I hear versions of this question quite a lot, most frequently in its first-cousin incarnation, “plot vs character?”

So here’s the thing about that little contraction vs. (versus) in its legal usage, e.g. Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce. You don’t say it as vs. What you say is, and: Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

Or, “plot and character” — which is pretty much as it should be, in my humble opinion.

So, too, for the “Voice or Story?” question. The way I see it, it’s all about “Voice and Story—and Character.”

There needs to be an unfolding story, one with action and pace, but it is also really important to me (as reader and writer) that the characters are authentic and affected by the action in the story, i.e. that they change and grow. The interaction between the characters is always as much a part of the story as the events that take place.

But voice is the thing that infuses it all: it’s my (or your) unique way of telling the story and developing characters as a writer. It’s also about drawing out authentic themes and illuminating unexpected nuances in a way that makes a reader think: “Ah, yes, that’s what I love about a Helen Lowe [or insert author of choice] book.”

That’s what I think, anyway. But how about you: what’s your take on “voice and story and character?” Maybe you even see space for a genuine versus in there…