Comments on: Readers Poll – Story Structure Edging Out Character http://writeabetternovel.net/readersstory-structure-edging-character/ Practical wisdom for novelists and other storytellers Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:03:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill Henderson http://writeabetternovel.net/readersstory-structure-edging-character/comment-page-1/#comment-1858 Bill Henderson Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:51:24 +0000 http://writeabetternovel.net/?p=3367#comment-1858 My tendency is to work that way, too. There are two types of writers: those who start from the outside and work in, and those who start inside, and work their way out. Good writers of both types end up in the same place: the creative unconscious. Writers (like us) who begin with a "bright idea," have to know that and accept it. Plus know how to get there. Or else their stories may read as shallow and mechanically brilliant--but no one will care enough to finish it. My tendency is to work that way, too. There are two types of writers: those who start from the outside and work in, and those who start inside, and work their way out. Good writers of both types end up in the same place: the creative unconscious. Writers (like us) who begin with a “bright idea,” have to know that and accept it. Plus know how to get there. Or else their stories may read as shallow and mechanically brilliant–but no one will care enough to finish it.

]]> By: Mark Welker http://writeabetternovel.net/readersstory-structure-edging-character/comment-page-1/#comment-1854 Mark Welker Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:30:15 +0000 http://writeabetternovel.net/?p=3367#comment-1854 Agree with your view Bill. Interestingly, in terms of how I first approach a story, it is definitely not from a character POV. Most story ideas come to me either as a visual image to explore, or a story idea. However, as I start to write the story I find it's the characters that determine the realisation of that image or story kernel. So despite me approaching the writing without characters in mind, it ultimately becomes the characters that are able to suspend disbelief and deliver the punch of the story. Forcing the story over the characters usually breaks the spell in my mind, so no matter how clever the twist, the characters are the ones tasked with pulling it off believably. Agree with your view Bill. Interestingly, in terms of how I first approach a story, it is definitely not from a character POV. Most story ideas come to me either as a visual image to explore, or a story idea. However, as I start to write the story I find it’s the characters that determine the realisation of that image or story kernel.

So despite me approaching the writing without characters in mind, it ultimately becomes the characters that are able to suspend disbelief and deliver the punch of the story. Forcing the story over the characters usually breaks the spell in my mind, so no matter how clever the twist, the characters are the ones tasked with pulling it off believably.

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