🌟 Rule #6: Characters Drive Your Plot

haleyn4
Aug 21
2 min read

When readers fall in love with a story, it’s rarely because of the plot alone. What keeps them hooked is the people (or creatures, or beings) living that story. A great plot gives structure, but it’s the characters—their choices, conflicts, and emotions—that truly drive the narrative forward.

In screenwriting, characters determine how the plot unfolds. The same is true for writing novels cinematically. Every twist, every surprise, and every resolution should feel like the direct result of your characters’ actions and decisions.

Why Characters Should Lead the Way

Authenticity – Readers can sense when events feel forced. When character motivations fuel the story, the plot flows naturally.
Emotional Investment – We care about what happens because we care about the characters.
Unpredictability – Characters with strong personalities can surprise even the writer, creating organic plot twists.

How to Build Characters That Drive Plot

Give Them Clear Motivations – What do they want more than anything? What are they afraid of losing?
Define Their Values and Flaws – Internal struggles shape external decisions.
Let Choices Have Consequences – Good or bad, each choice should push the story in a new direction.
Avoid “Puppet Mastering” – Don’t force characters into actions just to serve the plot. Ask, Would they really do this? If not, rethink.

A Cinematic Approach

Think of your characters as actors improvising on set. You, the writer, provide the scene and circumstances. Then, let your characters react authentically. When you do, the plot becomes less about what you planned and more about what naturally unfolds from their decisions.

The Payoff

When characters drive the plot, readers don’t just follow along—they feel every triumph, heartbreak, and revelation. They become emotionally invested because they see the story through the eyes of characters they care about.

🎯 Pro Tip: Before outlining a new scene, ask: What does my character want right now, and how will that desire shape what happens next?