Fellow writers, concocters, middle-of-the-night scribblers, coffee addicts ...
Which comes first for you? Characters or plot? Genre or POV? Time period or location?
I ask because I realized recently that, for me, it's characters, always. They pop into my head and sidle up to me, saying, “Do you like me? Aren't I cute/exciting/impressive/fascinating/did I mention cute? And they entice me with a strange little scene, one that has so many possibilities, as if they know I won't be able to resist. And of course they're right.
I'm wondering if that's common, or if everyone else comes up with the plot first. Whether my methods are typical, unique, or weird. Whether wondering about it is weird.
And do other writers do it one way consistently, or does it vary with the story-to-come?
These ponderings are the result of a new short story I started less than a week ago. Yes, it started with characters — two kids — and a verrrrrry vague idea. I wouldn't even use the word “plot” because, really, there wasn't one. Then there was, sort of. But the “why” was missing. Yes, this is happening, but who or what started it? Why is it happening?
Then, this morning, ta-da! It came to me. A (hopefully) unique explanation/plot/whatsis.
I suspect this method is totally bass-ackwards.
As are so many things in my life. ;-}
But, hey, it works for me.