The basics of character arcs
What is a character arc, and how do you write it well?
By simplest definition, a character arc is how a character grows and changes over the course of a story. Who are they at the start of the story? Who are they at the end? What is it that happens to guide that journey from point A to point B?
This is the start of a series of three posts to explore how you can do this well. The second installment will be the one that focuses most directly on your main character’s inner growth, so don’t miss next week’s post! I’ll be following that up with a post on side characters’ arcs and how they influence your MC’s own journey and growth in a dynamic way.
Today, though, I wanted to start by talking about your main character’s goals and how they interact with the central conflict of the story. What your characters want and believe will impact their goals, and that, in turn, will have a big impact on the plot of the story. It goes both ways, too—the things that happen in the plot can influence your character’s goals and beliefs for better or worse, and when you have a basic awareness of what that looks like in your book, you’ll be ready to dig in and start working through the strengths, weaknesses, and other areas of internal growth that will really make your MC a living, breathing character.
What are your MC’s starting goals?
Your main character wants something in life (probably multiple somethings!). This can come from positive or negative motivators, as well as internal or external pressures. For example, a fear of starvation might be motivating them to find a way to get food for themselves or their family. Alternately, a dream of becoming successful at their passion might be motivating them to pursue opportunities to realize those dreams. Whether or not these things line up with the central conflict of the story, they’re an important part of your character and will drive the choices they make.
Questions to ask about your character:
- Before the story begins, what are your MC’s preexisting fears?
- What are your MC’s preexisting dreams?
- What values and beliefs about themselves and the world back their goals?
Do you know the central conflict?
I want to turn briefly to an element of fiction that generally is associated with plot more than character: conflict. The central conflict of your story is the main problem your MC must overcome. This could be an obstacle to their goals—for example, the girl who wants to become a doctor but doesn’t have access to education in her current environment—or something unexpected that arises and must be stopped at all costs, even if it completely interrupts their goals—for example, the reluctant hero who is trying to build a life with their family but must go to war to fight off the invaders before their homeland is no more. Whether it is an obstacle or an interruption, take note of that central conflict—it’s going to become the catalyst not only for the plot but for your character’s growth as a person.
Questions to ask about your central conflict:
- Is the central conflict an obstacle in your MC’s path, or is it a complete interruption?
- Does the introduction of the central conflict immediately change something inside your character? If so, what?
- Does your story set up both external and internal conflict for your main character?
Do your MC’s goals change?
A big part of your main character’s journey and character arc is going to come from the ways the events of the story (the plot) strengthen or alter their beliefs and goals. Think about how many characters are completely set in their ways at the beginning of a book or movie. They’re convinced the things they love and value are perfect, only to have their eyes opened to a better way when their starting worldview is rudely interrupted by the plot. Their goals and values have been altered.
Note that in some stories, the main character’s worldview is reinforced instead. Think of the Wonder Woman movie—Diana starts out convinced that she must defeat Ares to save mankind from war, and no matter how tempting it is to listen to the people around her who are saying it’s not Ares, but rather people themselves, she refuses to believe it—and in the end, her steadfast commitment to her goal is what helps her save the day. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t make mistakes, learn, and grow—I would even argue she’s gained new goals by the end. I just wanted to be sure to include an example of how reinforcement is a valid impact of plot upon character goals.
Questions to ask about your character’s evolving goals:
- In what ways do the events of the story shatter or reinforce their preconceptions?
- What goals do they let go of during the story, and what new goals do they gain?
- How are their fears and dreams impacted by what they go through in this story?
Goals: only the beginning
At the start of this post, I defined character arcs as the way your character grows and changes throughout the course of the story. Start with a good understanding of who your MC is and what motivates them in life. When you understand their goals and what motivates them, you’ll be able to get much more intentional in changing those things as they interact with the plot.
Next week, we’ll look at more ways your character will grow and change throughout the story, starting with their strengths and weaknesses. If you’ve already started thinking about it as you consider their fears and dreams, you’re on the right track! I’ll walk you through pacing their steps forward and their setbacks as you continue to strengthen their arcs.
Until then, happy writing and revising!