Yet another thing I rarely think about consciously, but should. What is driving the plot?Is it a mystery? Conflict? Is it the appeal of the character themselves? Is it the setting, weaving through the whole story as though it itself was a character, drawing us in with its own presence. Action? The beauty of the prose (I wish)?
I usually go for a bit of a combination. Typically, I do rely on action, particularly in fantasy, with overt conflict. But I like to have (hopefully) a good hook into the character and their journey from the start. Then I try to build in some key mystery that the characters need to solve. I like to have internal characterisation of both the protagonists and the antagonists to help build up the sense of danger and raise the tension in the conflicts.
I think conflict can be a very powerful way of driving a plot - but it will only work if you have drawn the characters well. That's one thing that people forget, action only works if you have first hooked into the character. Otherwise who cares if they are suspended above the Pit of Doom by a thread of silk?
Whatever it is, it needs to dovetail with whatever is hooking the reader at the outset, and also consistent with whatever expectations are set up at the beginning of the book. For example, if you are promising a character-driven book, don't suddenly sideline the PoV character and introduce a cast of thousands with a mystery. If you start with the hint of a major conflict, don't have the Evil Overlord suddenly vanish and start a literary exploration of circular thinking in cool cafes.
What is your favourite way of driving a plot? What are your favourite examples of plot driven books?
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