Writing Tip #5 -- Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven Stories: Exploring the Heart of Meaningful Narratives

Dec 4, 2024

6 min read

Absolutely! Below is a revised version of the blog post with examples of Christian books that demonstrate the distinction between character-driven and plot-driven stories.

Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven Stories: Understanding the Core of Great Narratives in Christian Literature

In Christian literature, as in any genre, the way a story unfolds often hinges on whether it is driven by the characters or by the plot. Both approaches can tell powerful, meaningful stories, but they work in different ways. Some Christian books focus on the deep emotional and spiritual journeys of characters, while others emphasize the events that shape those characters’ lives. Understanding the difference between character-driven and plot-driven stories can help readers appreciate the unique strengths of each narrative style.

What Are Character-Driven Stories?

Character-driven stories prioritize the internal struggles and development of the characters. In these narratives, the plot is shaped by the decisions, motivations, and emotional arcs of the characters. The story is less about what happens and more about how the characters react to the events around them, how they grow, and what they learn about themselves and God. The driving force of these stories is often the character’s personal journey—spiritual, emotional, or psychological.

In Christian character-driven stories, the conflict often revolves around personal dilemmas such as faith, redemption, forgiveness, and grappling with life’s challenges. While external events may occur, they are often secondary to the internal changes the character undergoes.

Key Features of Character-Driven Stories:

Focus on Character Development: The story explores the protagonist’s emotional and spiritual journey, growth, and transformation.
Inner Conflict: Much of the drama comes from the character's internal struggles—whether it’s doubt, guilt, fear, or questions of faith.
Faith Journey: These stories often center on how the character grapples with their relationship with God, spirituality, and personal beliefs.
Theme Exploration: Christian character-driven stories often explore themes like grace, redemption, forgiveness, and personal healing.
Plot Serves the Character: The events of the story are catalysts for the character’s growth, often leading them to deeper understanding or spiritual awakening.

Examples of Christian Character-Driven Stories:

"The Shack" by William P. Young: This book is a quintessential example of a character-driven Christian narrative. The plot revolves around Mackenzie Phillips’ grief and spiritual crisis after the tragic death of his daughter. His journey into the wilderness to meet God in person becomes a metaphor for his own healing process. The external events—his encounters with God and his confrontation with his grief—serve primarily to help him wrestle with his doubts and come to terms with his faith. The central theme is healing through understanding God’s love and forgiveness, which is deeply rooted in Mackenzie’s emotional and spiritual growth.
"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers: Based on the biblical story of Hosea, this novel follows the life of Angel, a woman who has been abused and rejected, and her eventual journey toward redemption through her relationship with Michael Hosea. The plot is shaped by Angel’s emotional and spiritual struggles as she learns to accept love and forgiveness. The narrative is driven by Angel’s internal growth and her evolving relationship with God, which leads to her ultimate redemption. Though external events like Angel’s past and the dynamics of her marriage unfold, it is her personal transformation that drives the story.
"The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan: This classic allegorical tale is deeply character-driven, focusing on Christian’s spiritual journey from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City.” While the plot includes many external challenges and characters, the primary focus is on Christian’s internal struggles, his doubts, temptations, and ultimate growth in faith. Every encounter, obstacle, and trial serves as a tool for his spiritual maturation, making the plot secondary to the internal journey of faith.

What Are Plot-Driven Stories?

In contrast, plot-driven stories are propelled by the events that take place. The plot serves as the central focus, and the characters often respond to the external challenges they face. In Christian plot-driven stories, the narrative typically revolves around a clear external goal—whether it’s a mission, a crisis to resolve, or a journey to undertake. While character development is still important, the external events and how the characters navigate them are the driving force of the story.

Christian plot-driven stories often feature high-stakes situations—sometimes involving moral dilemmas, crises of faith, or even the struggle against evil. The characters’ personal growth may occur as a result of these external events, but it’s the unfolding plot that moves the story forward.

