Writing strong character arcs

One thing I used to struggle with in my writing was creating strong character arcs. I knew how to create interesting, compelling characters… but I didn’t know how to make them grow. Over time, I came to realize that this was less an issue with how I shaped my characters and more of an issue with how I shaped my plot. The book Story Genius, recommended to me by my agent, has been hugely influential in how I create a plot that challenges my characters and forces them into growth, thereby creating a strong character arc. I highly recommend the book, but I also want to share some things I’ve learned about writing strong character arcs that may be helpful.

Determine wants and needs

Have you heard of the concept of the “I want” song in Disney movies? This is the moment in the plot where the character literally states, through song, what it is that they’re seeking. In The Lion King, it’s I Just Can’t Wait to be King. In The Little Mermaid, it’s Part of Your World (she wants to be where the people are!) 

While you likely aren’t writing an I Want song (unless you’re writing a musical, in which case, go for it) you SHOULD have a clear idea of what your main character wants… and your audience or readers should know, too. In fact, that goes for all of your major characters. What are they seeking? Why do they do the things that they do?

On top of that, you should also know what your characters need. A mentor of mine taught me very early on in my writing journey that the most interesting characters have wants and needs that are in direct opposition to each other. This will force them to grow and change to move beyond what they want and seek out what they need. This doesn’t mean they won’t eventually get what they want! They may or they may not. However, in order to facilitate growth, they have to determine what it is that they actually need. In an example from my own work, a recent character that I wrote wanted to impress her mentor, but what she needed was to figure out who she wanted to be independent of his influence. She could only determine who she truly was when she let go of that initial want.

Write a plot that challenges your character specifically

Have you ever been in a situation that’s so spectacularly upsetting that it feels like it was designed in a lab to target you specifically? Have you ever had an experience, painful or pleasant, that felt like it was tailored to force you to grow from it? That’s what you need to be doing to your main character(s).

This is a huge takeaway from Story Genius, but the author breaks it down in ways I never could, so don’t think that this bullet point is as explanatory as the book itself. I still think you should read it (this isn’t an ad, it’s just a really good book!)

You shouldn’t be dreaming up a plot and then putting a character in the midst of all of it and seeing how they react. It’s actually the opposite. You should design a plot specifically to exploit your character’s weaknesses and force them into growth. What makes a story interesting isn’t the literal series of events, it’s the way that the characters adapt within the story. It’s what happens with your specific character is challenged in specific ways.

Some people start with plot before they start with character. That’s okay. If that’s you, then it’s your job to design a character that will be challenged on a personal level by the circumstances. What specific fears, traumas, and personal failings would be challenged or triggered by the plot you’ve already laid out?

What are your character’s false beliefs?

Everyone has false beliefs; scars from their past that shape the way they see the world. Someone who had a massive falling out with their best friend may think that the only way to keep themselves safe is by not getting close to people. A person who went through a messy divorce may believe that they’re unlovable. A person who lost their family to violence may falsely believe that they can only find wholeness and closure through revenge. 

Once you determine what false beliefs your character carries with them, you can find ways to challenge their beliefs. Maybe they meet someone new who is just so captivating that they have to get to know them. Maybe they go up against a villain that forces them to examine their beliefs before they can be defeated. Maybe they have a life changing experience that teaches them to approach things differently. Regardless of what happens, challenging their false beliefs is a great way to write strong character arcs.

How do you write strong character arcs? If you have any advice, leave a comment below!