Damon Nomad's Writer's Zone

Ah yes, one of those debates that can bring writers to near violence, atleast harsh words. What is more important, characterization or the plot-storyline. I think what often gets lost in the discussion, is the poor reader. I can see from my own bookshelf and years of reading, why I am biased in a certain direction. Or atleast that's what I think, because I do not really know what is more imporant to my favorite authors.

When I talk about a book I like, it's always about the story line and plot. I like political, technical and legal thrillers. The intrigue and pace of the story. The characters, I do get invested in them to some extent.

This idea that characters are everything, I admit irriates me a bit. But neither can anyone make the case that plot is everything. I guess if I were to state it mathematically, I would say seventy percent plot and thirty percent characters.

What's your take?