Writer’s Question: Plot or character?
Another writing question: Do you consider yourself more of a character writer or a plot writer?
Or another way of asking it — when you go at crafting a story, do you start with character or plot?
UPDATE: I find these posts most interesting. The focus of my question, as I saw it, was to get a general sense from folks which part of the story-crafting process they more naturally gravitated toward — character or plot. And yes, I will grant that it is an artificial, even unfair distinction for some people. But for many writers I know, they acknowledge they tilt one way or the other.
That can change over time. I was much more plot-oriented when I started working as a screenwriter, but over time have become rather character-obsessed.
Another interesting point that arose in comments is about a writer’s moment of initial inspiration and an ensuing discussion about the difference between ‘concept’ and ‘plot.’ That actually raises another question… but I think I’ll save that for another time.
But I must say, we’ve got an intriguing group congregating here. And I’m always interested in talking about writing, the creative process, and all the rest.