As a reader, I like to live inside a character’s head. I often read books that work from one point of view, so it’s usually the main character I’m “pretending to be.” As a writer, I want to create characters readers love – or love to hate.
When I read, as much as I might like (or not) the plot, if the characters aren’t doing it for me, the book isn’t either. In fact, as a reader, I’m often more interested in the characters than the plot. What does that mean? It means that I’m more forgiving of a plot that could be better versus weak, annoying, or “too stupid to live” characters. (I borrowed the “too stupid to live” description from a writer in a local writers group.)
Of course when an author creates both dynamic characters AND a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, it’s the jackpot. I thought about the late author Sue Grafton the other day. Not only did she developed a compelling protagonist (Kinsey Millhone), but her books have intricately designed plotlines that steal you from the present and thrust you right into Kinsey’s mind. And here’s the catch: I don’t want to be Kinsey! Life isn’t all sugar and sunshine. But Grafton crafted the character in such a way that you think she’s real, that you might even know her. You just don’t want to be her.
Emily Swift
I’ve read other novels with great characters and silly plotlines. Sometimes I like the characters so much, I’ll overlook the ridiculous situations they’re in. Hey, I’ve had friends who participated in shades of crazy, but at the end of the day, I still loved them.
When I write, my characters get a lot of my attention. While my plot has already been outlined, I let their personalities, tendencies, faults, and honest reactions decide how they are going to get from point A to B to C – and so on. If an action doesn’t fit, my character’s not going to do it. And I’ll admit it: I’m obsessed with a few of my characters. I look for them when I’m out in the world. What if Emily was sitting at SPoT? What if I caught a glimpse of Templeton at Barnes & Noble? And, is that Rabbit? 😉
So what about YOU?
As a reader, is it the plot or the characters that make or break a book for you? How about as a writer? Is it your story or the people playing it out?
Or are they – the characters and the plot – on equal ground?
Note to blog visitor: The original post appeared first in 2012 on my previous blogsite, Write On! It has since been updated.
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