Where do you begin?

[sarillia]

When you first have an idea is it usually based on plot, character, setting, theme, something else?

I'm very much plot-oriented in the beginning. I usually start with a scenario and only later do I think about the person who will be put in the scenario and the surrounding culture.

I do have a list of bits of characterization and setting details that I come up with, but those aren't often the start of my story. I tend to mix and match those with the plot idea that's the real kernel of the story to see what looks good rather than having the story come naturally from that character or world.

How does this work for all of you?

Comments

[serria]

For me, I think it's almost always characters. Usually not just one, but probably two or three characters whose dynamics I begin to imagine. Sometimes this makes for a tough story - when I actually start storyboarding, it is pretty much from scratch, though I try to come up with situations that challenge the personalities and dynamics of my characters.

Probably secondary isn't quite a story, but a setting. I imagine the world and the atmosphere of a culture. So few of my stories take place in the real world, largely because I enjoy creating fictional societies so much.

I think only one of my stories was actually developed plot-first, and though I think that one definitely has the most concise and interesting story, that's the one I struggle the most with in developing my characters.