Which comes first: character or plot?

The writer's version of the chicken-and-the-egg question is "which comes first: character or plot?

I've been asked this question a lot. And every writer probably has a different answer. Mine is a little of both, but mainly the characters come first, story second. For me characters drive the story, so it's only natural that they would come to me first. For me personally, the characters are the most important part of any book, whether I'm the writer or the reader.

I cut my fantasy-writing teeth in the 80s on David Eddings, Raymond Feist and Terry Brooks -- all authors of very character-driven books. What kept bringing me back to their series, and kept me waiting in not-very-patient anticipation for their next books were the characters. These were people I identified with, genuinely liked and most importantly -- I cared what happened to them. If I'm reading a book and after the first couple of chapters I either don't like the main character, or really couldn't care less what happened to them, chances are pretty high that book is going back on the shelf and I'm going to be disappointed. Give me "real" characters and a compelling plot, and I'm your fan for life.

Which author keeps me tapping my foot impatiently for their next book?

Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files. Simply the best -- period.