Friday, 17 December 2010

Plot or Characters? Friday Meme!

Book Blogger Hop

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee, where bloggers spread the love by following each other. Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books, where book bloggers can "connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!"


Question: What did you study in college, or are currently studying and did it lead to your current 9 to 5 or are you doing something totally different?
I am actually still in high school, and the Australian version of college is "university". So I'm not in uni yet, although it's not too far off. And I'm still utterly confused as to what I want to do with my life. I feel like I should aim to do medicine/health sciences, or something equally as prestigious, but I'm not sure if that's something I could spend the rest of my life doing. I'd love to be able to be a doctor, but I can't imagine myself in the same career for my entire life. I feel like there's so many years ahead, so much potential for more, and that I would just be wasting Any tips?

Question: What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?
Wow, tough question! They're usually intertwined - all elements of a good story, and each could not survive without the other.
A good plotline really carries the story, makes it stand out from all the rest. I feel that there is less variation between characters in YA, and many tend to have similar characteristics that make them appeal to the target audience. The characters kind of become what they need to be in order to fulfil the author's plot idea. When I look at it that way, the plot is more important.
But then a good story with bad characters, and by a bad character, I don't mean the character necessarily has to be evil or have bad intentions, but they may be too perfect - a "Mary Sue" or "Gary Stue" - or simply not well-rounded. They won't stick in my head, and I won't really identify with them at all. Anyway, good plots with bad characters can only go so far.
What I'm trying to say is that these two elements come hand-in-hand. But think of all the elements of a good story as little gears in a clock. If one goes missing, or is damaged, then the clock ceaes to function. A good clock is one with all gears in tune, just as a good story is one where all elements are present and well-thought out.



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Hearted by Tina at 11:14 pm
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Kat · 745 weeks ago

Hi Tina, I'm following you back! it's cool to meet another teen blogger. :) I agree that sometimes YA characters have a lot of the same traits and personalities, etc.

As for university (in the US, a university is the name of the actual college, while 'college' is like the actual act of 'going to college' confusing much?) I understand about not knowing exactly what you want to do. I would like to be a photographer/ author/ travel journalist/ trick horseback rider/ Spanish interpreter / professional surfer. Hope you're able to eliminate choices better than I have, and hope you have a great weekend! :)
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shelleyraedesigns 66p · 745 weeks ago

Hi,
Just hopping by and following through. I wouldn;t recommend you do medicine unless you have a drive for it - its really hard work and you need to want it. As cliche as it is do what you love :)

Shelleyrae www.bookdout.wordpress.com
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bibliophile brouhaha · 745 weeks ago

Hello! In the US, a university is made up of several colleges, and within each colleges are individual schools or departments. For instance, I went to the Scripps School of Journalism within the College of Communications at Ohio University. However, smaller post-secondary institutions can be 'just' colleges here, such as Gettysburg College, which has many majors within different departments. I know - it can be confusing, but I hope that helps!

As for suggestions - ha, I think it's the rare person who finds what they want to do for life - I just 30, and I am still figuring it out!

-Linds, bibliophile brouhaha
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greyz · 745 weeks ago

I'm totally with plot. :) The most solid answer to this question but it's still on someone's preference. Anyway, read my answer in Clandestine Sanctuary.

I'm an new follower. Have a great weekend.
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Mad Scientist · 745 weeks ago

Oh me what a question this week.

I really think the characters are important. It makes me want to read the book if I want to know the characters. But a good plot with twists just makes it move along.

I just finished a degree in Biological Sciences and am still working on a degree in Humanities, History, and Religious Studies. What do I want to do when I grow up? I want to be the hottest historian on the history channel, national geographic, or discovery channel!

I'm launching a new reading challenge that you might be interested in, Morbid Romantica Challenge 2011.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Mad Scientist

Steampunkery & Book Reviews
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Two Bibliomaniacs · 745 weeks ago

New follower from the Hop! I agree that this was a very difficult decision. In the end I choose plot, but went back and forth about twenty-seven times. By the end of the hop I might change my mind again… Stop by and say hi when you get a chance!
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Mad Scientist · 745 weeks ago

Oh me what a question this week.

I really think the characters are important. It makes me want to read the book if I want to know the characters. But a good plot with twists just makes it move along.

I just finished a degree in Biological Sciences and am still working on a degree in Humanities, History, and Religious Studies. What do I want to do when I grow up? I want to be the hottest historian on the history channel, national geographic, or discovery channel!

I'm launching a new reading challenge that you might be interested in, Morbid Romantica Challenge 2011.

