Novels line the shelves, but what differentiates them from one another besides the obvious? A romance novel isn’t a romance just because it has love. A historical doesn’t get that label just because it’s set in a certain time period (though that helps). As writers, we must understand the one of the fundamental differences between different genres. Hopefully this will help you think more deeply about your story.

Plot-driven vs. Character-driven: definitions

I learned this many years ago when I joined my first writers’ group. Most stories are plot-driven. That means that circumstances, usually beyond the control of your protagonist, propel the story forward. Character-driven means that the protagonist, antagonist, supporting roles and the decisions they make move the story.

Plot-driven

This is your fantasy and historical. The fantasy plot could be the search for a precious scroll. The character (must) go through the heroes journey a.k.a. The Odyssey. They have successes. They have failures. But in the end, the find the scroll and…rule the world? Battle evil? Live happily ever after?

In a historical, there are elements where the forces of history – things that really did happen – make your characters behave or react in a certain way. If in your story, the South wins the Civil War, then we’re talking about historical fantasy. That means that you are still utilizing the historical backdrop as a basis for the story. Again, still plot-driven.

Character-driven

This is the romance. Think Gone with the Wind. Every decision that Scarlett makes affects how the story is going to turn out. If she hadn’t thrown herself at Ashley, would Rhett have found her so amusing? If she hadn’t married that poor fool – what was his name – Charles Hamilton (you know, Mellie’s brother), she wouldn’t have been a widow, wouldn’t have thrown her ring into the collecting bin, which led to Melanie giving up her ring…well, you get the idea. In a romance, the character changes the story, ever step of the way.

Now as a budding writer, ask yourself. Am I more interested in the story? Or am I more interested in the people?

The Story

Clearly every story has elements of both. But what do you care about more? Take some time and look at the work you’ve written. What is the central force, pushing your story to the last page? Is it the people and all that they’ve gone through? Is it the inevitable circumstance that forces a hero to come onto the scene?

In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo didn’t just choose to journey to Mount Doom in Mordor just for a sight-seeing tour. No, the lands needed to be freed, compelling little Frodo to become the hero. In the classic fairytale Cinderella, it wasn’t that the ball was short on guests. No, Cinderalla had to go.

Any good novel will have strong characters and also a strong plot line with everything so well interwoven that you can’t imagine any one thing missing. There will be moments when your characters take center stage. But there will be other times when the action is in the spotlight.

Decide which one fits best with you and is found in your story.

Happy writing!