Earlier this month, Liz posted a compelling blog about Standalone Characters. This made an almost uncanny introduction to the post I had written below, for September. I always re-examine my life in September - remnants of having taught college for over 25 years, no doubt.
So I ask today:
I work hard on plot. I don't start writing until I know the end of my crime novels. Blame it on my short story training, perhaps, where every word must matter. In a novel, I design every scene so it moves the story forward. If it doesn't, out it goes.
Not only that, but I work hard to write a plot readers haven't seen before. And after 60 short stories and 22 crime novels, that's not easy! It takes me at least a year to imagine and write a 75,000 word mystery book.
So I was somewhat taken aback recently, when I asked a number of my readers which books of mine they liked best, and why.
Almost everyone said some version of, "The Pharaoh's Curse Murders. I like the banter between Lucy and Elf, her maid." Or "The Goddaughter books. They're so funny!"
When I tried to pin them down to an actual book, and an actual plot, that got harder. One said, "The book where The Lone Rearranger was introduced." Another, "I really like Nico in The Goddaughter books." Another - "I loved the fashions in The Silent Film Star Murders."
No one mentioned the plot of any of the books.
To say I was surprised is an understatement. All that time creating plots with unique spins? Plots where an astute reader might come to the same conclusion as the protagonist, at the very same time?
But never too soon. The clues must be clever enough, so a reader isn't disappointed. We don't want them to figure out the mystery too soon.
WHAT ABOUT CRIME WRITERS?
And then I talked to some noted crime-writer friends of mine. I asked them the same question. Which of my books did you like best? The answers came fast and furious.
"The one where Lucy shoots the snake. Clever reveal."
"Your latest, the Egyptian one. I loved the unusual and daring ending."
(There were more, but to list them here would be spoilers.)
But they all had one thing in common: they said something about the plot.
So here's what I came away with: Readers remember and fall in love with characters.
Writers love characters too. But they are more apt to point out a clever plot, because they know how hard it is to pull off.
My conclusion: Of course, the best books have both. Good Characters and good plots. I expect readers would notice if the plot was ho-hum. I certainly do.
I write the books I wish someone else would write, so I could read them. I feel blessed when readers like them too.
What about you? How important is plot to your writing? Is plot more important in a short story than a novel?
Compared to Agatha Christie by The Toronto Star, and “Christie-meets-Wodehouse” by Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Melodie Campbell is the winner of 10 awards. Her publications include 22 novels and over 60 short stories. The Pharaoh's Curse Murders, from Cormorant books, has just been released. http://www.melodiecampbell.com
Plot is the ghastly essential of fiction writing !
ReplyDeleteJanice, that is quotable! I laughed out loud.
DeleteI love profound observations like this. It gives me a new perspective on my writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Leone!
DeleteAs an avid reader, my take is that if I enjoyed the book it had a good plot. However what I remember are the characters.
ReplyDeleteThat is the best way I have ever heard, to put it! Thanks Mike.
DeleteThanks for the shout-out on my Standalone Characters blog, Mel. I bet you can guess my answer: as both reader and writer of both novels and short stories, I care more about characters than plot. That said, I bet I woulda been a contender if I could plot as well as I write characters, and writers from whom plot flows freely fill me with awe. But if I don't fall in love with those fictional people, it doesn't matter whether or not I finish the book—either reading it or writing it. And if I don't, what use is the brilliant resolution of the plot?
ReplyDeleteI can relate, Liz. For instance, if I don't like the protagonist, I don't care what happens to them, and won't bother to read further!
DeleteI tried being a writer once, but I realized I can’t, haha. I just can’t figure out how to connect the flow of the story, especially when writing novels. Regards to writers.
ReplyDeletePlot is really important, even in a short story, 'cause it is what makes readers want to hear more from you after finishing it. As a reader, I really like unpredictable plots. Like, you've a theory from the beginning, and there are actually valid clues and proof that support your guess, but in the end, you’re completely wrong. That kind of thing hooks me.
At the same time, an unpredictable plot doesn’t automatically make me like a story if the characters aren’t likable or don’t have any development. Even if the plot is predictable, I can still enjoy it if the characters are well-written and interesting—like when you get attached to them 'cause of their qualities, or even 'cause of how much of an antagonist they are.
Dida, I was just saying to Liz above that if I don't like a protagonist, I won't care what happens to them! So I'm like you, that way. I do hope you find my plot endings unpredictable! smile - I work hard at that.
DeleteIf a book or short story has plot holes or a bad plot, I'll probably remember that. But for the books and stories I enjoy, what I remember are the characters and places I want to return to.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the "places I want to return to" Barb! Yes, I also fall in love with a place or more often, a time and want the stories to go on and on.
DeleteI recall great characterization and I remember great plots, but they seem stored in different parts of my brain on different timelines. Characters from Elizabeth Peters, Lindsey Davis, Janet Evanovich, and Melodie Campbell stick with me a long time. But a very few really clever plots last even longer from, say, Agatha Christie, Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, a couple of Robin Cook stories, and short stories by Dorothy Sayers and Sir Arthru Conan Doyle. So to me, both are important in different ways.
ReplyDelete