Which came first: the character or the world?

[TheMonotonePuppet]

When making stories, I always start with the main character first. Designing their personality, philosophy, powers, ideals and lack thereof, etc. Then the plot and world get built simultaneously, affecting the character’s build and design as well as being affected by a design. Though for one character of a story idea I called Blood, Bone, and Bile, which was consumed to form the story of Charisma, the creative process of the story started with a few actions. Specifically, tearing into human flesh with powerful jaws, gouging out of an eye to place on top of a scepter, and chopping off exposed bone to stab a demon.

What about you all?

 

[ArrogantYoungMaster]

I don't remember.

 

[Deleted member 113259]

Characters are more fun to write.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

Characters are more fun to write.

As much as it burns me to agree with a anti-puppet question mark…
…
…
Nah. I can’t do it. Week-long hangover to the anti-puppet question mark!

 

[Deleted member 113259]

As much as it burns me to agree with a anti-puppet question mark…
…
…
Nah. I can’t do it. Week-long hangover to the anti-puppet question mark!

You get hangovers? Imagine not even being able to handle a few drinks by morning. Couldn't be me.
Worse, imagine having one of the most dreaded weaknesses of an adult human without even being one.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

I don't remember.

Bwahhhh? How can you not remember?!

You get hangovers? Imagine not even being able to handle a few drinks by morning. Couldn't be me.
Worse, imagine having one of the most dreaded weaknesses of an adult human without even being one.

Huh? I am confused. I was replacing death to you with week-long hangover to you. So you were getting sent a hangover curse.
And this puppet can’t drink. Too young under country law.

 

[LunaSoltaer]

does "the overarching idea of the plot" count?

Basic ideas I wanted to put to words because I didn't like other attempts at the same?

If not that then.... the magic system??

 

[ArrogantYoungMaster]

Bwahhhh? How can you not remember?!

By not remembering. ??

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

does "the overarching idea of the plot" count?

Basic ideas I wanted to put to words because I didn't like other attempts at the same?

If not that then.... the magic system??

That’s the plot option! It counts! Don’t worry!

 

[Deleted member 113259]

anti-puppet question mark!

Hey, you started this war.

Bwahhhh? How can you not remember?!

Probably got a hangover.

Huh? I am confused. I was replacing death to you with week-long hangover to you. So you were getting sent a hangover curse.
And this puppet can’t drink. Too young under country law.

Yes, you sent the curse, and I still didn't get one. I am incapable of getting one.

 

[HelloHound]

it was originally the plot but I grew to hate the plot so I picked up my protagonist from her nice and cozy home and chucked her down a river

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

Hey, you started this war.

Probably got a hangover.

Yes, you sent the curse, and I still didn't get one. I am incapable of getting one.

But that would mean you don’t have a mind. It gives you the sensation of a hangover and the sensation of all the resulting symptoms, not an actual one.
*gasp*
Do you not have a mind? The HORROR!

 

[Deleted member 113259]

But that would mean you don’t have a mind. It gives you the sensation of a hangover and the sensation of all the resulting symptoms, not an actual one.
*gasp*
Do you not have a mind? The HORROR!

For regular hangovers: Superior physiology, I'm sure you puppets know nothing of the sort.
For curse hangovers: Immune to curses, I'm sure you puppets are familiar with that field.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

For regular hangovers: Superior physiology, I'm sure you puppets know nothing of the sort.
For curse hangovers: Immune to curses, I'm sure you puppets are familiar with that field.

Humph. We puppets are far better physiologically than some abstract symbol that only serves as punctuation.
And immune to curses? Obviously you just haven’t had expert curse users around. Prepare to be cursed by a cursed toy.

 

[AliceShiki]

I start with a rough idea of what I want the plot to be about at the same time as I get a rough idea of who is the main character.

The world creates itself as it's just a generic medi-fantasy world in most occasions.

And from then on, I just start winging it while following my rough plot idea and things work out in one way or another~

 

[Deleted member 113259]

Anyway, when writing a story it really does depend on what you're writing. If you're trying to write a world with several important figures you should focus on that to start with. If you're writing a character piece you should start with the base of their personality. In either scenario, the plot should be the immediate next thing that shapes your world or characters, though some people start with writing the plot to get an idea of their world or characters. It's rare to start with action but if action is the most important factor then you can neglect any other detail for a while.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

I go for the plot first since even with a highly detailed character, I would probably never use since it would never fit in a story as my MC. Like I want to write a cold manly female character whose interested in the opposite sex, put her into a world where there's no male character? Like, I did all the character, even how she wants to be a loving wife after her hard past and you want me to write her into an all female world where the only choice is being a lesbian? Yeah, I'm gonna have to choose plot first.

Though I don't discriminate but I'm not really the type to focus on characters since they are my weakest writing skill. Action is my second weakest skill since I don't like writing detailed stuff and world is my third since I tend to focus on modern rather than fantasy or history setting.

 

[Tempokai]

Originally, boredom. Then, character, and then everything else at the same time.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

I go for the plot first since even with a highly detailed character, I would probably never use since it would never fit in a story as my MC. Like I want to write a cold manly female character whose interested in the opposite sex, put her into a world where there's no male character? Like, I did all the character, even how she wants to be a loving wife after her hard past and you want me to write her into an all female world where the only choice is being a lesbian? Yeah, I'm gonna have to choose plot first.

Though I don't discriminate but I'm not really the type to focus on characters since they are my weakest writing skill. Action is my second weakest skill since I don't like writing detailed stuff and world is my third since I tend to focus on modern rather than fantasy or history setting.

Definitely an interesting perspective! Not one that I can comprehend, because to me, character always takes precedence. I change the world to make their goals and interests fit. And if they definitely won't fit, then boom! I have a conflict between the world's status quo and the MC. I think that for me, in order of what I am best at building (just based off of what readers say): world, character, action, and plot. My favorite stuff to write is character and world on a seesaw, going back and forth. And action and plot are tied in second place.
Cool! Glad to have your POV.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

the worls first and foremost