Character-Driven Vs. Plot Driven Stories
NY Book Editors explores the debate between plot-driven and character-driven fiction.
Plot-driven stories emphasize fast-paced events, cause-and-effect chains, and external action, with characters advancing the narrative through decisions (example: Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred ).
Character-driven works focus on internal conflicts, motivations, and emotional depth, using plot to reveal complex, flawed individuals (example: Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club ).
Citing E.M. Forster’s definition of plot as causality rather than mere sequence, the article argues neither style is superior.
His simple way to describe Story and Plot:
Story: the king died and then the queen died.
Plot: the king died and then the queen died because of grief.
Effective novels integrate both: strong events need dimensional characters to feel meaningful, while rich characters require real conflict to avoid stagnation. Writers should identify their natural preference and strengthen the weaker element.
[*Note: Summary created by AI | Article Credit: NY Book Editors ]
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