The Secrets of Creating Character Arcs: How to Unite Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development in Any Genre
Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot and Character
Do you want to write stories that captivate your readers? Do you want to create characters that are memorable, realistic and relatable? Do you want to master the art of storytelling?
Creating Character Arcs The Masterful Authors Guide To Uniting Story Structure Plot And Charact
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to learn about character arcs.
A character arc is the way the character grows and changes over the course of a story. The character faces challenges to their goals, their identity, their worldview, or even their very survival, and they adapt and change in response to it.
Character arcs are essential aspects of every successful story because they tell us, whether directly or indirectly, what's changed from beginning to end. But although these arcs tell us what's changed, they don't necessarily tell us what's changed in the character.
Some characters are flat so as to say they stay the same despite the changing circumstances around them. Others are dynamic so as to say they undergo a significant transformation in their personality or morality.
In this article, we will explore the different types of character arcs, how to write them effectively, and how to unite them with story structure and plot.
Types of Character Arcs
There are many ways to classify character arcs, but we will focus on three main types: the moral ascent, the moral descent and the flat.
Moral Ascent Arcs
Definition and Examples
A moral ascent arc is a type of character arc where the character improves their morality or becomes a better person over the course of the story. This usually involves overcoming a flaw, a fear, a wound, or a misconception that holds them back from achieving their true potential or happiness.
Some examples of moral ascent arcs are:
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice: She learns to overcome her prejudice and pride and to appreciate the true character of Mr. Darcy.
Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: He learns to embrace his destiny as a Jedi and to resist the temptation of the dark side.
Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter: He learns to overcome his insecurity and fear and to become a brave and loyal leader.
How to Write a Moral Ascent Arc
To write a moral ascent arc, you need to follow these steps:
Establish the character's starting point: What is their flaw, fear, wound or misconception? How does it affect their behavior, relationships and goals?
Establish the character's end point: What is their ideal state of morality or personality? How will they achieve it or demonstrate it?
Create a series of challenges and opportunities that force the character to confront their flaw, fear, wound or misconception and to gradually change their attitude or outlook.
Show the character's progress and setbacks: How do they react to each challenge or opportunity? How do they grow or regress? How do they cope with the consequences of their actions?
Show the character's final test: What is the ultimate challenge or opportunity that will determine whether the character has completed their arc or not? How do they overcome it or fail it?
Show the character's resolution: How does the character's change affect their behavior, relationships and goals? How do they feel about themselves and their situation? How do other characters react to them?
Moral Descent Arcs
Definition and Examples
A moral descent arc is a type of character arc where the character worsens their morality or becomes a worse person over the course of the story. This usually involves succumbing to a flaw, a fear, a wound, or a misconception that leads them astray from their true potential or happiness.
Some examples of moral descent arcs are:
Macbeth in Macbeth: He succumbs to his ambition and greed and becomes a tyrannical murderer.
Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: He succumbs to his anger and fear and becomes Darth Vader.
Walter White in Breaking Bad: He succumbs to his pride and ego and becomes a ruthless drug lord.
How to Write a Moral Descent Arc
To write a moral descent arc, you need to follow these steps:
Establish the character's starting point: What is their flaw, fear, wound or misconception? How does it affect their behavior, relationships and goals?
Establish the character's end point: What is their worst state of morality or personality? How will they achieve it or demonstrate it?
Create a series of temptations and pressures that lure the character into their flaw, fear, wound or misconception and to gradually change their attitude or outlook.
Show the character's progress and setbacks: How do they react to each temptation or pressure? How do they grow or regress? How do they cope with the consequences of their actions?
Show the character's final test: What is the ultimate temptation or pressure that will determine whether the character has completed their arc or not? How do they succumb to it or resist it?
Show the character's resolution: How does the character's change affect their behavior, relationships and goals? How do they feel about themselves and their situation? How do other characters react to them?
Flat Arcs
Definition and Examples
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Some examples of flat arcs are:
James Bond in James Bond: He remains a confident, skilled and charismatic spy who always saves the day and gets the girl.
Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: She remains a courageous, resourceful and compassionate rebel who fights against the oppressive regime.
Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird: He remains a principled, wise and kind lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape in a racist society.
How to Write a Flat Arc
To write a flat arc, you need to follow these steps:
Establish the character's starting point: What is their core belief, value or trait? How does it affect their behavior, relationships and goals?
Establish the character's end point: How will they reaffirm or demonstrate their core belief, value or trait?
Create a series of conflicts and tests that challenge the character's core belief, value or trait and force them to defend or prove it.
