What are some examples of plot-driven and story-driven novels?

I read a lot of YA novels because I teach writing to middle and high schoolers. Many YA authors do such a fantastic job of balancing plot and story: “The Seeds of America” trilogy by Laurie Halse Anderson, Toni Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone,” Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ “The Inheritance Games.” Any of the books in any of these series can be used as mentor books to demonstrate excellent plot and character development.

"Good Omens" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is an excellent example of a plot-driven novel where you know exactly where the story is headed: the end of the world! A unique book, since it was co-written between the two legendary storytellers, the reader is simply along for the ride on this one, going wherever the authors choose to take you.

One book that's left a big impact on me was Michael Faber's The Crimson Petal and the White. Really beautifully written. Another was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. A third is John Steinbeck's Of Mice & Men.

Many mainstream suspense novels, such as those by bestselling novelists Mary Higgins Clark, Charles Finch, and Tasha Alexander, also rely heavily on plot to create entertaining yet often literary escapism for their many readers.

Lord of the Rings has significant chunks that are story-driven - it would not be possible to write 3 volumes of such length otherwise! There are natural ebbs and flows in the pace of the plot, and times when the reader can ‘rest’ as focus moves to the feelings and motivations of the main characters. This makes for much better world building than would be possible simply through the plot.

The Mask of The Red Death: By Edger Allen Poe. AChristmas Carol: By Charles Dickens. Why did they appear in my Mind? These Classical work made a Great impression on me and in my life. Writer's and Reader's: Never stop Writing! Never??????????????????????????

The first two books in Marlon James' "Dark Star Trilogy," "Black Leopard, Red Wolf," and "Moon Witch, Spider King" are both great examples of story-driven novels. These two books tell the same story from different perspectives, exemplifying the expertise required to capture the mind and intentions of individual characters.

Many of the classics of literature, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald"s "Tender is the Night" and "The Great Gatsby", as well as "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, also have protagonists who appear searching and conflict-driven.

“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr is very character driven. The story jumps around in timeline so readers can observe the characters’ developments. I use it with my students as an example of how a good book does not have to be a complicated or active plot.

There are rare stories that challenge what it feels like to be a reader. "Their Eyes Were Watching God", a novel by Zora Neale Hurston, pushes and prods the reader to release who they are and what they know in order to find within its pages the magic of Janie's story. Zora Neale Hurston's use of dialect teaches that the act of reading words alone can have action, suspense, twists and turns. Her writing is an intentional experience. She is willing to lose the reader in her story - she is willing to loose you - because it means she can lead the reader into wonder and delight, and teach them how to weather disappointment in order to find hope.

Two of the greatest novels of the 20th century, "Dr. Zhivago" and "The Godfather", brilliantly combine plot, story, and theme to create two unforgettable, immersive experiences for the reader.

If you're unsure which route to go down, a plot-driven or story-driven novel, a question you can ask yourself is "do I want the world to affect my protagonist, or do I want my protagonist to affect the world?" If the former, then you've got a plot driven narrative, and if the latter, then you're working on a more story-driven narrative.

I would add that the best stories are not one or the other. Take "Harry Potter," for example. Do we read the series because we care about Harry as a character, or because we want to see if he will finally defeat Voldemort? It's both! It has to be both!

Dan Brown's books are the best example of raw 'plot-driven' stories. They are always about the beats and structure and three main concepts that would serve as the blueprint for writing those: the Contract, the Clock, and the Crucible. Contract: is the implied promise the writer makes to the reader and that will be delivered by the end of the book. Every promise you make (everything you suggest might happen) should be explored. Clock: Usually is a constraint which the main character is under. It can be a time pressure was something else, but is the moving force that defines why the character must act NOW. Crucible: Why is the character forced to face the challenge? It should increase over the story until it funnels down the most severe.

Heavily 'plot-driven' narratives usually have a lot of short-term promises that are quickly paid in order for the story to pay the high-level long-term promise. The clock is usually applied to every one of them (and to the high-level promise as well). Every promise solved should create another simultaneously. Short chapters and action-focused scenes help achieve this 'plot-punch' effect.

Flash fiction is another way to hone your personal plot- and story-crafting abilities. It's even shorter than short stories, so you have to get to the heart of the matter quickly, which leaves little room for excess wordiness. It can be a fun challenge to take on as a writer. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-flash-fiction-learn-how-to-write-flash-fiction-in-7-steps

Short stories are a great way to hone your writing skills! Reedsy has a program where they put out weekly short story prompts and you can pick the one (or ones) you want to respond to. You can also read others' short stories and find the styles you like! https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/