Plot: The pattern of events or main story in a narrative or drama.
Character: The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes a person, group, or thing from another.
Plot & Character Combined
Many writers will stress that story plot is more important than character, or vice versa. However, these two are equals and heavily rely on each other. You cannot have one without the other. Plot is defined as the pattern of events or main story in a narrative or drama. The story's location and what takes place around the main character makes up the plot. The two are interowoven and should be seen as two parts of a whole because when one changes, so does the other.
Examples in Mainstream Stories
Superman - This character is unique because his superhuman abilities separate him from ordinary humans. However, if you remove the most major plot element by changing the fact that if his homeworld Krypton was never destroyed, then Superman would be a normal person without strength from the Earth's yellow sun. The entire story would fall apart.
Lolita - Humbert's desire to sleep with his underaged stepdaughter Lolita generates a tremendous amount of conflict due to the fact that they live in a modern society that restricts adults having sex with anyone under age 18. Pluck them from the setting and transport them into the time of the Greek empire where there would be no restrictions in sexual conduct and the story becomes drastically different.
How to Use Plot & Character
A story's plot must draw readers into the sequence of events involving the characters goals and desires. It's not enough to merely state a series of factual events to generate an effective plot. The structure of a story must elicit emotion in readers by giving reason for why the characters place themselves in certain situations.
Plot Without Character
Take this simple phrase as an example: "The boy nearly froze to death in a snow storm." It's a factual statement that at it's core reveals that a human being survived death. We don't know why he almost died and most people wouldn't care. Hundreds die every year in the snow so why bother telling this story? To solve this delimna, inject the character's qualities into the story. Give reason as to why a character finds himself in certain situations.
Plot With Character
Here's how to solve it by adding a character trait: "The boy nearly froze to death in a snow storm while venturing to save his dog." Now you have something. An effective plot and character trait that draws emotion gives reason as to why the boy nearly died. We can all relate to losing something and doing whatever it takes to find it, especially a loved one. It gives him a purpose for wandering dangerously in the snow. It's no longer a factual event, but it's a story about a boy with a strong goal (character trait) who risks his life in a snow storm (plot).
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