Show the character's consistency and influence: How do they react to each conflict or test? How do they maintain or strengthen their core belief, value or trait? How do they affect or inspire others with their core belief, value or trait?
Show the character's final test: What is the ultimate conflict or test that will determine whether the character can uphold their core belief, value or trait or not? How do they succeed or fail?
Show the character's resolution: How does the character's core belief, value or trait affect their behavior, relationships and goals? How do they feel about themselves and their situation? How do other characters react to them?
How to Unite Story Structure, Plot and Character Arcs
Now that we have explored the different types of character arcs, let's see how they can be united with story structure and plot. Story structure is the way a story is organized into acts, scenes and beats. Plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. Character arcs are the way a character changes over time.
The three elements of story structure, plot and character arcs are interrelated and should work together to create a satisfying story. The story structure provides the framework for the plot and the character arcs. The plot provides the external action and conflict for the character arcs. The character arcs provide the internal motivation and emotion for the plot.
Story Structure and Character Arcs
The Three-Act Structure and Character Arcs
The three-act structure is one of the most common and popular story structures. It divides a story into three parts: Act One (Setup), Act Two (Confrontation) and Act Three (Resolution). Each act has its own turning points that move the story forward.
The three-act structure can be used to map out the character arc of the protagonist. Here is how:
Act One: The protagonist is introduced with their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. They are living in their ordinary world that is somehow unsatisfying or incomplete. They are presented with an inciting incident that disrupts their status quo and gives them a goal. They are reluctant or unable to pursue it until they face a first turning point that forces them to leave their comfort zone and enter a new world.
Act Two: The protagonist faces a series of challenges and opportunities that test their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. They meet allies and enemies who help or hinder them. They experience progress and setbacks as they pursue their goal. They face a midpoint that changes their perspective or raises the stakes. They face a dark night of the soul that pushes them to their lowest point. They face a second turning point that forces them to make a decision or take an action that will determine their fate.
Act Three: The protagonist faces a climax that resolves their goal and their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. They face their final test that proves whether they have changed or not. They face their antagonist or their inner demon and either overcome it or succumb to it. They face a resolution that shows the consequences of their change or lack of change. They face a denouement that shows how they have returned to their ordinary world or entered a new world.
Other Story Structures and Character Arcs
The three-act structure is not the only story structure that can be used to map out the character arc of the protagonist. There are other story structures, such as the hero's journey or the save the cat method, that can also be used to map out the character arc of the protagonist.
The hero's journey is a story structure that is based on the idea that every story is a variation of a universal pattern of human experience. It consists of 12 stages: Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Meeting with the Mentor, Crossing the Threshold, Tests, Allies and Enemies, Approach to the Inmost Cave, Ordeal, Reward, The Road Back, Resurrection and Return with Elixir.
The save the cat method is a story structure that is based on the idea that every story can be broken down into 15 beats: Opening Image, Theme Stated, Set-up, Catalyst, Debate, Break into Two, B Story, Fun and Games, Midpoint, Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night of the Soul, Break into Three, Finale and Final Image.
Both of these story structures can be used to map out the character arc of the protagonist by aligning each stage or beat with a specific point in the character's development. For example:
Ordinary World: The protagonist is introduced with their flaw, fear, wound or misconception.
Call to Adventure: The protagonist is presented with an inciting incident that gives them a goal.
Refusal of the Call: The protagonist is reluctant or unable to pursue their goal.
Crossing the Threshold: The protagonist faces a first turning point that forces them to leave their comfort zone and enter a new world.
Tests, Allies and Enemies: The protagonist faces a series of challenges and opportunities that test their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. They meet allies and enemies who help or hinder them.
Midpoint: The protagonist faces a midpoint that changes their perspective or raises the stakes.
All Is Lost: The protagonist faces a dark night of the soul that pushes them to their lowest point.
Resurrection: The protagonist faces a climax that resolves their goal and their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. They face their final test that proves whether they have changed or not.
Return with Elixir: The protagonist faces a resolution that shows the consequences of their change or lack of change. They face a denouement that shows how they have returned to their ordinary world or entered a new world.
Plot and Character Arcs
The Inciting Incident and Character Arcs
The inciting incident is the event that sets the story in motion and gives the protagonist a goal. It usually occurs near the end of Act One and creates a problem or opportunity for the protagonist.
The inciting incident can be used to trigger the character arc of the protagonist by presenting them with a situation that challenges their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. For example:
In The Lion King, Simba's father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar and Simba is blamed for it. This triggers Simba's moral descent arc as he runs away from his responsibility and his destiny as king.
