Plot or Character-Driven Stories
Updates for books for children, phone wallpapers for The Backup Superhero and Anywhere Else and Indie Reads
The practice of creating an interesting and gripping story is in the details, correct?
It’s a combination of the plot, the characters, the motives, and everything in between that formulate a story that readers can grab onto. However, it’s not always easy to achieve, is it?
So, why not ask the question: Which makes a story better? A plot-driven story or a character-driven story?
Whether you’re outlining your first novel or revising your tenth, understanding the difference between a plot-driven story and a character-driven story is a powerful tool.
Knowing which element drives your narrative can sharpen your focus, guide your revisions, and help you connect with your readers more intentionally.
What Does “Driven” Mean, Anyway?
In storytelling, something always drives the narrative forward. The tension, movement, and transformation in a story don’t just happen — they’re pushed along by either external events (plot) or internal shifts (character).
Think of it like this:
In a plot-driven story, the character reacts to events.
In a character-driven story, the events unfold because of the character’s decisions, flaws, or desires.
Let’s break this down further.
Plot-Driven Stories: When the Story Moves the Character
Plot-driven stories are all about momentum. The external world throws obstacles, mysteries, or high-stakes situations at your characters, and they must respond. The character’s arc is often secondary to the unfolding of the plot.
📌 Examples:
The Hunger Games — Katniss is forced into a deadly competition and must survive.
The Martian — Mark Watney must survive on Mars using science and wit.
Gone Girl — The mystery and manipulation drive the story forward.
In these stories, the reader is pulled by the question: What happens next?
Pros:
Grabs attention quickly
Builds suspense and tension
Great for genre fiction: thrillers, mysteries, sci-fi, horror, action
Caution for writers:
If you lean too hard on the plot, your characters may feel like set pieces instead of real people. Readers may enjoy the ride but forget the passengers.
Character-Driven Stories: When the Character Moves the Story
In a character-driven story, the heart of the narrative is the character’s internal journey. The plot exists not as a string of dramatic events, but as a vehicle to test, challenge, or reveal something about the character. These stories often focus on emotional resonance, relationships, and personal change.
📌 Examples:
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine — Eleanor’s transformation drives the entire story.
The Bell Jar — The plot mirrors the protagonist’s psychological spiral.
Little Fires Everywhere — The decisions of deeply flawed characters cause slow-burning conflict.
In these stories, the reader is asking: How will this experience change them?
Pros:
Creates intimacy and depth
Ideal for exploring identity, morality, relationships, or trauma
Perfect for literary fiction, coming-of-age, or contemporary drama
Caution for writers:
Without external momentum, these stories can feel slow or meandering. Make sure emotional stakes are clear and rising — even if explosions aren’t going off.
How to Tell What’s Driving Your Story
Ask yourself:
If I removed the main character and replaced them with someone similar, would the story still play out the same way? If yes, it’s probably plot-driven.
Are the biggest turning points caused by something the character does, or by something that happens to them?
Does the tension come from what’s happening, or from what the character feels about what’s happening?
Remember: this isn’t an either/or situation. The best stories blend both
✍️ A murder mystery (plot) becomes more memorable when the detective is emotionally compromised (character).
✍️ A slow-burn romance (character) gains energy when a big external deadline forces choices (plot).
So… Which Is Better?
Writers love to ask this — and readers love to debate it. The truth? Neither is inherently better than the other. But one might be better for the story you’re trying to tell.
If you want to keep readers flying through pages with breathless anticipation, the plot may be your best friend. But if your goal is to explore the human condition, challenge your character’s inner world, or leave your readers emotionally wrecked in the best way — then character is your strongest tool.
That said, stories that endure often do both well. A plot without emotional investment can feel empty. A character study without movement can feel stuck. So rather than ask which is better, ask: What kind of experience do I want my reader to have?
That answer will point you in the right direction — every time.
Updates from Me
Books for Kids
I’ve talked in the past about how I am a large advocate of books for kids. Over the past year and a half, I have been collecting books to give to children during summertime, the time of year when many kids lose access to libraries or books in general.
My original plan was to work with a grocery store and pass out books to children as they left the store, but I knew that I may not see as many kids as I hoped with this plan. So, I partnered with Ephrata Area School District and I have been approved to provide a book to every kindergartener at Clay Elementary the week before school ends.
This is near and dear to my heart as I was a kid who lost access to books unless I had access to my school library, so I am thankful I have the opportunity to do this.
Now I realize I had a few people on this list sign up to donate books to this cause and I haven’t forgotten that. I would love to do this again, so now that I know what the process is like when working with a school district, once I collect more books, I will reach out to those people who signed up to donate books.
The good news is that 59 kindergarteners will receive a free book before summer.
In other news…
Who would have thought that coaching my daughter’s soccer team would mean that I would accidentally injure myself and have a sprained ankle for two weeks…but the good news is that I can still work on books.
Phone Wallpapers
I had a reader ask if I ever considered making phone wallpapers for my books, so I gave it a try!
Indie Reads
In the heart of the dark forests of Sandviken, Sweden, a shocking discovery turns the lives of four families upside down. Connected by fond memories of summer vacations, they are haunted by a long-buried sinister secret. For 30 years, a sadistic serial killer has been living among them, hunting innocent young girls for his twisted pleasure. The investigation is a grueling race against time, and the detectives in charge must confront not only his cunning and ruthless nature, but also their own inner demons.
Will they be able to apprehend the killer before he strikes again?
And at what cost?
Abby thought she had left the past behind. Escaping a brutal childhood as an emancipated teen, she’s spent years rebuilding her life, rising from the ashes to become a brilliant engineer at Halseth, Inc. With the steady guidance of CEO Jack Halseth, she’s forged a safe, predictable existence—one carefully guarded from the emotional scars that still haunt her.
But everything changes when Jack retires, and his son, Brandon Halseth, takes the helm. Ambitious, charismatic, and unrelenting, Brandon thrives on challenges—and Abby, with her sharp intellect and guarded demeanor, becomes his latest obsession. Tasked with leading a high-stakes government contract, Abby is suddenly thrust into Brandon’s orbit, forced to navigate his relentless attention and the simmering connection she can’t seem to ignore.
As Brandon breaks through the walls she’s spent years constructing, Abby is forced to confront not just her past but the possibility of a future she never dared to dream of. But can two people from such different worlds find common ground, or will their scars and secrets tear them apart before they have a chance to heal?
Step into the shadowy halls of Ravenswood Manor, where every corner hides a secret and every character possesses a motive. "The Mystery of Ravenswood Manor" invites readers into an enthralling world of suspense and revelation, unraveling a tale that intertwines fate, fear, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
As you delve into this captivating narrative, you'll find yourself immersed in a richly woven tapestry of suspense and intrigue. The protagonist, a determined detective, navigates the manor's dark history, uncovering long-buried secrets that could change everything. With twists and turns at every page, this book promises to keep you guessing until the very end.