Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition by Jeff Gerke (PDF)

Description

What’s more important to a story: a gripping plot or compelling characters? Literary-minded novelists argue in favor of character-based novels while commercial novelists argue in favor of plot-based stories, but the truth of the matter is this: The best fiction is rich in both.Enter Plot Versus Character. This hands-on guide to creating a well-rounded novel embraces both of these crucial story components. You’ll learn to: • Create layered characters by considering personality traits, natural attributes, and backgrounds • Develop your character’s emotional journey and tie it to your plot’s inciting incident • Construct a three-act story structure that can complement and sustain your character arc • Expose character backstory in a manner that accentuates plot points • Seamlessly intertwine plot and character to create a compelling page-turner filled with characters to whom readers can’t help but relate • And much more Filled with helpful examples and friendly instruction, Plot Versus Character takes the guesswork out of creating great fiction by giving you the tools you need to inject life into your characters and momentum into your plots.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I read lots of writing books. I don’t always have time to write but I can read while I’m brushing my teeth–it lets me keep my mind in the game. I recognize that many writing books are valuable because they speak to a certain person at a certain time but I think I can easily recommend this book to many beginning and intermediate authors.The title of this book is designed to suck you in and then surprise you with the idea that both Plot and Character are crucial to a well rounded book. I’m happy the community is finally recognizing that while many books that do one or the other well can be fun, it’s the books that do both well that become transcendent.I found the character construction to be the most useful and innovative part of this book. Many books give you a checklist of questions to answer (favorite wine, name of childhood dog) all of which might be useful to keep your facts straight but really doesn’t go beyond clothing the character. Jeff Gerke’s approach of using the Myers-Briggs personality to get at the heart of your main characters really made me think a lot harder about characters that I already knew a lot about. How would this person react in this scenario has a whole lot more to do with their character (pun intended) than their childhood dog.I found the plot section of the book less helpful but that’s because I found K.M. Weiland’s books and blogs last year and they make a lot of sense to me. Much of the content is quite similar. Gerke uses a different definition of ACT 1 & 2 and he rejects the more structure approach but ultimately their character arcs and plot arcs cover the same ground. If you read Gerke first you might find K.M. Weiland to be repetitious.I wish I’d had this book sooner…but then I might not have been as ready to read it.

⭐This book is a wonderful tool to have access to on your writing book shelf. While Gerke’s approach is that there are two kinds of writers, (Character writers and Plot writers), I find myself somewhere in between the two. I create both easily, but both lack the depth they could potentially have. I have skimmed the book and read sections. I’ve also started going through the process by which he suggests to create characters.So far, I am finding that my characters feel so much more alive than they were before I started this process. He is giving me some ways to think about my characters that I haven’t thought about before, I can certainly appreciate that. My characters are even beginning to suggest some directions for my story to go.My only complaint about the book, is that if you are like me and writing historical fiction, his ways of suggesting things to think about your character are all very contemporary. He occasionally references us historical writers, but it gets a bit tiring having to translate the questions to fit our period. But if you are willing to work through that part, this book will be a great help!

⭐I found this book worked on a deeper level than some others I have read on the same topic. A more in depth definition of character building concepts. It delves more deeply into psychoanalysis of what makes people the way they are and how traits seem to be grouped in sections which the author identifies byascribing letters to them. I need to investigate this concept further but can understand how possession ofthis knowledge would undoubtedly produce very realistic characters. I bought the book primarily to help me to make my people less like stick figures and more human beings, I will have to spend a bit more time and thought to incorporating the advice given in the book to give form and life to my characterisation. As the author explains most authors are either good with plotting or character presentation but not generally good at both. Hopefully I will have developed more realistic people in my next novel by the time I have read this in depth book several more times.

⭐I have started writing a few short stories since I retired and having been a laboratory and science oriented person since college I felt a book on such a topic might be of value. I was correct. For before I read this plot and character were just a mishmash in my head, much like a vegetable of peas and carrots next to the mashed potato. Author Gerke separates the peas from the carrots and counts and defines them and their role in the health of your writing. We need both in our attempt at writing and the two help to develop each other. A plate of only peas or carrots might still be eaten but would not be as colorful, as interesting or as well balanced nutritionally. Gerke believes, and I agree, that we are either plot driven or character driven by our personality and tend to be strong in one and weak in the other. His goal is to teach you how to strengthen your weak hand and I think he does so wonderfully. I recommend this book highly.

⭐Do you have flat, one-dimensional characters running madly towards the climax of your story? Or do you have amazing, fully fleshed out characters with nothing to do other than twiddle their thumbs? How do you create memorable characters with an exciting plot that will have your readers remembering your book long after they finish it?Plot versus Character has the answer.Plot versus Character is unlike most books I have read on writing. Most go on to detail the nuts and bolts of writing, but Jeff gets to the heart of the matter: the story. He pinpoints exactly what will make your main character relatable: the inner conflict (or knot as he calls it). Step by step he helps you create that flawed character.But Jeff doesn’t stop there. He also shows you how to weave the inner journey of your character into the plot. You character will not only be racing through the outer circumstances you push him through (whether that is running from the bad guys or trying to get the girl to like him), but changing on the inside as well. That is what will make your character relatable. And that is what your readers will remember.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been wondering what their story is lacking but couldn’t put their finger on it.

⭐This is a book I return to over and over again. If you’re someone who has ever struggled with creating interesting, different characters, this is the place to start. It gives you a simple, step-by-step process based on real psychology and temperaments, and then takes it a step further by adding traits, histories and dynamics until your character feels alive. Once that is sorted, you will move on to use the character to create a story. Jeff’s voice is so entertaining, it doesn’t feel like a chore, but an engaging conversation with a passionate artist, working to help you succeed. This is a book that you can skim through or work through, and every time you will get something new out of it.

⭐i picked this uop at my local library and found it so good i had to buy a copy. its innovative and simple to follow and was instrumental in getting my chatachters and plot together. i highly reccommend it for all budding authors.

⭐I read The Irresistible Novel also by Jeff Gerke, and it was so good I wanted to read more of Jeff’s craft books. This one did not disappoint. I’m still not sure if I’m a plot first or character first writer, but this book opened my eyes to new ideas in both areas. I can’t wait to start planning my next book! Jeff offers many tips for improving character arcs as well as what’s happening in your story so that character and plot combine to form the best story possible.

⭐It’s very detailed, gives you good and deep insight on characters and plot development. This book should be on your list.

Keywords

Free Download Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition in PDF format
Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition PDF Free Download
Download Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition 2010 PDF Free
Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition 2010 PDF Free Download
Download Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition PDF
Free Download Ebook Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction 1st Edition