No matter what medium a story takes, whether its screenplay or novel, what makes or breaks plot development is characterization. A tale lacking honest, credible characters will fall flat on its face as surely as a movie that relies chiefly on special effects to flesh out a weak storyline.
So who is more important to the plotting element? The obvious answer is the main protagonist of the piece, the hero (or heroine) of the story. Fair enough. To connect with the reader, the writer needs to provide a believable champion complete with the obligatory strengths and failings. But where would Luke Skywalker be without Darth Vader? I’ll tell you...stuck on Tattooine eking out a boring existence as a moisture farmer. What unremarkable life would have Shea Ohmsford expected if not pitted against the Warlock Lord? And could you even imagine a Middle Earth without Sauron?
Villains are the characters readers love to hate. For all their evilness and bloodthirsty ways, an impressive antagonist is essential for carving out a memorable plot. Baddies are crucial for creating drama and pathos. And, truth be told, what author doesn’t relish breathing life into a character unfettered by morals or fear?
Good, by necessity, must be balanced by Evil. This is a recurring theme in my books. One cannot function, or even exist, without the other. However, it is up to the writer to decide which prevails.
So who is more important to the plotting element? The obvious answer is the main protagonist of the piece, the hero (or heroine) of the story. Fair enough. To connect with the reader, the writer needs to provide a believable champion complete with the obligatory strengths and failings. But where would Luke Skywalker be without Darth Vader? I’ll tell you...stuck on Tattooine eking out a boring existence as a moisture farmer. What unremarkable life would have Shea Ohmsford expected if not pitted against the Warlock Lord? And could you even imagine a Middle Earth without Sauron?
Villains are the characters readers love to hate. For all their evilness and bloodthirsty ways, an impressive antagonist is essential for carving out a memorable plot. Baddies are crucial for creating drama and pathos. And, truth be told, what author doesn’t relish breathing life into a character unfettered by morals or fear?
Good, by necessity, must be balanced by Evil. This is a recurring theme in my books. One cannot function, or even exist, without the other. However, it is up to the writer to decide which prevails.
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