"What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?"
This is a bit of a toughie because I am neither for or against either option. Really I think there needs to be a balance of the two. Without an interesting cast of characters a sublime plot can fall short, but at the same time I rarely enjoy a book that is devoid of plot yet filled with prose devoted to the characters. As Jennifer from Crazy-for-Books says in her own answer it is usually the plot synopsis on the back of a book that encourages you to buy/hire that book, but I think it is the characters which make the novel linger in your head. With some of the books that have had the greatest impact on me I can barely remember more than the basic plot but I remember the character(s) who truly made an impression on me crystal clear. Yet with others the characters are necessary and important yet it is the plot or the themes of the novel that make the greatest impression on me, like Harry Potter for instance. I love the characters in that series, but it is the progression of the plot through the seven books that are the most important factor of that series, at least in my eyes.
So basically I'm going to sit on the fence with this one, what do you think?
Good answer. I think we're all agreed that the best books combine the best of plot and character...
ReplyDeleteGood answer. I usually lean more towards the characters, but I think plot is important too.
ReplyDeleteHI new follower I have to agree with you , sitting on the fence, giving me a headache trying to figure this one out lol. Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteMy Follow Friday/Book Blogger Hop
Joining you from over at the Book Blogger Hop, it's nice to have met you, I've enjoyed my visit.
ReplyDeleteA driving plot pulls me in but you are right that it is the characters we remember or at least don't want to let go of. And it is character that makes a series. Sometimes it is what is going to happen from a cliff hanger but very often it is what is going to happen to the character that makes me buy the next book (immediately if it online). I am probably of poor moral character but often it is whether a character is going to hook up with another character romantically. Oh, I am so shallow! But I am a new follower!!
ReplyDeleteFangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
Twitter: @fangswandsfairy
Don't fall! Sorry... bad joke... heh ^.^
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jenni, I lean more towards characters.
Sniffly Kitty
Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
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I prefer characters over plot. But both are important. I'm a new follower. Happy Blog Hop.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday Blog Hop! I'm your newest follower. I have trouble with this questions also. Drop by my blog and see what I chose:)
ReplyDeleteLove your side panels.
ReplyDeleteHopping by from the blog hop.
Lots of good answers to this week's tough question.
Stop by my blog to see my answer to this week's question.
Also check out a design site I found...pretty neat home decorating ideas...it is in the right side panel on my blog.
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
Happy Holidays!!