Many have asked, “Which comes first–the characters or the plot?” When I wrote my first novel (before I had any clue or training in novel-writing), I started with setting. It was a travel journal of sorts and I began by outlining each location the characters would visit along their route. Then I chose some sort of mishap or problem that would occur at each place. Finally, I added some people to my notes and wrote the book. The problem with this approach was, I could have placed anyone in those roles and the story wouldn’t have changed. My characters were plain vanilla, b-flat, run-of-the-mill, ordinary folks. B-O-R-I-N-G.
I took that same story and did some character work, developed them into spring-from-the-page, realistic people with goals, quirks, conflicts, faults, and frustrations. The story took shape, became interesting. And recently, it finaled in a contest. In fact, one judge commented, “If this piece doesn’t win first place, I’ll be surprised.” So, my take (and the belief of many other novelists) is that the answer to the chicken/egg, character/plot question is this: Character IS plot. Fully develop your characters and your plot will be developed, too.
Our local writers’ group, Arkansas Inspy Writers, met recently and were blessed to have Robin Miller, president of American Christian Fiction Writers, conduct a workshop on characterization. She explained that once she’s done with her character work, she doesn’t even have to “write” a synopsis–she simply cuts & pastes from her character worksheets into a new document and viola! her synopsis is done. This shows that plot and characterization are inseparable.
So, the big question is–how does one fully develop characters? Excellent question! And one Fiction Fundamentals intends to answer through this blog series with the help of Robin Miller, who has graciously allowed me to use notes from her workshop and present that information here. Each Monday and Friday (beginning July 23), I’ll post a segment from the characterization workshop until we’ve brought our characters to life. (Sounds Frankensteinish!)
Please be sure to visit Fiction Fundamentals and contribute your comments so we can all learn together. And be sure to tell Robin thanks!
