Characters or Story – Which Comes First?

A number of articles about writing for children, and other genres suggest knowing your characters inside and out before beginning the story. In fact, information suggests that the author builds the story around the characters once they are fully developed.

While this is good advice, and many experienced authors recommend this technique, there are some authors who occasionally watch their characters unveil themselves right before their eyes.

This is such an interesting method of writing. Your character introduces himself, gradually reveals bits and pieces, and blossoms as the story moves along. Sometimes, a story doesn’t begin with this intent, it just happens. This is known as the seat-of-you-pants method of writing.

You do need to be careful with this method, though, as you may lose track of all the bits and pieces that make up the character. So, a good way to keep track of those quirky telltale marks, expressions, behavior patterns, and physical features is to note them on a separate page or character card as they become unveiled. You wouldn’t want your character to have brown eyes in one chapter and blue eyes in another unless it’s a science fiction or paranormal and part of the storyline.

So, is there a right or wrong answer to which comes first, characters or story? That depends on the writer.

While it may be important to know your characters and even have a family and background established for them, even if they are not used in the story, you can also become acquainted as you go along. As your story develops, you may find out if the character is fearful or heroic in certain situations. Sometimes, it’s impossible to know this about a person, let alone a character, until circumstances create the possibility of the question.

It is one’s environment and circumstances that help develop his or her characteristics, fears, hopes, and so on. The same holds true for your character.

Using an example: How would a child who had never seen a mouse react to one? There’s no way to answer that question until it happens.

So, having the story help develop the character can be a useful strategy. But, again, be sure to keep track of all the new features your character unveils along the way.

I usually come up with the story idea before getting into the characters. Then, I let the characters unfold and develop as I go along.

How do you write? Story first or characters?

MORE ON FICTION WRITING

How Do You Make a Good Story Worth of Getting Past the Gatekeeper
Learning to Write for Children – It’s More Than Just ABC
Is Your Manuscript Ready for Submission?

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