Do you begin with character or plot?

[voluptuary_manque]

I'm not sure if I really start with either a plot, character or a setting. Usually it's a "What would happen if . . .?" kind of thing. Right now I'm working on a story based on the old myth of Leda and the Swan that will go either in non-human or Erotic Horror. I've got a series of stories online and in the works that were inspired by Stella Omega's discussion on what do you call a woman with aggressive, strong sexual drives who sees no reason for being monogamous. 'Slut' is too derogatory so the consensus was 'copulist'. Another was 'What if the husband declined a swinging encounter that his wife set up?" I don't see these as actual plots, just questions to explore. And naturally you need characters to explore them with. I'll spend a lot more time trying to fill out the character than I will on plot twists or steamy sex scenes.

 

[Passing]

Letters,

I sigh with envy at this ability. I can only do it for very short stories.

I like to inspire myself when I doubt the originality of an idea. There is nothing new under the sun. Although it is not entirely true, it is mostly true.

the following is a direct quote from one of my books so please do not print it in one of your stories. Thank you

“The soul of the writer is what makes the difference whether we enjoy what we are reading or not. Let’s face it. Romance books have one ending.” He said dryly. And the class laughed appreciatively. “Cowboys always win, even if they sometimes die. The detective has to solve his case, even if it is in another book, knowing these are the obvious conclusions, why do we even read the book?”
After a long pause he said “We read the book to enjoy the journey. The author makes that a good one or a bad one, and once we find that author we like we continue to read them even when they begin a new series that we may have no desire to get into, we read them. They fill a certain need that the reader has.” His eyes rested on Logan, briefly before returning to the rest of the class.

 

[flavortang]

I always start with character when I'm doing character-driven erotic stories. I come up with a few central characters that appeal to me and then build off of that. When I'm writing plot-driven screenplays that are in the action/adventure or sci-fi genres, I start with a plot first, then develop the characters.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Plot, plot, plot. Without a plot/storyline what use are characters? Yes, characters drive the plot, add substance, dialog and action, but without a plot the characters just run around without purpose, shouting and doing things for no particular reason.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Plot, plot, plot. Without a plot/storyline what use are characters? Yes, characters drive the plot, add substance, dialog and action, but without a plot the characters just run around without purpose, shouting and doing things for no particular reason.

That's not entirely true. When I write a strictly stroke tale, what counts is the description of the action. There need be no plot, and no development of characters beyond their descriptions, especially of their sex organs.

If I were being more literary, as I sometimes am, that would not be so, but with a stroke story, the description of the action is everything. You can say the characters are without purpose, but they do have a purpose, and it is having fun.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

That's not entirely true. When I write a strictly stroke tale, what counts is the description of the action. There need be no plot, and no development of characters beyond their descriptions, especially of their sex organs.

If I were being more literary, as I sometimes am, that would not be so, but with a stroke story, the description of the action is everything. You can say the characters are without purpose, but they do have a purpose, and it is having fun.

That may work...for you Box...but even my stroke stories have a plot, a storyline something more than just plunk and dunk.

 

[sillypanda]

This has been interesting to read, and to get so many different perspectives. But hey, one more can't hurt, right?

For me, the two are inextricably linked. I can't say one comes before the other, as they kind of don't exist without each other.

For instance, I can't envision a scenario (plot) without the characters being involved. At the same time, I can't envision a person / people (characters) in a vacuum without some key as to how they'll interact.

So, in my own head, one isn't independent of the other, so neither comes first - they come into being by virtue of the other.

 

[squarejohn]

I usually develop a character, sort of a day in the life of Joe Blow or Sally Suck, beginning with the moment they awaken, to the moment they fall asleep. This includes every detail of their morning ritual, every detail of what they do all day, until they turn off the light--or the TV--and go to sleep. Now I have someone to write about. The next step is to devise a sex partner for the primary character in the same way. Then I toss them together, and shake well.

By now I have a sizable manuscript--or should I say, a sizable text file--and it's time to take the axe to it. Because I'm not one of those who thinks his "work" is sacred, I have no trouble cutting out anything that doesn't pertain to the story, usually 80% to 90% goes out. As often as not, I'll trash the whole story if it doesn't satisfy me.

To me, nothing can happen without characters. Put two well matched characters together and the plot will take care of itself.

 

[squarejohn]

This has been interesting to read, and to get so many different perspectives. But hey, one more can't hurt, right?

For me, the two are inextricably linked. I can't say one comes before the other, as they kind of don't exist without each other.

For instance, I can't envision a scenario (plot) without the characters being involved. At the same time, I can't envision a person / people (characters) in a vacuum without some key as to how they'll interact.

So, in my own head, one isn't independent of the other, so neither comes first - they come into being by virtue of the other.

You said the same thing I did, but with far fewer words. My hat's off to you.

 

[Handley_Page]

I like to start with a character, complete with his (so far) foibles and problems. So far, my latest is on his way to Horner Springs having on something resembling a Witness Protection scheme.
Hence all the questions.
What happens when he gets there is as yet unwritten.

 

[Bebeslut]

However, if I were trying to write detective fiction - some kind of whodunnit, maybe - then I suspect I'd start with the plot and, as Harold says, begin with the ending. So it's horses for courses, really.

- polynices

Do you think Hammett started with character or with plot? If you think plot, go back and read The Thin Man, The Maltese Falcon and The Glass Key.

My series of stories about The Crew was based on people with real personalities who I inflated in my mind. I got the characters first, then thought of plots that went with the characters; the stories let them display themselves to the world. (Wow, that sounded high-falutin'!)

 

[sr71plt]

Do you think Hammett started with character or with plot? If you think plot, go back and read The Thin Man, The Maltese Falcon and The Glass Key.

My series of stories about The Crew was based on people with real personalities who I inflated in my mind. I got the characters first, then thought of plots that went with the characters; the stories let them display themselves to the world. (Wow, that sounded high-falutin'!)

I'm pretty sure professional writers just sit down and start writing.