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Originally Posted by Lhinneill  I think there should be a balance between the plot, the setting, and the characters. |
I agree. I would just add that the balance between the three elements will vary according to the story.
To give an example, my first novel (The Foresight War) is about an alternate WW2. The focus of the plot is on how the war might have run differently if the British and the Germans both had advice from the future. The characters (principally, time-travelling British and German historians from the present day) are really simply there to carry the plot, and I therefore spent little effort on developing them. Some reviewers have criticised that, others have said that it's appropriate for the story. OTOH my second novel (Scales) is all about an ordinary man who is mysteriously transformed into a part-alien. The focus is very strongly on him - his thoughts, ideas and opinions - and I wrote the book in the first person to emphasise that.
It's horses for courses