In The Matrix, Neo is contacted by Morpheus and offered to learn the truth about reality. This triggers Neo's moral ascent arc as he begins his journey as the chosen one who can free humanity from the Matrix.
In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo and learns that it must be destroyed in Mount Doom. This triggers Frodo's flat arc as he remains faithful to his mission despite the corruption and temptation of the Ring.
The Climax and Character Arcs
Article with HTML formatting (continued): the end of Act Three and creates the most intense and dramatic moment of the story.
The climax can be used to resolve the character arc of the protagonist by presenting them with a situation that requires them to demonstrate their change or lack of change. For example:
In The Lion King, Simba faces Scar and his hyena army in a final battle for the throne. He confronts his past and his guilt and realizes that he is the rightful king. He defeats Scar and restores the balance of the Pride Lands.
In The Matrix, Neo faces Agent Smith and his agents in a final showdown. He accepts his role as the chosen one and realizes that he can manipulate the Matrix. He defeats Agent Smith and escapes from the agents.
In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo reaches Mount Doom with the One Ring. He is tempted to keep it for himself but is attacked by Gollum. He manages to destroy the Ring and end Sauron's reign of terror.
Other Plot Points and Character Arcs
The inciting incident and the climax are not the only plot points that can be used to advance or challenge the character arc of the protagonist. There are other plot points, such as the midpoint or the dark night of the soul, that can also be used to advance or challenge the character arc of the protagonist.
The midpoint is the event that occurs halfway through the story and changes the direction or tone of the story. It usually occurs near the middle of Act Two and creates a twist or a revelation for the protagonist.
The midpoint can be used to advance or challenge the character arc of the protagonist by presenting them with a situation that changes their perspective or raises the stakes. For example:
In The Lion King, Simba meets Rafiki and sees a vision of his father Mufasa. He learns that his father lives in him and that he must remember who he is. He decides to return to his home and face his past.
In The Matrix, Neo meets the Oracle and learns that he is not the chosen one. He also learns that Morpheus believes in him so much that he will sacrifice himself for him. He decides to rescue Morpheus and fight against the agents.
In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo meets Galadriel and sees a vision of what will happen if he fails to destroy the Ring. He also learns that he is being hunted by Gollum and that he must be careful with his trust. He decides to continue his quest alone and leave his friends behind.
The dark night of the soul is the event that occurs near the end of Act Two and pushes the protagonist to their lowest point. It usually occurs before or after the second turning point and creates a crisis or a despair for the protagonist.
Article with HTML formatting (continued): flaw, fear, wound or misconception. For example:
In The Lion King, Simba defeats Scar and becomes the king of the Pride Lands. He embraces his destiny and his responsibility.
In The Matrix, Neo defeats Agent Smith and escapes from the Matrix. He accepts his role as the chosen one and his power to manipulate reality.
In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo destroys the Ring and ends Sauron's reign of terror. He remains faithful to his mission and his friendship with Sam.
These are some of the most common plot points that can be used to advance or challenge the character arc of the protagonist, but there are others as well. For example, you can use subplots, flashbacks, foreshadowing, symbolism, dialogue, or narration to show your character's change or lack of change.
Conclusion
Character arcs are one of the most important aspects of storytelling. They tell us how a character grows and changes over the course of a story, and why we should care about them.
There are different types of character arcs, such as moral ascent, moral descent and flat. Each type has its own steps and challenges for the character to overcome.
Character arcs can be united with story structure and plot to create a satisfying story. Story structure provides the framework for the plot and the character arcs. Plot provides the external action and conflict for the character arcs. Character arcs provide the internal motivation and emotion for the plot.
Here are some final tips on creating character arcs:
Know your character's goal, flaw, fear, wound or misconception. This will help you establish their starting point and their end point.
Know your character's core belief, value or trait. This will help you establish their consistency and influence.
Create a series of challenges and opportunities that force your character to confront their flaw, fear, wound or misconception or to defend or prove their core belief, value or trait.
Show your character's progress and setbacks through their actions, thoughts and emotions. How do they react to each challenge or opportunity? How do they grow or regress? How do they cope with the consequences?
Show your character's final test through a climax that resolves their goal and their flaw, fear, wound or misconception. How do they demonstrate their change or lack of change?
Show your character's resolution through a denouement that shows the consequences of their change or lack of change. How does it affect their behavior, relationships and goals? How do they feel about themselves and their situation? How do other characters react to them?
We hope this article has helped you understand how to write a captivating character arc for your own stories. Remember that character arcs are not formulas or rules, but tools and guidelines that can help you craft more engaging and meaningful stories.
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