Helping Writers Become Authors

In the Third Act of a flat character arc, the protagonist will be brought to a point where he seriously doubts his ability to use the Truth to defeat the Lie.

In comparison to a positive change arc, a flat character arc in the Second Act emphasizes the character's discovery of the Lie embedded in the world.

A flat character arc offers the opportunity for you to create a competent, committed protagonist who can transform the world around him.

Surprisingly, the most difficult part of describing character movements is simply remembering to describe those movements in the first place.

The Resolution needs to fulfil two primary duties in finishing off your character's arc.

This is where the author reveals what the journey the character just endured was really all about - and, in a positive change arc, why that journey has turned out to be worth all the heartaches and trauma.

Inside the character, the Third Act is all about him figuring out if he really wants to serve the Truth after all.

In character terms, the Third Plot Point hinges upon not just something bad happening in the outer conflict, but rather an inner choice on the protagonist's part.

The Second Half of the Second Act is where your character shifts out of the reactive phase (in which the conflict is being controlled by the antagonist) and starts moving into the active phase (in which he starts taking control of the conflict for himself).

When planning your Midpoint, identify the Truth your character must recognize and create a mind-blowing scene to support it.

As you structure your character's arc in the First Half of the Second Act, be sure to incorporate these four important elements.

The effect of the First Plot Point on your character arc can be found in three important decisions your character must make.

The structure of character arc finds its foundation in the structure of plot - which begins with the First Act.

The Normal World creates the standard against which all the personal and plot changes to come will be measured.

Don't settle for anything less than spectacular for your Characteristic Moment. This is your opportunity to create a fun and effective scene that will introduce your character in a way readers will never forget.

Ghost is moviespeak for something in your character's past that haunts him.

The Lie Your Character Believes, which is the reason for all character arcs, is created from the conflict between the Thing He Wants and the Thing He needs.

Out of resistance comes conflict; out of conflict comes plot. This is the first of many ways in which plot and character arcs are inextricable.

Although the variations of character arcs are as endless as the vagaries of human nature, we can narrow character arcs down to three basic types, with a few primary variations upon each.

If you are wondering whether or not you might have opened your story too soon, ask yourself these questions.