Voices of Fiction - Character versus Plot - Part Four

Welcome to another edition of Voices of Fiction.

We have another great group of writers here to discuss ‘Character versus Plot’

Please welcome our guest.

Barbara Ehrentreu, a retired teacher with a Masters degree in Reading and Writing K-12 and seventeen years of teaching experience lives with her family in Stamford, Connecticut. When she received her Masters degree she began writing seriously. If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, Barbara’s first YA novel, published by MuseItUp Publishing was inspired by Paula Danziger. Her novel is also available on Amazon for Kindle and paperback, Barnes & Noble for both paperback and Nook, Smashwords, Omnilit and of course The Muse Bookstore. In addition, Barbara has a story in Lavender Dreams, a memorial anthology for which all the proceeds go to cancer research. She has three poems in Prompted: An International Collection of Poems by the Anthologists for which all the proceeds go to Literacy research. Her blog, Barbara’s Meanderings, http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com/, is networked on both Facebook and Blog Catalog. She hosts Red River Writers Live Tales from the Pages on Blog Talk Radio every 4th Thursday. In addition, her children's story, “The Trouble with Follow the Leader” and an adult story, “Out on a Ledge” are published online. She has written book reviews for Authorlink.com. and several of her reviews have been on Acewriters and Celebrity Café. She is a member of SCBWI. Writing is her life! Blog, Facebook, Twitter 

Jade Varden is the author of the Deck of Lies series, a collection of YA mystery books that show what happens when dark family secrets are exposed. Jade also provides professional writing tips to other indie authors on her blog. Blog, Twitter


 

Karina Kantas is the author of five titles, including Huntress which is published by MMP. She originates from the UK but now lives in Greece with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Website




Pat Andres - author of MAGGIE: A SAVANNAH DOG, Roseanna the Savannah Squirrel, LOVE FROM the ASHES, and It’s Hard to Be Crystal: Life in the Tranny Lane. Website

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" Blog, Blog, Link


Welcome Authors! It’s wonderful to have you back for another round.

Now the question is: What comes first, the character or the plot?

Barbara Ehrentreu: For me I think it's a little bit of both. I'll think of a character and/or a plot and then develop it into a story. Sometimes the character comes from my own life and sometimes the plot does too. In my first novel I based the character on a family member and the plot was taken from this person's existence. In my second novel I used my own husband's heart attack and bypass surgery with the plot. The characters came afterward as I fitted them into the story. In my third novel it was all character-based at first.

Jade Varden: Usually, the main character comes first. Once I know who that person is, I can start manipulating them through various events.

Karina Kantas: It's the basic plot and story line that I have before a character enters my head. Once I know who he/she is, I allow them to come alive on the page and I start putting myself in their situations.

Pat Andres: Characters usually come first for me.

Vicki Batman: Character because the character says something. But quickly move to plot. I like to play "What if???" So when I get my spark, I usually go "What if???" and continue writing from there. If I get stuck, I try "What if???" again and take off.

Thank you all for joining us today and sharing your techniques.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

(Disclaimer - Bios and answers have been posted as submitted by author) 

Part One
Part Two
Part Three