Jun 23 • General discussion
Are Your Characters Architects or Passengers?
Hey everyone,
I just came across a fantastic article that flips the traditional writing process on its head, and I had to share the core idea here.
You can read the full piece on LinkedIn here:
We often think of plot as the skeleton of our story, and we create characters to fit into its bones. But what if we're looking at it backward? What if our characters are the true architects, and the plot is simply the house they build?
The article argues that the most compelling narratives emerge organically from the depths of our characters.
The "Gold" That Builds Your Story
The central idea is to stop thinking of character creation as a simple data-entry task and start seeing it as the foundational act of storytelling. Before you even think about your outline, you should be mining for character "gold." This includes:
- Their Deepest Fears: What keeps them up at night? This isn't just flavor text; it's the raw material for future plot twists.
- Their Hidden Flaws: The imperfections that make them human are also what will force them into conflict and action.
- Their Core Needs: What must they overcome internally? This need will directly shape their character arc and the story's trajectory.
- Their Defining Secrets: What hidden truth could shatter their world or transform their relationships?
How Character Details Become the Plot
This is where the magic happens. When you have this level of detail, the story starts to write itself:
- A hero's profound fear of abandonment organically becomes a pivotal plot point where they must face that fear in a high-stakes scenario.
- The intricate web of relationships you've established naturally sparks the conflicts, rivalries, and romantic entanglements that drive the narrative forward.
- Your character's internal struggle becomes the engine for the entire plot, ensuring their growth is the story's central driving force.
By focusing on this character-first approach, the story feels more authentic, the characters act with consistency, and readers get hooked because they're on a journey with a real, complex individual.
The article highlights that this is the methodology behind the "Instant Author" tool, but the principle is universal and can be applied by any writer, with or without AI.
So, let's discuss! 👇
- What's your process? Do you build your plot first or your characters?
- Thinking about your current WIP, what is one "juicy detail" (a fear, flaw, or secret) about your main character that you could turn into a major plot point?
Let's workshop some ideas in the comments
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Are Your Characters Architects or Passengers?
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