Topic: In designing your plots what do you rely on most: personal experience, imagination, or research? Thank you Robin for another great topic!
I'm unable to select only one choice. I must conclude that
I add all three choices into the my plotting when I am writing.
Obviously, when I am am writing an historical novel, short-story, or article my plot line will be heaving in the area of research. However, odds are I've also visited the area, visited a museum, etc. so I can claim personal experience. Where does the imagination fit in?
My characters' personalities and how he/she would react in a situation would be a product of my imagination.
The same could be said of writing a sci-fi or fantasy. Science fact is Science fact. However, the facts can be stretched or discarded (to a degree) in a fictitious universe or in a time-travel novel. As for fantasy. You must state the 'new' truth as to why you vampire can stand in sunlight and not dissolve. Or as in the case of my zombie novel, Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, Why my zombie (Meredith), a former vegan, only consumes chicken, etc., instead of human brains.
As for my romantic fiction/suspense/Gothic novels, my stories rely heavily on my imagination. My characters may have traits of people I have known (remember, not everyone has a positive influence in your life), or traits that work well with my plot-line. I strive to make all of my characters to be living, breathing people with faults, challenges, and successes. I have also discovered that true facts are not always believable in a novel. Even if it is true, if it seems like a 'convenient plot-device' toss it out and start over.
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Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1dm
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1dm
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
We all seem to agree that all three play a role in our plot choices. The presentation I heard this morning talked about setting and the back of my mind was busy with the thought that setting can influence the plot too. The same people in the same place would behave very differently at noon than at midnight or in the rain rather than the baking sun.
ReplyDeleteWhile we all seem to use all three, we all seem to address it a little differently. Your system and mine have a lot in common. And I completely agree with Skye's reply. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteSky makes a really good point on time and weather affecting what people might do.
ReplyDeletetrue facts are not always believable in a novel
ReplyDeleteHow true that is! Reality can be too bizarre for words.
I, too, love a villain and your point about traits of people not always being positive resonated with me. As others have said, we do all use all three. anne stenhouse
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. And I also use all three and depending on the story may use one more than the others.
ReplyDeleteBeverley