A step-by-step guide for Character Driven Vs. Plot Driven Stories | Blog

Apr 28, 2022

What's the difference between character driven and. plot driven stories? Why does it matter when you're creating?

The following article will go over the fundamentals of both narrative viewpoints. Before that, let's take a peek at an explanation of what sets the two types apart: Character-driven stories focus on the protagonists and their thinking, their arcs as well as internal transformations, whereas narratives that are plot driven are mostly focussed on things that happen and the reasons and consequences of actions as well as external shifts.

For what the actual will appear like when utilized in real life There are plenty of things to think about. In this piece we'll look at the primary differences between narrative driven vs. stories driven by characters. This article will also cover various suggestions taken from the real world that can be applied to bring either of them the center of your next project.

What exactly is a Character Driven story?

Books, films, and characters-driven films, as well as short stories have one thing in common: they position the struggles and perspectives of the characters in the main focus of the film.

Character-driven stories are those that make you feel emotionally. The stories that are character-driven will leave you up feeling like you know the protagonist. And there are some wonderful examples of this both in traditional and modern story telling.

Illustrations from Character Driven Stories

It's likely that you've been through a lot of character driven stories, and many perhaps you didn't have any idea about it. Here are some great stories that are literary:

  • Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Excellentby Gail Honeyman
  • The American Marriageby Tayari Jones
  • The Catcher in The Ryeby J.D. Salinger
  • Loving in the Time of Choleraby Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  • Big Little Liesby Liane Moriarty
  • The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
  • The Secret Historiesby Donna Tartt
  • A Gentleman in Moscowby Amor Towles

Is the Harry Potterplot driven by the characters or is it driven by them? Which one is more intriguing, Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings? The best way to determine your answer is to look at how much you were influenced by the characters, rather than particular events they experienced. If yes, then the piece was likely character-driven (though some of these cases may be misleading since you could argue they're both character driven andplot driven, long and wide in the sense they're).

How to write an exciting story that includes the characters

The novels that are character driven and other narrative formats share a few fundamental elements. If you can learn these basics then you'll have the ability to write with a character-driven viewpoint and create captivating stories that bring readers through an experience that is equally external and internal.

Begin here:

1. Create a backstory for your characters.

2. Verify the possibility of conflict

It is true that stories is centered around individuals doesn't mean there's nothing important happening. Consider a conflict that is significant, be sure to focus on the struggle within which takes place during the course of the conflict instead of only the changes and ups within the narrative. It is the main point of focus that should be the change, and this can't be achieved without some kind of tension.

3. Give Your Character A Clear View

What does your character think of the current events taking place in their lives? Equally important to giving your character a battle within it is important to make sure that readers feel as part of your character's journey as they change and grow, instead of just watching them change as an objective non-believer.

4. Be Honest to the integrity of your character

The term "out out of character" is one that is true. You must ensure that your character doesn't act in a way that isn't the norm as a way to propel your story into the direction you want it to go. It will erode the credibility of your tale and may cause people to be turned off.

Write your own personal story with the help of our teacher of the original Gayle Forman.

What is a plot Driven story?

The stories that are plot-driven don't have a shortage of characters. However, you'll be able to learn a lot more about what the characters do than they're thinking. Fantasy and mysteries tend to adhere to this idea well, taking readers to an environment that is based in major part on narrative elements and the plot's elements.

A few examples from Plot Driven Stories

If you're interested in action, fantasy and romance, sci-fi, or mystery, then you're probably an avid reader of stories with a plot. Below are some examples of literature that could help explain how this type of tale looks:

  • Ready Player Oneby Ernest Cline
  • Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
  • Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
  • The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
  • 1Q84by Haruki Murakami
  • The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

All of the stories are notable not just because of the characters but the events that transpire to the characters. Therefore, it is common to see plot driven stories that are part of an ongoing story with the same characters finding themselves in a variety of new and different situations.

How to write an outline for Tell a Story

1. Before you begin, write down the story you want to tell.

2. Raise the Stakes

An uninteresting story that is plodding along at a steady pace isn't likely to attract readers. Use actions, settings, and characters to propel your story in a direction that the reader didn't anticipate. The greater the stakes you place and the higher stakes, the more involved your readers are likely be.

3. Make it interesting

Most great plot driven stories contain a twist to the plot. An individual twisty unplanned plot twist can be a sure possibility to keep viewers interested and make them talk about it afterwards too.

4. Indicate Cause and Effect

These stories must be more than an array of happenings that take place sequentially. There must be a causal connection connecting the tales together--i.e. this happened because of this happened, not that this took place in turn this occurred. This is a small but significant modification, which will help your tale to become more authentic and thrilling.

When you've all the fundamentals down, it's now time to start writing. Remember that you don't have to compose an entire tale your plot or characters. The plot of a story can (and should) include strong characters and some of the best-loved stories with characters have a captivating story.

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