Welcome Stephen Tremp.
Character Arc: character arc is an inferred emotional or psychological development of a character as it unfolds throughout the story. Character arc is absolutely fundamental to story success. According to Larry Brooks it’ s not only how the character learns and grows as a result of their experiences within the story, but how they apply that learning toward their role as the primary catalyst in bringing about the conclusion of the story.
If the hero has something to learn at the beginning of the story (which should be the case), if they demonstrate (or hide) shortcomings and faults that are constantly separating them from what they need and want to achieve, chances are those are the consequences of having some inner demon that influences their decisions and actions. Where that inner demon comes from is backstory.
Character arc and the conflict and tension it causes the main character forms the basis for many movies. The character has a particular viewpoint and through trials and tribulations, his viewpoint is changed, for better or worse. Preferably, the character overcomes his flaws and there is a happy ending or justice is served.
Example: In Michael Clayton, George Clooney’s character starts off with a major weakness: he is cynical and sees no admiral qualities in what he’s doing personally or professionally. However, by the end of the story, he changes completely in order to do the right thing. Storyline: A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit.
In one of my daughter’s favorite movies, Beauty and the Beast, we easily see character arc unfold as the story progresses:
Simplified breakdown:
1. Good looking prince who’s overconfident in himself (Flaws: arrogance and inability to love)
2. The prince gets turned into a monster and we learn that the spell can only be broken when he finds someone who loves him for who he really is (inner beauty)
3. He meets Belle, she’s reluctant at first but then through knowing and caring for her, he gets a more sympathetic heart and she learns to understand him.
4. His arrogance and inability to love is overcome. End of story. His lesson is learned.
Lights Film School
Equal Time: there are those who believe character arc is not all about change. Rather it is about growth. They will site examples such as Braveheart and The Fugitive. “Growth is all about whether or not the character is moving towards something or away from something - not whether or not they change. You can grow as a person and still hold on to your beliefs - they just get stronger.” Jim Hull .
Please join me tomorrow as I visit Kelly Polark’s blog as we talk about Writers Block.
Stephen Tremp is author of the action thriller Breakthrough. You can visit Stephen at Breakthrough Blogs where Breakthrough is available for purchase and download to all eReaders.
If you feel this blog is worthy, go ahead and make my day.
If the hero has something to learn at the beginning of the story (which should be the case), if they demonstrate (or hide) shortcomings and faults that are constantly separating them from what they need and want to achieve, chances are those are the consequences of having some inner demon that influences their decisions and actions. Where that inner demon comes from is backstory.
Character arc and the conflict and tension it causes the main character forms the basis for many movies. The character has a particular viewpoint and through trials and tribulations, his viewpoint is changed, for better or worse. Preferably, the character overcomes his flaws and there is a happy ending or justice is served.
Example: In Michael Clayton, George Clooney’s character starts off with a major weakness: he is cynical and sees no admiral qualities in what he’s doing personally or professionally. However, by the end of the story, he changes completely in order to do the right thing. Storyline: A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit.
In one of my daughter’s favorite movies, Beauty and the Beast, we easily see character arc unfold as the story progresses:
Simplified breakdown:
1. Good looking prince who’s overconfident in himself (Flaws: arrogance and inability to love)
2. The prince gets turned into a monster and we learn that the spell can only be broken when he finds someone who loves him for who he really is (inner beauty)
3. He meets Belle, she’s reluctant at first but then through knowing and caring for her, he gets a more sympathetic heart and she learns to understand him.
4. His arrogance and inability to love is overcome. End of story. His lesson is learned.
Lights Film School
Equal Time: there are those who believe character arc is not all about change. Rather it is about growth. They will site examples such as Braveheart and The Fugitive. “Growth is all about whether or not the character is moving towards something or away from something - not whether or not they change. You can grow as a person and still hold on to your beliefs - they just get stronger.” Jim Hull .
Please join me tomorrow as I visit Kelly Polark’s blog as we talk about Writers Block.
Stephen Tremp is author of the action thriller Breakthrough. You can visit Stephen at Breakthrough Blogs where Breakthrough is available for purchase and download to all eReaders.If you feel this blog is worthy, go ahead and make my day.
Thank you Stephen.
How about all of you reading Stephen’s post today: Do you chart your protagonist’s arc in your manuscript? Before you begin writing do you know how that character will change over the course of the book? Any questions or comments for Stephen?
And if you have any questions for me about Research, that's the topic I'm addressing today over on The Blood Red Pencil.
Very interesting. I do create, chart and track my characters' personalities, strengths, weaknesses and flaws, yes, but - I'd never put the name 'Character Arc' to the process. This was a very succinct and helpful post to a lot of writers, I would say. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteVery excellent post. I now want to watch "Braveheart". Anyway, this was very informative (I seldom, if ever, use terminology to describe anything of what I'm working on). For the matters of a good story it's important that something changes during the readers' time with the characters and this could be the internal world of the character or the external world and the reactions of the character to it. Growth, the expansion of a character and/or their ideals, is something very necessary as well.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking post, Stephen. Thank you.
Helen- Good questions! The "villain come hero" of my wip is proving to be difficult because it is HIS change that enables everything else to do so. Communicating his change, timing it, and being absent any cliches is proving to be difficult. Still, the goodness that can/will come rest upon this character having what amounts to an identity crisis and acting completely against the imposed morality upon which he has invested his life.
