: Re: How often do writers develop characters before plot, and why? As someone who writes a little as a hobby, this is something that I haven't really thought about until just recently, but... Is

@Frith254

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Characters drive the story. That's why most (not all) writers and lecturers out there will tell you that the characters should be developed first. With all the tics and quirks which make them human.

The next thing is the conflict. The main character wants some candy, but the evil fairy has stolen it. How can he get the candy without shooting the fairy, because she is his aunt, and he does not want family trouble? Oh, and if it is the main conflict, he really should want this candy. He must be dying (or the fairy) to get it.

Authentic characters are the key part which let readers turn page after page. If they feel with the character, identify with them, they will read "just one more page". Your plot has probably been told one way or the other one thousand times before (which does not mean it can be crappy).

Because characters are so important, many writers start with them. Then they let them something do and look how the story develops. But for that, you should have the conflict as described before. (And no, that's not necessarily the best way to develop a story, but neither the worst. It depends on the writer.)

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