How to Create Character Arcs for Your Novel

What is a Character Arc?

A character arc refers to the transformation or growth a character experiences throughout a story. It is a fundamental element of storytelling that helps to create dynamic and engaging characters readers can relate to. Character arcs are the reason your story matters. Without them, you basically just have a narrative with no drama.

What are the three types of character arcs?

There are three main types of character arcs: positive change, negative change, and no change. Understanding these different types can help writers create well-rounded and dynamic characters that fit the needs of their story.

1. Positive change: A character with a positive change arc starts out with flaws, weaknesses, or negative traits that they must overcome in order to achieve their goals or reach their full potential. Over the course of the story, they learn important lessons and develop new skills or qualities that enable them to succeed. This type of arc is often used for protagonists and can be seen in stories such as To Kill a Mockingbird, where Scout learns to see the world from different perspectives and gains empathy for those around her.
2. Negative change: In a negative change arc, the character begins with positive traits or qualities but ultimately succumbs to their flaws or weaknesses, resulting in a downfall or tragic ending. This will likely be used for you antagonist, but it can apply to your protagonist as well. Examples of this type of arc can be seen in stories such as Macbeth, where the titular character’s ambition and thirst for power ultimately lead to his downfall.
3. No change: As mentioned earlier, a flat character arc involves a character who does not undergo significant change or growth over the course of the story. This can be a deliberate choice on the part of the author, as it allows the character to serve a specific function within the narrative without distracting from the larger themes or conflicts. It can also be used for characters who are already well-established or who serve as a foil for other characters. Sherlock Holmes is an example of a character with a flat arc, as he remains largely unchanged over the course of his many adventures.

Choosing the right type of character arc will depend on the needs of the story and the role of the character within it. By understanding these different types, writers can create compelling characters that add depth and complexity to their work.

What should be included in a character arc?

First, you need to define your character arc by understanding what kind of transformation your character will undergo. Is your character going to have a positive change by the end of the story? Perhaps your character will start out positive but deteriorate by the end. Some characters don’t change at all through the story, instead the environment changes around them.

Next, it’s important to establish clear goals for your character. What achievements do they want and just how far are they will to go to reach them? These goals should be challenging enough to create tension and conflict in the story.

Along with goals, there should be obstacles that your character must overcome to achieve their objectives. These obstacles should be significant enough to challenge your character and create opportunities for growth.

Lastly, your character should experience some form of growth or change as a result of their journey. This could be a change in their personality, values, beliefs, or relationships. The change should be significant enough to create a sense of transformation in the reader’s mind.

What is a good example of a character arc?

Two of the most well-known examples of strong character arcs are Harry Potter and The Great Gatsby.

In Harry Potter, the main character, Harry, begins the series as a lonely and neglected orphan. However, as he progresses through the story, he discovers his true identity as a wizard and becomes increasingly courageous, self-confident, and skilled. His journey is not without setbacks and challenges, but ultimately, he transforms into a hero who is capable of defeating the dark forces that threaten his world.

In The Great Gatsby, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, starts out as a mysterious and wealthy man who throws lavish parties but is still deeply unhappy. Over the course of the story, the reader learns about Gatsby’s past and his love for a woman named Daisy. Despite his wealth and success, Gatsby is unable to win Daisy’s heart, and his obsession ultimately leads to his downfall. The novel’s themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream are all tied to Gatsby’s character arc, making it a crucial element of the story.

In both examples, the character arcs have a significant impact on the story’s themes, conflicts, and resolution.

What are typical character arcs?

Two of the most popular character arcs are the Hero’s Journey and the Redemption Arc.

The Hero’s Journey is a classic character arc that involves a hero who embarks on a journey to achieve a goal, faces obstacles and challenges along the way, and ultimately emerges transformed. This arc is commonly used in fantasy and adventure stories and often includes stages such as the Call to Adventure, Crossing the Threshold, and the Return with the Elixir.

The Redemption Arc, on the other hand, involves a character who starts out flawed or even villainous, but through their actions and experiences, they achieve redemption and transformation. This arc is often used in stories with complex or morally ambiguous characters, such as antiheroes or villains.

Other common character arcs include the Coming-of-Age Arc, which involves a character transitioning from childhood to adulthood and finding their place in the world, and the Love Arc, which involves a character’s journey towards finding and/or accepting love.

Each of these character arcs has its own set of characteristics and stages, but they all share the common element of transformation and growth.

Does every character need an arc?

While a well-crafted character arc can add depth and nuance to a novel, not every character necessarily requires one. In some cases, a flat character arc can be just as effective in conveying the story’s themes and messages.

A flat character arc is one in which the character does not undergo significant change or growth throughout the story. Instead, they maintain a consistent worldview and set of values, using them to navigate the challenges and conflicts that arise. This type of character arc is often seen in stories where the protagonist is already well-established and has a clear sense of their identity and purpose.

In such cases, a flat character arc can be appropriate because the focus of the story is not on the character’s personal growth, but rather on the external conflicts they face and the impact of their actions on the world around them. For example, James Bond is a character who has remained largely unchanged over the course of his many adventures. While he may face new challenges and adversaries, his core values and motivations remain constant, making a flat character arc appropriate for his character.

That being said, even characters who do not undergo a full character arc can still experience growth and change throughout the story. By developing relationships with other characters, confronting their own flaws and weaknesses, or discovering new aspects of themselves, even minor characters can contribute to the overall narrative and add depth to the story.