Key Features of Plot-Driven Stories:

External Conflict: The story centers around an external challenge, mission, or event that propels the characters into action.
Action and Events: The narrative is often fast-paced, with key events or turning points that drive the plot forward.
Clear Stakes: The stakes in plot-driven stories are usually defined by an urgent problem, such as a crisis of faith, a moral choice, or a battle against evil.
Character Reaction to Plot: The characters’ development often happens as they respond to external events, rather than internal reflection or emotional growth.
Less Focus on Inner Conflict: While the characters may change, the emphasis is often more on the events of the plot and less on introspective struggles.

Examples of Christian Plot-Driven Stories:

"The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom: This autobiographical account of Corrie ten Boom’s life during World War II is a compelling plot-driven narrative. The story follows Corrie and her family’s efforts to hide Jews from the Nazis and the subsequent persecution they face. The primary driving force of the plot is the external conflict of survival, faith under pressure, and resistance to evil. While the story explores Corrie’s internal spiritual strength and relationship with God, the plot—focused on their struggle to protect innocent lives—takes precedence.
"The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis: Though these beloved allegorical stories contain deeply character-driven elements (especially in the development of characters like Edmund and Eustace), the overall plot of the series is what drives the narrative. The Pevensie children’s adventures in Narnia, their encounters with evil, and their quest to bring peace to the land are what propel the story forward. The characters' spiritual growth, particularly in terms of faith and redemption, is essential, but the plot is central, with characters facing various trials and external conflicts that shape their faith.
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini: Though not a Christian novel, this story can serve as a good example of a plot-driven narrative with themes of redemption. It follows Amir’s journey to reconcile with his past and seek forgiveness for betraying his friend, Hassan. The plot is driven by Amir’s quest to return to Afghanistan and make amends. While Amir’s internal conflict is vital, it is the unfolding of the plot—the events that occur during his quest—that propels the story.

Blending the Two: Why Balance Matters

While character-driven and plot-driven stories may seem like polar opposites, many of the best Christian narratives balance both elements. A strong plot can heighten the emotional and spiritual stakes, while character development can give depth to the unfolding events. Some of the most powerful stories blend both approaches, creating a dynamic narrative that resonates on multiple levels.

For example, "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis combines an intriguing plot with deep character exploration. The plot revolves around the correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his nephew, Wormwood, as they plot to corrupt the soul of a human. While the events of the plot are critical to the unfolding narrative, the book’s primary focus is on the characters’ moral and spiritual conflicts, which give depth to the plot and provoke reflection on Christian life.

Similarly, "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo, although not explicitly a Christian novel, features powerful themes of redemption, grace, and justice. The plot revolves around the struggles of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and other key characters as they navigate a tumultuous period in French history. The character-driven arcs of Valjean’s redemption and Javert’s moral crisis are interwoven with the broader, plot-driven events of social upheaval and revolution, creating a rich and layered narrative.

How to Decide Which Approach Works Best for Your Story

Ultimately, the choice between a character-driven or plot-driven approach depends on the story you wish to tell. Consider the following when deciding which approach is right for your Christian narrative:

What is the emotional and spiritual core of your story? If your focus is on a character's spiritual journey and internal growth, a character-driven story may be the way to go. If the story is about an external challenge or mission—such as overcoming trials, fulfilling a divine calling, or fighting injustice—then a plot-driven approach might suit your narrative better.
What genre are you writing in? Christian fiction can take many forms—historical, literary, allegorical, or contemporary. Some genres, like allegories and historical fiction, tend to be more plot-driven, while literary Christian fiction often focuses more on character development.
What do you want the reader to take away from your story? If you want your readers to reflect on the characters' spiritual and emotional growth, then a character-driven story may be best. If you want to engage readers with a dramatic plot and inspire them through the characters' actions and choices, then a plot-driven approach is ideal.

Conclusion

Character-driven and plot-driven Christian stories offer distinct approaches to storytelling, each with its own power to inspire, convict, and uplift. Whether focusing on the internal growth of characters or the external events that challenge