Terrific post. Character arcs are really important to the stories. :)
ReplyDeleteKimberly, it sounds like you're putting together a very intricate puzzle. Each piece has to be laid just right at the right time.
ReplyDeleteThis is really good, Stephen. I love how you broke it down with Beauty and the Beast. It made it so clear. Thanks, Helen, for hosting.
ReplyDeleteYes, character arcs are very important. Thanks for the examples. And thanks to Helen for hosting.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of it as a character arc, but that's certainly the main focus of my book.
ReplyDeleteHelen, thanks for hosting me today and for the review yesterday. Thanks everyone for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteClarissa, I think Beauty and the Beast is a great example of Character Arc. Many films and novels follow a similar pattern and are very successful stories.
I do think of the character's change. And, you're right, it can be a change of circumstance - overcoming trials, or an inward change - of heart, or a combination. Great words of wisdom on character. Happy Sales!
ReplyDeleteChange or growth is an integral part of any story, otherwise I guess there is no story. If a reader doesn't have a sense of progression in their reading experience then they are not reading a story or anything that shows the development of characters. It doesn't ncessarily have to entail growth, but it can be a downward arc to deterioration and destruction. There needs to be something we are compelled to follow through to the conclusion.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Great insight. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteYes character development is so important. This post was great and taught me how I need to be more clear about my characters evolutions. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteStephen's book just sounds awesome. I love the blog tour, too!
ReplyDeleteCharacter arc is indespensible, yes? Great breakdown of how it's done--Thanks Stephen & Helen! :o)
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI like the comment about character "growth" as opposed to change. My characters do not change radically, but they do grow. I don't chart it, but as I'm writing - and re-reading - I make sure that growth is perceptible. I have certain events that make that possible, that force my characters - and the reader - to confront themselves.
Great post Stephen. Thanks for hosting Helen.
.......dhole
I agree with everyone. Great post.
ReplyDeleteCharacter arc is essential is just about every type of writing - mystery, romance, thriller, horror, fantasy, and so on.
I'm learnign a lot just researching the material for the blog tours. Reading examples from movies can help us frame character arc for our own characters. I'm having a lot of fun as I write Opening and Escalation and involving these concepts into the character development.
ReplyDeleteI definitely chart the character arcs of a number of my characters...not just the main character. It makes a massive difference to the story.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Lynda. You're secondary characters have arcs, especially in how they are involved in the story.
ReplyDeleteI don't chart my characters' progress, but I have an idea of how they start out and how they're supposed to end up. Still, sometimes they surprise me.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Morgan, you bering up a great point. Our characters often surprise us. The develop as we fill out the manuscript. Example: In Breakthrough the assassin extraordinaire Staci Bevere had a relatively small role, appearing only to make the kill, then simply being in the room with the master mind antagonist Nicky Fischer.
ReplyDeleteBut as I continued to work the material, her role continued to grow until she had the most "face time" seconf only to the protagonist Chase Manhattan.
Morgan, I think characters surprising me is one of the really fun things about writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen and Steve .. I love what I'm learning from the blog tour - and now "character arcs" .. something I had to find out about ... as the others have said - really well set out for us readers to get to grips with - thanks .. Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary. For a visual, I imagine an arc, like a bridge. It, the character, starts in one place, then over the course of the book, ends up elsewhere, at another spot in their life.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen .. thanks for explaining .. I'd sort of gathered and realised of course that's what writers and screen writers do .. a change in character to draw the story on .. Thanks for coming back to me - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis is a helpful explanation...as an "under-educated" writer, technical terms sometimes get to me and I love when I find a good lesson.
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary & Liza. Isn't there so much to learn? I don't care how many years you've been writing, there's always something new to figure out. It makes writing both daunting and exciting.
ReplyDeleteStephen, sorry I'm late to the party. I'm up to my eyeballs in NANO and have been a bit scarce.
ReplyDeleteI do like the way you define character Arc. I do believe it's integral to know that about each of your main characters.
I love how you broke it down using Beauty and The Beast. Made it easy to see it in action. :-)
Hi Sia. You're never too late!
ReplyDeleteVery true for a standalone novel, but what about series protagonists, Stephen? The change has to be more gradual, if noticeable at all. Don't you agree?
ReplyDeleteLiza, glad you could glean something from this post. I learned a lot writing it.
ReplyDeleteSia, great to see you again, and thanks for stopping by. I think Beauty and the Beast is a classic straight forward example of character arc that people can easily relate to.
Hi Jean, I think of Alex Cross and how he went from a police officer to Detective to FBI agent. This is a gradual change over the life of the series.
But I think one over-arching arc should be comprised of numerous smaller arcs. I like action and need things to move along. So I prefer to see a synergy of changes that makes up the whole.
You raise some great points about developing character so there is progress or change over time. I need to take a look at my main character in my wip, because I don't think she changes enough to make her interesting.
ReplyDeleteA character's arc doesn't have to be a huge change such as a committed bachelor finding love and deciding to commit for life to one woman. It could be a smaller arc. Same guy comes to understand why he is a swinging bachelor - what in his past made him that way.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article detailing character development. Thank you, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteMonti
NotesAlongTheWay
Excellent advice. I find ensuring that my characters have grown or changed in some way during the plot to be particularly difficult. Have they changed enough? Have they undergone enough trials to grow sufficiently? This will help, thanks :)
ReplyDelete