I don't think I do any formal research. Life is my…
“I don't think I do any formal research. Life is my research. I always begin with a character. I write a chapter about the character and what he or she is doing, thinking, but I don't know what the story is about yet. Plot was always my downfall until I learned that basically character and plot amount to the same thing. One grows from the other.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Starting with a character and letting the story emerge shows that character and plot are intertwined, guiding narrative development.
In simple terms: Begin with a character; plot follows.
Key Takeaway
Focus on character to discover plot.
Themes
writing
character development
storytelling
Mood
inspirational
creative
Type
literary
instructional
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- short stories
Key Concepts
character‑driven narrative
organic plot
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a character inspire plot?
- Can you start with a character in your own work?
A Different Perspective
Character‑first approach may delay plot clarity.