“What’s the difference between plot-driven stories and character-driven stories?” < this is a question frequently Googled by curious writers everywhere. The problem is, most writers don’t talk about the fact that all good stories are character-driven.
Why? Because characters are the skin in which the reader lives as they experience your story. Without the characters, we don’t have a story. But the most tragic thing is when a writer uses their characters as a proverbial punching bag for their plot. As we know, external conflict (the plot) is about what happens – but internal conflict (the story) is about why it matters. Without internal conflict, your story can be summed up as “a bunch of stuff happens, with no real impact on the characters, the audience, or the world.”
Plot-driven stories may be entertaining for a while – but only because our brain allows us to immediately empathize with characters as if we are experiencing what they are experiencing. Beyond that, plot-driven stories don’t impact us. For the simple reason that they don’t impact the characters.
This is a topic I’ve been wanting to delve into for a LONG time, so… I made a video about it! (Shocker, right?) In this video we explore:
- the difference between character driven vs plot driven stories
- how your brain reacts to plot-driven stories (hello mirror neurons!)
- why character-driven stories win – every time
- how to find the balance between internal conflict and external conflict
- real examples of plot driven and character driven stories (yes, action/adventure can be character-driven too!)
Let’s talk.
Let’s talk plot vs characters! What is YOUR favorite character-driven story? Bonus points if it’s an action/adventure story or something that doesn’t SEEM like it would be character-driven!
If you liked this episode of WritersLife Wednesday, please share it with a writer friend! Also be sure to subscribe to my channel to get new videos every Wednesday all about writing, publishing, and making your author dreams come true.
Rock on,
Abbie
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