--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Plot is very important to me, but I think…" description: "\"Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development.\" — Tom Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg" --- # Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are… ![“Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development.” quote by Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg) > “Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development.” [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Plot provides structure, but characters give a story its emotional core and lasting impact. **In simple terms:** Characters deepen story meaning. Key Takeaway Focus on character development. Themes storytelling character plot Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical instructional When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - creative workshops - editing process Key Concepts empathy growth conflict Questions to Reflect On - What balance of plot and character works best for you? - How do characters drive plot? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on characters may weaken narrative momentum. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-development/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [The plot is not very important to me, though a novel must have one, of course. It's just a line to hang the washing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivy-compton-burnett/the-plot-is-not-very-important-to-me-though-a-novel-must-have-one-of/) [Ivy Compton-Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivy-compton-burnett/) > [I understood that the stories we believe have power over us. They work into our bodies and minds and change us from inside out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-trussoni/i-understood-that-the-stories-we-believe-have-power-over-us-they-work/) [Danielle Trussoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-trussoni/) > [I have always believed that television is a very strong medium to convey stories, stronger than even movies. On television, you have more scope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/i-have-always-believed-that-television-is-a-very-strong-medium-to/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [The plot is very important because writers have to play fair with their readers, but no one would care about the plot if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/the-plot-is-very-important-because-writers-have-to-play-fair-with/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [“Thought and plot are not so important as some would make them out to be. The object of any work of art is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/thought-and-plot-are-not-so-important-as-some-would-make-them-out-to/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“Your exercise of faith builds character. Fortified character expands your capacity to exercise greater faith. Thus, your confidence in making correct decisions is enhanced.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/your-exercise-of-faith-builds-character-fortified-character-expands/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [Understand and apply this vital principle to your life: Your exercise of faith builds character. Fortified character expands your capacity to exercise greater faith.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/understand-and-apply-this-vital-principle-to-your-life-your-exercise/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [“For strength of character in the race as in the individual consists mainly in the power of sacrificing the present for the future, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-strength-of-character-in-the-race-as-in-the-individual-consists/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. Your character will grow; your faith will increase.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/be-thankful-that-sometimes-god-lets-you-struggle-for-a-long-time/) [David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/) > [As a writer, as much as I try, I can't stop writing female characters. They have so much more to offer; they have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tate-taylor/as-a-writer-as-much-as-i-try-i-can-t-stop-writing-female-characters/) [Tate Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tate-taylor/) > [With six weeks' worth of recuperation time, you'll also be able to see any glaring holes in the plot or character development. And listen--if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/with-six-weeks-worth-of-recuperation-time-you-ll-also-be-able-to-see/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Stand alone books are nice because they have everything all in one tidy little package. Neverwhere was awesome because you get action, adventure, character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/stand-alone-books-are-nice-because-they-have-everything-all-in-one/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Meditation may require a lifetime to master, but it will have been a lifetime well spent. ... If you want to judge your progress,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eknath-easwaran/meditation-may-require-a-lifetime-to-master-but-it-will-have-been-a/) [Eknath Easwaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eknath-easwaran/) > [I don't know who will overcome losses, some losses aren't meant to be overcome, but all losses make for good stories and good character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-vangsness/i-don-t-know-who-will-overcome-losses-some-losses-aren-t-meant-to-be/) [Kirsten Vangsness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-vangsness/) > [When I play a game, I want to play, not necessarily laugh. If you try to make me laugh at the expense of interactivity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/when-i-play-a-game-i-want-to-play-not-necessarily-laugh-if-you-try-to/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) ## More by Tom Johnson > [Don't get me wrong, God Bless the farmers and cowboys. It just wasn't the life I wanted. When writing stories of other lands, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/don-t-get-me-wrong-god-bless-the-farmers-and-cowboys-it-just-wasn-t/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [My greatest accomplishment is succeeding in life, and I owe that to my family and twenty years in the military. I don't regret leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/my-greatest-accomplishment-is-succeeding-in-life-and-i-owe-that-to-my/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [The military offered the opportunity to see the world, and meet other people and learn new customs. Plus, the Army taught soldiers discipline. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/the-military-offered-the-opportunity-to-see-the-world-and-meet-other/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [Probably the best way to describe my writing style is to refer you to "purple prose", which was a tag given to the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/probably-the-best-way-to-describe-my-writing-style-is-to-refer-you-to/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [Learning is a process whereby a human being, or group, or organization, or society comes to understand and embody nature's patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/learning-is-a-process-whereby-a-human-being-or-group-or-organization/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [I was raised in farm and ranch communities, and my dad wanted me to be a cowboy like him, but I saw how he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/i-was-raised-in-farm-and-ranch-communities-and-my-dad-wanted-me-to-be/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [So much of my self worth was tied with my position. It felt like I was being enveloped in darkness. It was a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/so-much-of-my-self-worth-was-tied-with-my-position-it-felt-like-i-was/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) > [Discipline means looking beyond the appearance, beyond that which is visible and acknowledging one Infinite Cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/discipline-means-looking-beyond-the-appearance-beyond-that-which-is/) [Tom Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) [Explore all 9 Tom Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think-my-stories-are-stronger-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think-my-stories-are-stronger-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/434/tom-johnson-45736_character_plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think_2109200.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Plot is very important to me, but I think my stories are stronger in character development.” — Tom Johnson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tom Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Plot is very important to me,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think-my-stories-are-stronger-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-johnson/plot-is-very-important-to-me-but-i-think-my-stories-are-stronger-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```