is.
Every second we're writing, our brain automatcially calculates all sorts of possible outcomes. I think more ideas are generated when you're actually writing than when you're just thinking about it.
I heard a quote once, from some famous author I forgot, that went something along the lines of, "Millions of ideas are zipping through the air everywhere, everyday. Most people only notice one or two, or none at all. A writer will notice four or five."
(And that is so not what he actually said, just what I remember from five months ago)
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:18 pm
Exactly. Sometimes my family will say something about a film or a book, saying "Oh, I honestly don't know how people think up these things!" I'm like...well that is what I do. It's easy.
Something really complex is just our imagination in overdrive or a realllly good idea come to plan. It's so easy to sit there with a pen and paper and draw up at least five different storylines. It's amazing.
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