What comes first plot or character? Crime author Pauline Rowson discusses
The
answer is that the two are so interlinked it is difficult to say what comes
first. The characters drive the plot but in order to create the
characters you must have an idea what the plot is about.
In my case, in respect of the DI Andy Horton series of novels, this is usually a location and a victim, and along with that I will have a theme that I wish the crime novel to explore. Once I have this I then begin to create and develop the key characters, outside that is of my regular characters who appear in the DI Horton novels.
In my case, in respect of the DI Andy Horton series of novels, this is usually a location and a victim, and along with that I will have a theme that I wish the crime novel to explore. Once I have this I then begin to create and develop the key characters, outside that is of my regular characters who appear in the DI Horton novels.
I start
developing my characters using spider grams. I draw a circle and put each
character in the centre of that circle and then I throw out lines and ask a
series of ‘open’ questions about each of them.
Body found in the Solent - off Spitbank Fort |
For
example, if I have the victim in the circle I ask questions such as who is he?
How did he get where he is? Why would someone want to kill him? Who killed him?
How was he killed? What’s his background, family, education, experience? What’s
his occupation? How old is he? Where does he live? What’s his personality? What
does he look like? What has shaped him? How are the victim’s family, friends
and others going to react? How do they see this character? What’s my main
character (in my case my detective, DI Andy Horton) going to do next?
I draw up
character profiles for each of the main and secondary characters, some might be
sketchier than others. But that doesn't matter because once I start putting
dialogue into their mouths and have them walking around and interacting with
people they come alive and I can then begin to flesh out their characteristics
and motivations. I can add to my notes ad my storyboard as the
characters’ actions start to drive the plot.
Body found on sunken barge Portsmouth harbour |
The
surprises, twists and turns all spring from the characters' motivations and as
I write I find ideas occurring to me that I hadn’t previously considered. I
sometimes also discover that someone I thought was going to be a minor
character turns out to be much more interesting and a major character can
become boring and sometimes unnecessary, if that happens then I cut him or her
out.
As I
write I ask myself what will this character do in this situation. What will
he/she do next? I throw out more lines around that spider gram. I continually
ask questions about each character and answer them as the novel progresses. I
shape and reshape them. I put them in difficult or unusual situations, and as I
do the story unfolds and the tension builds.
Where to buy Pauline Rowson's books
Pauline Rowson's books are available in a number of formats including, hardcover, paperback, large print, audio book and ebook format from all major retailers, independent bookshops and on line.Also available on Kindle, Kobo and Nook and can be borrowed from libraries within the UK, USA and Commonwealth.
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