Whenever I give a workshop or deliver a lecture on plotting, I find that audiences tend to break down (mostly) into two kinds of people: Plot Writers and Character Writers.
Plot Writers only get to know their characters by seeing what they do. They dive into the action and watch how the characters react. These are the outliners, and the positive thing about this kind of writer is that their plots tend to gallop forward at a swift pace. Their scenes don’t drag. The drawback is that their characters sometimes feel undercooked, two-dimensional.
Character Writers love to fill up notebooks getting to know their characters–discovering their hobbies, filling out backstory, researching where a character might go on vacation. They write well-fleshed-out, believable people. The drawback is that their plots are often thin or…well…absent. Scenes might feel pointless, even if they produce interesting banter or observations.
So–which kind of writer is better? The answer, my friends, is neither. That is because the difference between writing plot and writing character is the difference between two points on a circle. If you are drawing a circle, you can begin anywhere. You will eventually have to come around to the other side.
It always feels messy and inadequate because we all have strengths and weaknesses. But this is what I like to say: Write to your strengths. Revise to your weaknesses.
I used to think that my writing was “unartistic” because I like to use outlines. And I have heard many character writers bemoaning their inability to wrangle plot. But–trust me–whatever you are doing is right. It always feels messy and inadequate because we all have strengths and weaknesses. But this is what I like to say: Write to your strengths. Revise to your weaknesses. In other words, start with what you like: Outlines for me, lists of character vacation sites for my friend Lynn. Do what you need to do, and struggle through a messy first draft. Then, before you revise, stop. Take a break, and work with your weaknesses. If your plot is thin, brainstorm things that might happen, conflicts that might arise. If your characters are blah, work up some backstory, think about how they relate to each other. Then work on your next draft with your weaknesses in mind. But please do not feel that things would be easier if only you were a better writer. Everyone works differently, but everyone makes a mess. So go make your mess.