Also today is the start of a Ridley's Giveaway where you can win a Hardcover copy of either Beautiful Creatures or Beautiful Darkness.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Mad Scientist

Steampunkery & Book Reviews
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Lost in Stories 44p · 745 weeks ago

Hey Tina, that is a difficult question this week but you've answered it so eloquently I totally agree (love the clock analogy)! You'll figure out what you want to do it just takes time, I completely switched subjects at uni because I wasn't enjoying the ones I was doing and now I'm much happier you just need to do something you really enjoy otherwise what's the point? Also you shouldn't worry about what other people think you should do! Hope this helps, Romy :)
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Kathie · 745 weeks ago

hi there! old follower here just stopping by for the hop. If I had to choose, I'd say the characters. If I don't care or like about a character, the best plot in the world won't matter to me :-)
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Mariya · 745 weeks ago

Hi, I am stopping by from FF and the Hop. I also think both are important but if I don't like the characters I can't read the book. BTW, I'm a new follower =D

Please visit me @: Mystifying Paranormal Reviews

Mariya
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Mithee · 745 weeks ago

Thanks for hopping by on our blog~ I'm following you back!

~Mithee
The Deranged Book Lovers
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Danielle · 745 weeks ago

Happy Friday!

Hope you have a great weekend!!
Romance Book Junkies
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Anaiz · 745 weeks ago

Oh doll, I was just like you in high school. I kind of "ended up" in the major I have now, I guess an easier way to think of it is what kind of classes would you enjoy taking (kind of sounds cliche haha but it's true) and 90% of people I know are not working in the field they majored in :) :) :)
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Barb · 745 weeks ago

Hi There!
My advice is to follow your passion and realize that you will likely change your career path several times during your working life. I'm an obsessive reader that went to school for science and worked in research for a bunch of years. I then was offered the opportunity to teach science, and then technology. I got pregnant and now I raise my daughter and run a bookstore. Full circle ? Drop by my blog and say hi!
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Carissa · 745 weeks ago

Old Follower just passing through. I agree that character and plot are so intertwined that it is difficult to separate the two. If forced to choose, I say character. If the characters suck, then it's hard for me to care about the plot.
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cass_wordsonpaper 79p · 745 weeks ago

Thanks for noticing about my mailbox, Tina! ;P

I accidentally scheduled the post ahead of time without actually changing the post (I c+p the formatting for each post/meme for consistency), and completely forgot to change it. It's all better now, though. ;)
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Elizabeth · 745 weeks ago

Love the teacup....hopping by from the blog hop.

Lots of good answers to this week's tough question.

Stop by my blog to see my answer to this week's question.

Also check out a design site I found...pretty neat home decorating ideas...it is in the right side panel on my blog.

http://silversolara.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays!!
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Kiwi · 745 weeks ago

Hop-ing by! :D ...Hop by (http://blogonlinerandom.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-ing-17th-december.html) to see my answer sometime!
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Liz (Midnight Bloom) · 745 weeks ago

Hi Tina! Thanks for hopping by my blog! I've just become a follower of yours!
I'm going to check out your tutorial posts... they looks SO HELPFUL!! ^_^

Hope you had a great weekend! :)
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clubpenguinhelpdesk 29p · 745 weeks ago

Don't stress Tina, I've just finished school (so Uni starts in February for me O.o) and I still don't exactly what I want to do. I mean, I'm aiming for a Journalism degree, but that's only so I can hopefully get into an Editing and Publishing course. At the same time, I still have no guarantee that's where I will be in five or ten years. I guess what you just need to do is go with the flow. Hardly anyone has the same job for their entire life, and if you're thinking along the medicine lines then there are tonnes of things you could do to break up the monotony. I mean, for starters, the Australian med course is something like seven years of study. You could always go for nursing first and then try for a doctors degree in med, or you could specialise once you do all that and go into Pediatrics. So don't feel like you'll be in one place your whole life, you won't. :)
(cont...)
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clubpenguinhelpdesk 29p · 745 weeks ago

(continued from last comment...)

But really, don't worry about where you'll be. As I said, I still have no idea what I want to really do and I'm supposed to be starting uni in just over two months!

If I don't get a chance to talk to you before then, have a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful New Year. :)
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Justine 80p · 745 weeks ago

We refer to college as "university" here in Canada, too! Although there are some colleges that you can go to as well...They just offer different types of things to study. And I'm still in high school as well!

By the way, I've just become a new follower. Your blog is cute! :)
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Christina Williams · 744 weeks ago

Hey! Great blog! :) I'd love to have you on my free directory. Have a Merry Christmas!

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