The main reason I disagree with people who claim every story fits the hero’s journey, is that it’s not the only character arc out there, and it really doesn’t fit every story. While I wasn’t sure why exactly my story doesn’t fit the description when I wrote the post on The Hero’s Journey – My Pros and Cons, my late yet intense study of Story Structure made things much clearer to me. So I’m excited to share my conclusions with you!
Character arcs. A character starts out as some guy, then stuff happens and he does some pretty crazy shit, which in turn changes who he is so he becomes a different guy. The end.
In all honesty, character arcs are so easy to explain because we’ve all experienced them. None of us is still the person we were with three years of age, or thirteen, or thirty. We all change, some for the better, some for the worse, and some change sideways. Hey, it’s alright, as long as we move on. It’s the same with characters, they move on as the story progresses, but the WAY in which they move on usually falls into one of three major categories.
Here be definitions.
*clears throat*
The Change Arc — this is our good old “hero’s journey”, which basically has the protagonist change from an unlikely fellow into a savior and hero. This transformation is quite radical, and despite some inner strength that was “always within him”, pretty much all else about the protagonist changes drastically by the end of the story.
The Growth Arc — in this character arc, the protagonist overcomes an internal opposition (weakness, fear, the past etc.) while he faces an external opposition, and as a result he becomes a fuller, better person. He’s still pretty much who he was, just upgraded to Protagonist 2.0.
A common yet often overlooked variant of the Growth Arc is The Shift Arc — here, the protagonist changes his perspective, learns different skills, or gains a different role. The end-result is not “better” or more than the starting point, just different. The protagonist has not overcome a grand inner resistence or anything, he simply gained a new set of skills or assumed a new position, maybe discovered a talent he forgot he had, or a different vocation.
The Fall Arc — commonly known as a “tragedy”, the Fall Arc follows the protagonist as he dooms himself and/or others, and declines into insanity, immorality or death.
That’s it, three very different character arcs. And before anyone starts on semantics, yeah, I know growth implies change and change implies growth and bla-be-di-bla-blah. The point is to understand the different degrees and types of personal change, not to find out who’s vocabulary is bigger and harder, right? 😉
So we’ve got three major types of character arcs. How come so many people confuse them all for the “hero’s journey”? Well, I think it’s because the hero’s journey shows the most dramatic character change, and it’s the most common. It’s fairly easy to mistake it’s structure for THE character arc structure, instead of recognizing that it simply shares the same basic elements of character-driven story structure with other types of character arcs. It’s the story structure beneath it that’s universal, not the “hero’s journey” itself.
*sips some water*
*chokes on it and looks like a dork*
So which type of character arc should we pick for our story? That’s also easy to find out. All we have to do is to answer two questions:
1. What do we want our character to be like when the story reaches its glorious conclusion?
2. What do we want our character to start out as?
par example — If we want him to become the leader of a group of people, and we want him to start out as just any other member of that group, then we’re writing a Change Arc (everything else will fall flat and fail to make the ending believable).
But if he starts out as the leader of a rivaling group of people, then we have three possibilities:
– a Growth Arc if the rivaling group are the “bad guys” and our protagonist learns the error of his ways;
– a Shift Arc if the rivaling group are also “good guys” but with opposing interests;
– and a Fall Arc if the rivaling group are the actual “good guys” and our protagonist ends up leading the powers of darkness.
Knowing where we want our character to be at the resolution of the story, and knowing how they start out, gives us the kind of character arc we will need to develop. That’s important, because knowing what that arc is early on, will help us figure out what kind of scenes to write, what their impact will have to be on the character and what types of decisions they will have to make along the way. Not in detail, not exactly what they will decide and do, but what kind of personal attitude and strength (or weakness) they must bring to the table in which part of the story.
Okay.
Now we know the starting point of our character and who we want them to be when the story reaches its finale. What we also need to know is the basic story structure that lives underneath every coherent, successful story. If you’ve read Larry Brooks’ awesome writing advice, heard Dan Wells’ funny lecture, or read Les Edgerton’s brilliant insights, then you know where I’m headed. If not, here’s my very quick definition of story structure, mixing these three perspectives with my own:
1. Set up
– showing the protagonist in his accustomed environment or role
– inciting incident — something stirs the waters, creates a surface problem to be solved, or promises trouble in the future
– first plot point — the true story problem is revealed, the core conflict that drives the story; everything changes from now on, it’s a point of no return
2. Reaction
– the protagonist refuses to face his new problem or pursue the new goal; he reacts to the change with denial, refusal or flight
– first pinch point — pinch points are used to create tension and apply pressure to the protagonist; the first pinch point is usually where the antagonist is revealed, or the gravity of the new situation is made clear
– mid-point — a critical piece of information is introduced which changes everything again — the protagonist’s (and readers’) understanding of the nature of the problem is altered; also, the protagonist decides he must stop running and act
3. Attack
– the protagonist becomes proactive, and starts to attack the villain or tackle his problem; however, he fails or worsens the situation (try/fail cycles that increase tension)
– second pinch point — the antagonist (or opposing force) reveals their full strength, and all seems hopeless and lost; the protagonist reaches his lowest point
– second plot point — the last piece of critical information is introduced, and now the protagonist understands how to defeat the antagonist, or what to do in order to solve his problem (it can be an external piece of the puzzle, or the realization that the “power is within him”)
4. Resolution
– everything we’ve set in motion comes together now; no new information or characters are introduced
– climax — the actual show-down between protagonist and antagonist (or opposing force), in which the story promise is fulfilled (more on that in a future post)
– denouement — the protagonist assumes his new position, and major loose ends are tied up; also, if need be, the hook for the sequel is introduced or hinted at
All clear?
