Character arc in a series

[Cori]

I've learned so much by reading others comments and questions recently. I love how helpful everyone is in this group. I have a question that I haven't seen asked yet.

I have just received edits and comments back on first book in a series of six books. One of the comments was about the character arc, or lack there of, for my main character. How much do you have the character to grow in book #1? I was thinking that she would grow more from books 2&3 than book #1.

Her starting point is very independent, carried to the point of not allowing or wanting others to help her and very goal focused. The end point for the main character (end of book 6) is she has let her romantic interest in and has decided to settle down, start a family, and try for a work-life balance. Actually get a life outside of work.

I'm not sure how much or what to change in this first book. I have a better idea of what to change in the next two books. Thanks in advance!

[Justin]

Personally, I feel cheated if the first book is meant to sell me on the rest of the books, to the point the first book reads like a trailer instead of a whole movie. Your main character can start off uber independent, like every other action hero ever, but for us to love her she has to show vulnerability.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Thank you for contributing to our resources and discussions! We’ve moved your post to the Author Help Folder so that it can be more easily found by our members who are looking for such a resource or topic. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thanks again!

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

I don't have much experience in reading or writing the kind of series you're talking about, but I would think most readers would want to see some kind of change or growth in your major characters, even in the first book. One of the main points of any story is to show growth or change in the main characters. How much she grows or changes is really up to you, since you're the one plotting out the story and you know where it's all heading.

If I'm understanding Justin's point about first books, I agree with him. If you're expecting readers to get through your first book before they see any character development, you might need to rethink it. Readers probably aren't going to be willing to read about a stagnant character with promises to change in future books.

[Charles]

They could learn a lesson or two, have some sort of moral revelation, or realize they've been wrong about something all along. Just something small that you make a big deal about basically. :)

It helps if there is some personal moral of your own that your character hasn't realized yet, and some sort of conflict that provides an opportunity for character growth.

Which may be very intricate to the type of story you're describing.

[K.P.]

characters that usually stay stagnant are in stories where actions force decisions and heavy on situations and plot development. but if you are doing something where decisions force actions and character development (usually in a series) the character *has* to have some change even if its minor near the end. the MC gains new insight or a new ability etc.

[Ty]

Milestones. Instead of their being a part of their arc answered in each book, there could be a specific milestone, or moment, or "mini-arc" in each book, that somehow tie into the entire series. That way something has been accomplished in each book for it's own right, but you can still keep the "mega-arc" in tact over the series.

[M.L.]

Yes, I agree the character needs to show growth. Without having read it, but going off the description of 'very independent': why is she independent; did she have to overcome something to get to that point? What has her independence cost her? Show some cracks in the veneer. Does she have any self doubts? Action heroes often have something big that happened before they became who they are. So basically conflict needs to show however incrementally.