Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development

by K.M. Weiland

Questions to Ask About Your Characteristic Moment 1. What important personality trait, virtue, or skill best sums up your protagonist? 2. How can you dramatize this trait to its fullest extent? 3. How can you dramatize this trait in a way that also introduces the plot? 4. How can you demonstrate your protagonist’s belief in his Lie? 5. Can you reveal or hint at his Ghost? 6. How can you use this scene to reveal the Thing He Wants Most? 7. Does your protagonist’s pursuit of both the overall goal and the scene goal meet with an obvious obstacle (i.e., conflict)? 8. How can you share important details about your protagonist (name, age, physical appearance) quickly and unobtrusively? Don’t settle for anything less than spectacular for your Characteristic Moment. This is your opportunity to create a fun and effective scene that will introduce readers to your character in a way they’ll never forget—and from which they won’t be able to look away.