tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post2071803535870150463..comments2023-07-18T04:32:44.951-04:00Comments on The Thrill Begins: When Cooking Up A Thriller, The Plot Thickens by Gary KrissCathyPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671747592743029540noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-70615111126217593042011-03-04T13:27:44.554-05:002011-03-04T13:27:44.554-05:00Gary (and everyone)--
Thanks for the wonderful co...Gary (and everyone)--<br /><br />Thanks for the wonderful conversation on the plot vs. character debate!<br /><br />TraceyTracey Devlynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06893860773314837424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-53472347760259993452011-03-04T12:01:21.780-05:002011-03-04T12:01:21.780-05:00Carla:
Alas!
I opted for a extreme change of vi...Carla:<br /><br />Alas! <br /><br />I opted for a extreme change of vicarious venue so in THE ZODIAC DECEPTION there are Catacombs (the Paris variety) and rats, vengeful and otherwise.<br /><br />I really have to learn to find the middle ground! (Or get a life, whichever comes first.)<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />GaryGary Krissnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-4605371145788321472011-03-04T11:09:10.626-05:002011-03-04T11:09:10.626-05:00Gary,
I can't WAIT to read your novels! Will ...Gary,<br /><br />I can't WAIT to read your novels! Will there be an attic scene, replete with locked doors and vengeful cats?Carla Buckleyhttp://www.carlabuckley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-57919962258417481322011-03-03T21:10:09.846-05:002011-03-03T21:10:09.846-05:00Hey Carla:
Thanks for weighing in.
The thing a...Hey Carla:<br /><br />Thanks for weighing in. <br /><br />The thing about gaunlets is that there's one for each hand. That slows up the process. But now that I've tossed one and you so kindly have tossed the other, people need not worry about formalities and can start their 2 cents here, there or anywhere in between.<br /><br />You make some excellent points, deserving of being fleshed out more. For example, the difference between caring and curiosity in relation to a character. That's an intriguing distinction, one which I know I intend to think about. My first take is to distinguish on the basis of involvement level--deep or superficial. But even as I write this I wonder if perhaps you were framing the reader-character-plot triad more in terms of what is necessary to turn the page and what is sufficient. As I said, you've opened up up another area that cries out for its own share of contemplation and comment.<br /><br />As to your other point, yes, of course we can have both--at least in the best of all possible worlds. Certainly it's something to strive for.But even as we do, the chicken/egg conundrum follows us: which sparks you when you're in the conception/incubation process, a character or a plot? That's why I mentioned series characters: as they mature (in the sense of becoming more multi-dimensional) it becomes easier to envision them in various situations. But otherwise do you start with a situation and then allow the characters that befit it to arise from that context?<br /><br />You know, on second thought, I'm retracting my thanks, Carla. Bad enough I'm locked in an attic: now I'm locked in an attic and caught in a quandary. (I also think I may have stepped in something).<br /><br />And just when I thought I had all the answers . . .<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />GaryGary Krissnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-64517366346945340722011-03-03T20:44:11.132-05:002011-03-03T20:44:11.132-05:00Hi Tracy:
Divided opinions are wonderful, not the...Hi Tracy:<br /><br />Divided opinions are wonderful, not the least because of the tremendous discussions/debates/fist-fights/ hatchet-murders--oh I could go on and on--they produce! And yes, Character/Plot is one of the great themes of writing/literature (or is that premise and which is more essential, theme or prem ise, or is it . . . .<br /><br />But the key is your last graph: while we're busy playing inside baseball let's indeed hope that the readers are watching--and enjoying--the real game.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />GaryGary Krissnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-46689240700023989242011-03-03T12:32:53.131-05:002011-03-03T12:32:53.131-05:00Hi Gary,
Thanks for tackling the plot v character...Hi Gary,<br /><br />Thanks for tackling the plot v character debate. May I throw down the gauntlet and say that I'm going to land on the side of characters being more important?<br /><br />To me, if I don't care about the characters (or if I'm not at least somewhat curious about them), I won't much care what happens to them in a story, no matter how thick the plot. Character is what drives me to the finish line.<br /><br />But maybe we don't have to choose one or the other. Can't we have both--engaging characters combating terrifying circumstances?Carla Buckleyhttp://www.carlabuckley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-17086590930099314442011-03-03T09:43:02.434-05:002011-03-03T09:43:02.434-05:00Hi, Gary.
Your post is very thought-provoking. We...Hi, Gary.<br /><br />Your post is very thought-provoking. We've been discussing some similar questions over at the ITW Thriller Roundtables. <br /><br />Alas, it is likely that opinions will always be divided on the 'plot or character' issue when it comes to thrillers. A lot of us would like to think our stories mix both, creating that unique kind of 'thickness.'<br /><br />Fortunately, there are readers who enjoy all kinds of thrillers, plot or character driven. While we debate, may they keep reading!<br /><br />Tracy MarchTracy Marchhttp://www.tracymarch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-9303979016764034642011-03-03T07:57:41.549-05:002011-03-03T07:57:41.549-05:00Hi Tracey:
Welcome to the limb! When I'm not ...Hi Tracey:<br /><br />Welcome to the limb! When I'm not in the attic, that's my home away from home.<br /><br />Character definitely topes the list of "certain somethings" that take a stew/thriller to a higher level, but I wonder how long pure character can sustain a reader.<br /><br />"Thick" stew may not not be a gourmet's delight, however it usually can keep someone (aka, a reader) going.<br /><br />Part of the problem might be that, because of the "newer" emphasis on character, we've encountered so many subsitutes for the real thing that we're have trouble distinguishing between hamburger and hamburger helper.<br /><br />Truly great characters, it seems to me, never just pop up "ex nihilo." Instead they evolve out of the thick (there's that word again) primordial ooze and are forever wedded to it, if only at some point, in genetic memory.<br /><br />I think your comment about what readers talk about the next morning is a valid and fascinating one--perhaps for a blog or general discussion. Usually when people who don't know I'm a novelist (and these days that may include my editor and my agents unless I submit something) tell me about a book they read and describe it in terms of plot. The next time that happens, I'm going to prod them about the characters and see what happens. (For example, if it's not a series character, I'd be interested in whether they premember the protagonist's name.)<br /><br />The attic door's rattling. With any luck there'll be a rapid unlock followed by a shoved in cup of coffee. I'd love to have it on the limb but the temperature's below zero and I hate explaining to people why thiongs aren't always they way they seem!<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />GaryGary Krissnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1011399615565681742.post-81456839458415028982011-03-03T06:28:12.362-05:002011-03-03T06:28:12.362-05:00Hi Gary,
Thanks so much for being with us today. ...Hi Gary,<br /><br />Thanks so much for being with us today. I'll go out on a limb and say that thrillers are driven by plot, but are "made" by their characters. The writer can have a fantastic, action-packed plot, however, it'll be the characters folks talk about the next morning.<br /><br />TraceyTracey Devlynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06893860773314837424noreply@blogger.com