What is a character-driven plot?

Answer 1

Most new writers know what they want to have happen in a story--that is, they have some events that they want to have happen--but they have problems integrating character and conflict. Thus they are likely to begin by simply having something happen for no particular reason except to start the plot.

However, if the protagonist _does something_ that sets the plot in motion, the story is considered more complex and sophisticated (in most readers' eyes "better") than if the antagonist acts first, and the protagonist only reacts. Disaster stories are not considered complex or sophisticated because nothing the protagonist does tempts or instigates the hurricane to come, the volcano to blow, the earthquake to happen. The protagonist can only react after the fact, no matter how heroically.

If the protagonist sets out to do something for himself, his family, his friends, or his community, and whatever he does causes the antagonist to decide to attack the protagonsit or the community, the story is considered "better." The more integrated the protagonist's action and the antagonist's response, the better. It's often only tenuously associated in children's stories--Dorothy only wants to save her dog and see a better world than her dustbowl farm. Somehow, her wish comes true--but it is sheer accident that her house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, causing the Wicked Witch of the West to become her enemy.

But the Little Mermaid (original or Disney version) brings all her troubles on herself by literally loving out of her element. The so-called wicked witch in _that_ story merely informs her of the price she must pay--symbolic prices of her voice (language--she is going into a country where she does not know the language, and pain when she walks--she insists on attempting to do something she was never designed for). But this witch is not an antagonist--she only provides information which allows the Little Mermaid to make her choice. It is a "better" story because the cause of her problems and the driving force of the plot is _her own desires and actions_, nothing else. Of course the 19th and the 20th centuries have different views of the possibility of successfully loving outside one's natural environment, hence the two different endings, but in either version this story is an excellent example of a protagonist-driven plot

Answer 2

The ultimate character-driven story is a diary. Things happen in a character-driven story because that is what the characters are inclined to do. This doesn't necessary make the story of one kind or another - the real world has spies as well as bookkeepers, after all. But it does tend to suggest a very strong characterization, complete and interesting characters, and few completely wacky external events.

'Catcher in the Rye' is probably a very good example of a character driven story. It is SO character-driven that to some people it has no discernable plot whatsoever... it just seems like 'a few days in the life' of Holden Caulfield. A non-fiction comparison might (as I mentioned) be a biography (and I've read some fascinating biographies).

If a story is not character-driven, it's usually plot-driven. This suggests that things are going to happen whether the characters like them or not. Perhaps the most extreme version of a plot-driven story is the news: events occur and who is involved in many of them is almost entirely beside the question. Such stories may focus instead on epic, sweeping events that involve many characters who may or may not be well fleshed-out. Often if you have enough action, you hardly need more than a stereotypical character (a.k.a. almost any Indiana Jones movie).

Of the two, character-driven stories usually get more respect. Many of the best novels incorporate elements of both!

Answer 3

a plot that centers around the characters themselves, as in character development and character interactions, etc.

Answer 4

instead of "guy is on the run from bad guys" or "group is fighting for freedom"

you have "family struggles with itself" or "boy grows up"

it is not focused on events so much as the things people say and do to each other on a personal basis.

Answer 5

now that rite there is a sexy question!!!