I’ve noticed that my short stories tend to be very character-centered, but with my novel it’s all about the plot, that marvelous and surprising unfolding of events.
Of course I want both of these to be fully developed – it’s only that my focus seems to shift according to the length of the work. I wonder if it’s like this for other writers.
I think with novels you really have to think about plot — a lot. I mean you can’t just do character for 400 pages. However, you have to have characters also. Plot with wooden cardboard characters wouldn’t be good plot. There’s got to be a mix in there somewhere. Maybe it’s how the characters interact and show who they are as a character while they’re living and reacting within this fantastic plot you’ve (hopefully) created.
I remember something Matt Damon or Kevin Smith once said: I have no idea how to do plot. My idea of a plot is two guys rob a bank and now they’re on the run. From there on out, it’s all character.
Sure, you need A plot, but that doesn’t mean you’re all about the plot. Plot happens. But people are much more interesting.
I normally write novels, essays, or humorous feature-type articles, so I’m not sure how much plot vs. character my short fiction would have, generally speaking. In fact, I have a hard time writing really short things — something I need to work on. But for novels, I try to have a good dose of both. I like the novels I read to have a fast-paced, enthralling plot, but I also want the characters who are on that journey to be really fleshed out. I want to really root for them on their path to change. I think these days you almost have to have both in good doses for your novel to be highly marketable. But what do I know . . .
KJ
http://interminablewriter.com