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

by K.M. Weiland

The Positive Change Arc, in its simplest manifestation, is all about the protagonist’s changing priorities. He realizes the reason he’s not getting what he wants in the plot is because either: a) He wants the wrong thing. b) His moral methods for achieving what he wants are all wrong.

To intertwine with the character arc, this goal needs to be an extension or reflection of something that matters to the character on a deeper level.

In a word, the Thing Your Character Needs is the Truth. He needs the personalized antidote to his Lie.

The Thing Your Character Needs is usually going to be nothing more than a realization.

The bigger and more destructive the Lie, the more shocking and impactful the Ghost should be. Or to flip that on its head: the bigger the Ghost, the bigger the Lie, the bigger the arc.

You must establish identification with your hero before revealing major flaws that could reduce sympathy.

you need to introduce the Lie as quickly as possible. The Lie frames your character arc—and thus your entire story.