July 3, 2008
Plot vs. Character — 24 vs. Lost—Jumping the shark (warning: this post is all over the place)
I was just looking over the books I’ve written and I noticed something interesting. Most of them are character-driven except for the one I’m working on now. It (my current WIP) is a blend of both (plot/character), but I think by the time I get to my final revision, it’ll probably morph into a character-driven book. More often than not, it takes a little less than half a dozen revisions before I really know my story. The plot might meander and get tangled this way and that, but I’m usually able to rein it in with strong character development. I think strong characters can do a lot to save a plot in my eyes, then again, sometimes NOT as you’ll see below.
Anyway, I also noticed that most of the books I buy are character-driven too. The same goes for the shows and movies I watch as well.
Would you say your books are MOSTLY plot or character driven? Or are they a healthy blend of the two? Also, what about the books and movies/shows you enjoy? Are they more character-driven (Lost) or plot-driven (24)?
And speaking of Lost, I have honestly come to believe that the writers have NO idea where they lost the plot. Sure, they’ve got a bunch of strong characters, but they’ve yet to rein their plot in. It’s all over the place. As are the characters. I think they gave up on it at the end of the first season. My DH and I have knock down drag out fights over this. He still watches, convinced (deluded is more like it) that the writers know what they’re doing and are leading us down a well-crafted path. Me? I think they’re all dropping acid. I 
got so disgusted with Lost that I stopped watching, preferring instead for my kids to give me random episode summaries. I honestly believe the writers have painted themselves into a plot corner and are just tossing everything out there, including the kitchen sink in hopes that maybe WE will understand the morass they’ve created. I have actually grown to HATE Lost now because I feel like the viewer is getting jerked around. Ooops. Didn’t mean to go off on a tangent, but I think the title of that show is apropos. The writers are truly LOST! IMHO, it jumped the shark long ago.
This brings me to another question. As a reader/viewer, how much patience do you have? How long before you toss a poorly plotted book against the wall? Ever walk out of a movie? Or abandon a show you really enjoyed because of plot quagmire(s)? Has a show/book/movie ever jump the shark for you? If so, how? (If it’s a book, no titles please.)
Yeah, I know, I’m all over the place this week. I blame it on LOST! DH had the nerve to rent the first season from Blockbuster. Why is he torturing himself? Just thinking about that show sends me into a mental pretzel.
I’m probably not the ideal person to respond here, since I’ve only seen a few stray episodes of Lost…but wth…
Not sure about my writing being a balance of characters and plots, but I’d like to think so, lol. In reading, the character-driven books better have interesting characters, or I’ll bail. And if it’s plot-driven, and I get LOST or feel like it’s sloppy, I’m gone.
Shows? I do like the plot-driven stuff. I get enough of other people’s issues at the sucky day job.
How long before you toss a poorly plotted book against the wall? Ever walk out of a movie? Or abandon a show you really enjoyed because of plot quagmire(s)?
Wallbanger–depends. Sometimes I get a perverse pleasure out of seeing how messy it can get.
Walk out of a movie? Yup. And got my money back.
Abandon a show? Don’t watch that many, I’m afraid. But I think I definitely would.
>>I think they’re all dropping acid.
My books? I’d say character though I am seeing plot become a bigger issue as I progress. I NEED a bigger plot–to write bigger books.
Books I read? probably a healthy dose of both. Movies — I’ll take either I’m really easy. TV shows….probably character but could be well balanced. Here’s somethign funny for you though. I watched the first four or five seasons of ALIAS back to back–Sydney whines/cries a lot when you do that.
Also same for 24…and you know 24 comes off very episodic when you watch it back to back.
For me it’s HEROES–its’ a great balance of character and plot IMO
I dont think I’ve ever read/seen anything that jumped the shark–though I will admit that Lost is pretty on the edge *nods to you*
Books get about 30-50 pages. It takes a lot to piss me off with books and most of the books that are DNF’s for me are MEH (I know I’ve said it before). Though this year I’ve actually had two that were so bad I wanted to take lighter fluid and a match to them. This is VERY VERY rare for me (I actually blogged abt it–same imprint, same publishing house, different authors. Thought my head would explode).
Never walked out of a movie, but I have very little patience with cheese so I usually skip the older cheesy movies.
I’d like to think my stories are a heavy mix of both. In my mind I have a clear plot that I try to follow be it flow or activity, but at the same time I want to have a smartallicky mix of folks executing said plot.
For me it’s HEROES–its’ a great balance of character and plot IMO
YES!! It has both. You have a complex story line and even more complex characters!
never seen Lost (except part of the most recent finale) Never seen 24 at all…so I can’t say.
Cece,
I must be ADD because I don’t think I’ve ever given a book 30 pages, much less 50. I think the most I’ve done was ten. I have the attention span and patience of a toddler.
Raine,
I just wish I had the patience to stick things out with a book. I fear I may have passed up some good books that may just take a while to get into. But like I told Cece, I don’t have a lot of patience and my attention span is nil.
Dennie,
DH is a rabid fan of heroes. I used to watch it and wonder how long that girl was going to wear that cheerleader outfit. I mean, she always seemed to have it on.