characters – Page 2 – Confabulator Cafe

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

Aspen Junge - March 24, 2012

One of the annoying aspects of writing for a government is that usually there are plots, but no characters, main or otherwise. In fact, there are often no subjects in the sentences. Things happen, events unfold spontaneously. Objects are acted upon by mysterious forces, perhaps deployed by black helicopters. The passive voice is used excessively. […]

Which is more important to you: plot or character?

Paul Swearingen - March 24, 2012

I can barely separate and prioritize plot/character when I write, as they are so closely intertwined in fiction. Nevertheless, I consider the prime purpose of writing fiction to be storytelling, so “plot” gets the nod, followed by character and then setting, also vitally important to fiction. By definition, a piece of fiction (novel or short […]

Plot vs. Character: Save the eggs; torch my metaphor

Nancy Cayton Myers - March 23, 2012

“If your story was a house on fire, what would you run in and save?” Brad Bird ~ Writer/Director (Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Mission Impossible – Ghost Patrol) Plot vs. Character? No doubt in my mind, I’d save the characters. Here’s why: character drives plot. The “stuff” of story, the desire that drives choices and actions […]

Plot > Character (But both matter. A lot.)

Ted Boone - March 22, 2012

Plot is more important to me than character. Without a plot, there is no story. Without a story, what the heck are we doing? Character sketches are well and good, but I’m more interested in the voyage, not the people traveling with me. That said, terrible characters can ruin a good plot, while interesting characters […]

Who are you and what do you want?: Developing characters and finishing what I start

Nancy Cayton Myers - February 22, 2012

Back when I never finished anything, I used to just give my characters a name and a situation and watch the ‘fun’. But it wasn’t enough, I cannot be pantsless (See Confabulator Ted Boone’s Pants are optional. Plans are not. | Confabulator Cafe.) and I never finished anything! And it wasn’t all that fun, either. […]