What "Doorway" do you write?

Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by J.T. Woody, May 16, 2019.

Tags:
  1. Alan Aspie

    Alan Aspie Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2018
    Messages:
    2,641
    Likes Received:
    3,358
    Story is about hero wanting something and hitting obstacles.

    Hero = character.
    Wanting = motivation of that character.
    Something = object of the motivation of that character.
     
  2. J.T. Woody

    J.T. Woody Book Witch Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2018
    Messages:
    4,129
    Likes Received:
    8,663
    so, Character?
     
    BayView and Alan Aspie like this.
  3. Some Guy

    Some Guy Manguage Langler Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 2, 2018
    Messages:
    6,738
    Likes Received:
    10,227
    Location:
    The kingdom of scrambled portmanteaus
    Story (if you meant me)
     
    Alan Aspie and Cave Troll like this.
  4. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Messages:
    17,922
    Likes Received:
    27,173
    Location:
    Where cushions are comfy, and straps hold firm.
    Knock twice, ring thrice, then knock twice more. :)
    [​IMG]s
     
    DK3654, Alan Aspie and Some Guy like this.
  5. Some Guy

    Some Guy Manguage Langler Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 2, 2018
    Messages:
    6,738
    Likes Received:
    10,227
    Location:
    The kingdom of scrambled portmanteaus
    Speak, friend, and enter.
     
  6. DK3654

    DK3654 Almost a Productive Member of Society Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2018
    Messages:
    1,244
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Location:
    In the vibe zone
    In both what I read and write, in order: character, story, setting, language.
     
  7. jim onion

    jim onion New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2016
    Messages:
    2,913
    Likes Received:
    3,643
    Mellon.
     
  8. Fernando.C

    Fernando.C Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2015
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    484
    Location:
    Floating in the Cosmere.
    If I had to choose just one it would be Story, because that's my primary interest both as a reader and a writer. But really, my doorway isn't amalgamation of Story and Character. I mostly read and write plot-driven stories but for the plot to work you need compelling, well-written, and fleshed-out characters, because you experience the plot through them and their actions and choices shape and direct the story. If the characters aren't interesting and compelling then it's hard to get invested about the story.

    Setting is very much a secondary element for me. Yeah it's important and adds alot to a story, especially in fantasy which is my primary genre. But without compelling story and characters, a setting now matter how imaginative, is just an empty husk.

    Language is dead last for me. I enjoy a beautiful prose yeah, but it's doesn't matter that much to me. I'm here for the story and the journey it's gonna take me on, the situations and misadventures and conflicts it has in store for the characters. I wanna learn more about the characters and get to know them better and a I care about what they do next and what happens next with the plot. Prose for me only matters, within the context of the story and in its service.
     
    Cephus likes this.
  9. Lifeline

    Lifeline South. Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Messages:
    4,282
    Likes Received:
    5,805
    Location:
    On the Road.
    For me it's character, without question.

    I'm trying to be realistic in my writing, which means I create 'people' to write about. People change their world through choosing actions, and get changed in return by a world that gets changed by other people. The world itself doesn't act. It only changes when made to. Nothing exists outside the story-web, and people, with all their faults and inconsistencies are the driving forces that influence everything. So to me it makes sense to focus on characters first. I decide on setting in response to a few key-scenes that take place through different times in my story. These key-scenes reflect my characters at certain points in their lifes, and I use setting and plot to get from one to the other and to provide the corner stones for the required change in them. And language is how my characters express themselves.
     
    J.T. Woody, deadrats and Cave Troll like this.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice