Character and plot: inseparable

I thought I’d briefly discuss the importance character plays in terms of plot.  This is something my first manuscript really lacks, and I’m determined to get it right the second time through.

Essentially, the plot should force the MC to act, but the actions he/she chooses are dictated by who the character is and what he/she wants.  The decisions in turn affect the plot, and ultimately, the character will be forced to resolve some sort of internal conflict because of the plot’s external forces.

Sounds complicated, so let me use an example to illustrate this idea:

This is the plot at the beginning, the external force:

Hamlet’s father (the king) has been killed by Claudius (the king’s brother).  The ghost of his father appears before Hamlet and tells him to avenge the death.

Here’s Hamlet’s character:

He’s studious and deliberate.  He doesn’t make a decision until he’s really thought it through.

So, here’s how his character acts based on the external force:

He decides not to act, but to look into it some more.  He finds out it was true, but still doesn’t act.  Oh, and then he moans and groans about it for awhile and everyone thinks he’s crazy.

His decision affects the direction of the external forces because:

Claudius gets worried and starts sending out various minions to report on Hamlet’s activities.  More people die as a result (if you want specifics, read the play).

This direction of external events forces the MC to resolve his/her inner conflict and thereby resolve the external conflict:

Hamlet realizes that he has to act or more people will die.  He finally gets his revenge and kills Claudius…but unfortunately, he bites the dust as well.

The important thing about these events is that prior to a certain point, Hamlet could not change himself.  He was deliberate and intellectual, so action without lots of consideration just wouldn’t have suited him.  If Hamlet had been a more impulsive person, then maybe no one would have died except Claudius.  The character and the plot together propel the events of the story.

The MC has a characteristic, a sort of default reaction to situations—a default reaction that hinders the character in some way.  Maybe up until this point, the default reaction has always worked for the MC.  Hamlet’s thoughtfulness worked just fine for him in school, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

So, what if Hamlet’s default reaction had been immediate action with little deliberation?  How would that have changed the plot?  **By the way, I’m being very hypothetical and taking major liberties with Shakespeare here.  My apologies if it disturbs you.**

This is the plot at the beginning, the external force:

Hamlet’s father (the king) has been killed by Claudius (the king’s brother).  The ghost of his father appears before Hamlet and tells him to avenge the death.

Here’s Hamlet’s new character:

He’s impulsive, too prone to act and worry about consequences later.  It’s never been a problem before (heck, he’s a prince!).

So, here’s how his character acts based on the external force:

He sees the ghost, grabs his sword, and starts running through castle screaming for the blood of his uncle.

His decision affects the direction of the external forces because:

His mother, who is now married to Claudius, panics and confronts her son. Maybe there’s a tussle and Mama accidentally ends up on the wrong end of the sword.  Oh no!  People try to stop him (because clearly he’s lost his mind), some more people die, and he is eventually subdued and thrown in the dungeon.

This direction of external events forces the MC to resolve his/her inner conflict and thereby resolve the external conflict:

Hamlet realizes that needs to slow down, to plan before acting.  He devises a plan while sitting in that cell, and when he’s taken out for his execution, he manages to briefly break free and kill Claudius…but unfortunately, he bites the dust as well (that has to happen, it’s a tragedy, ok?).

Does my point make sense?  Who the character is (his/her personality/motivation/flaws) dictates how the external events unfold.  The plot should

• provide the incentive for the character to act (the start of the novel)
• should force him/her into situations where he/she must decide what to do, and his/her decisions will change the possible outcomes of the plot
• should transform his/her default reaction into the “correct” action that solve the plot’s conflicts.

By Act 3, we see they’ve grown as a person and can therefore behave in the best way for the best outcome (unless it’s a tragedy, of course).

I definitely lacked this in my first manuscript.  The plot wasn’t necessarily the best way to teach my MC how to resolve her inner demons, and her inner conflict didn’t necessarily fit with the plot events.  I was trying to mash the two (character and plot) together, but…in the end, that doesn’t work.  The reader will know I’ve forced it.

For seamless plot and character weaving, think like this:

• What is the worst thing that can happen to my MC and how will his/her inner conflict propel the conflict until the end?

Or

• Who is the best sort of MC that will make these events in my plot happen and provide enough conflict to propel the plot until the end?

Happy writing and have a lovely weekend!

-S.

No Asian pop today (I missed my show last night!!).  Instead, I’ll share my favorite part of Disney’s Fantasia, which also happens to be one of my favorite compositions.  Behold, the Dance of the Hours:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pbQdtkbCcQ]