#character arc

CHAT WHAT IF

Character Arc - the path a character takes over the course of a story.

A character’s arc involves adversity and challenges, as well as some changes to the character, and ultimately leads to resolution.

Character arcs generally progress in tandem with traditional three-act story structure. Most protagonist character arcs start with the inciting incident that sets up the stakes and central conflict facing this character.

The way the arc progresses from there depends on what sort of story you are telling and how the character functions.

How to Write a Captivating Character Arc

Once you have an understanding of how character arc works and the broad categories that most character arcs fall into, it’s time to think about how you’ll chart out your own character arcs. Whether you’re writing a good character who will undergo a negative character arc or vice versa, here are some tips to consider as you plan out your character’s arc and flesh out your character development:

Think about genre. Genre often informs the way that your character arcs will unfold. If you’re writing a tragedy, your protagonist will most likely undergo a negative arc—ending the story at a much lower point than where they began. If you’re writing an inspirational story, you’ll probably have a character change for the better and follow a positive character arc.

Consider the character’s role in your story. Some characters have more elaborate character arcs than others. A good story generally has a strong set of well fleshed out characters in addition to the protagonist. Knowing what role characters play in your story will help inform what character needs they have and what shape their arc will take. For instance, if your story has a clear-cut protagonist and an antagonist, they will most likely have opposite character arcs.

Have a strong story outline. It’s important to have a strong outline with a clear first act, second act, and third act before you start mapping out character arcs. Characters change alongside your larger narrative. Knowing where an important plot point or turning point might be will help you map out a corresponding character arc.

Types of Character Arcs

I hope Ogilvie gets some character growth

Obviously he’s got some issues; he’s intense, not very good at social/emotional stuff, maybe trying too hard, definitely hates when he’s less than perfect

But I think he’s got potential

Genuinely, I do think, under all that he is trying, and means well, and stuff

Is how UNBELIEVABLE it is out of universe.

Like, Sir Pentious was originally made as a ONE-OFF VILLAIN FOR THE PILOT, he was literally only there for Angel, Cherri, and Alastor to fight. He was LITERALLY MADE TO LOSE. He's a joke of a character, from his over-the-top "evil" design- he's a VICTORIAN SNAKE for fuck's sake- to his goofy minions and his just... everything.

And yet, because Vivzie and the team took a liking to him...

He's went from that level of joke, to a minor antagonist of an episode, to a recurring Hotel member, to having his own romance arc with Cherri, and finally to BECOMING THE FIRST DEMON TO EVER ASCEND.

Meaning this- again- ONE-OFF VILLAIN...

Eventually became the living proof that Charlie's hopes are not a dream, but a reality.

Our baby Abel 😣 so scared, timid, and caring like major bf material

To having his character arc and becoming a leader in charge to command lute to stop the carnage