So how does story structure look when it comes to the different types of character arc?
The Change Arc Story Structure
1. Setup
Old order: the protagonist in his natural environment, with his old role and familiar problems; usually the opposite of what he will end up.
– inciting incident = the hero is ripped out of his normal life and environment by a change
– first plot point = the hero learns or decides he must embark on a new journey
2. Reaction
– first pinch point = the nature of the opposing force is revealed; the hero reacts (flees, hides, refuses to take responsibility, tries to escape or break-off the journey, etc.)
– mid-point = something happens which makes the hero realize he must assume his new role and grow into it, and take the fight to the villain
3. Attack
– second pinch point = the villain gains the upper hand (either the hero’s allies fall to the villain, or the villain is shown in full strength, dominating the field); it seems as though the hero has no chance, and he reaches his lowest point
– second plot point = the last piece of information is delivered or discovered, and now the hero knows exactly how to defeat the villain; by this point he has also grown into his new role, and can use his new skills
4. Resolution
– climax = show-down between hero and villain, where the hero uses all he’s learned, and even more (a daring move, a genius tactic, or simply a previously untried combination of skills) to emerge victorious
– denouement = the hero returns to his old environment as a new person, and is now accepted and praised for his new role.
Sounds very familiar, right?
Now here’s the structure of a Growth or Shift character arc. Either one is frequently found in romance novels, thrillers, horror, adventure, even science-fiction.
The Growth & Shift Arc Story Structure
1. Setup
Old order: the protagonist is pursuing some semi-interesting goal that he thinks is the most important thing for him; or he’s just going about his merry life
– inciting incident = a change happens, which hints that what he thinks he wants (his old goal) might not be what he should be pursuing, or not what he really needs; or he meets someone who makes him question his perspective on things. Note: in Growth & Shift arcs, the inciting incident is usually very subtle, and in fast-paced thrillers it can even coincide with the first plot point
– first plot point = the protagonist does something that sets him on an entirely different path (can be a perceived mistake, a misunderstanding, etc.); or something happens to the protagonist that forces him to change his direction, and he sets a new goal; or he is simply given the opportunity to do something that has nothing to do with his old goal, but which turns out to be just the challenge he needs to get out of his rut
2. Reaction
– first pinch point = the new path brings only trouble to the protagonist, and he tries to drop the new goal, flee from the new problem, force his way back into his old life, or simply tackle it the way he’s always tackled things in his life (it obviously needs to fail); the first pinch point is the moment the protagonist meets true opposition, hardship or failure
– mid-point = a crucial piece of information is revealed that changes the protagonist’s perspective on the whole situation, and thus his understanding and his tactics; it can be the transition from reaction to action, or simply a radical change of approach in fixing the problem he’s facing
3. Attack
– second pinch point = the protagonist’s first attempt to do things right this time, but he screws things up even more; or the opposing force (must not always be a “bad guy”, it can be an abstract problem, a mystery, the odds mounting against the couple coming together, whatever) pulls the rug from under the protagonist’s feet leaving him hopeless and devastated
– second plot point = the last bit of information is discovered (or the last straw falls on the camel’s back), that helps the protagonist take the difficult decision or make the right move to reach his goal
4. Resolution
– climax = the protagonist faces his problem head-on, and succeeds
– denouement = the protagonist gets to fully enjoy the fruits of his hard work (gets the love of his life, defeats the mafia, etc.)
And finally, we have the structure of the Fall character arc, commonly known as a tragedy in literary circles.
The Fall Arc Story Structure
1. Setup
Old order: protagonist is happy, safe and fulfilled
– inciting incident = something interferes with the protagonist’s happiness; this can either be a suspicion, the past coming to haunt him, a new person interfering with his life, etc.
– first plot point = the moment when the new disturbance causes old personal demons to show their ugly faces, or when it directly endangers the protagonist’s way of life; from now on, it’s clear that not all is well in paradise, and that something must be done
2. Reaction
– first pinch point = because Fall character arcs typically have an internal plot (even if it’s garnished with external conflicts and transitory antagonists), the first pinch point is the moment when the protagonist finds the first undoubtable evidence that something is wrong with him, with someone close to him, or with everyone else (humanity, the world, etc.)
– mid-point = the protagonist confronts his suspicions or the person he believes to be the cause of the disturbances, and realizes the situation is much worse than expected; this can take many shapes, from confronting a suspected loved one for having an affair, or confronting the shady coworker for conspiring against him, down to confronting imagined (or delusion-induced) antagonists in unfavorable circumstances, which only lead to the protagonist becoming convinced of an even greater evil going on
3. Attack
– second pinch point = this is where the protagonist does the first truly horrendous thing (to protect himself or others); it’s a point of no return for him in his transition from normalcy to despair, decay or immorality. Instead of an outside antagonist proving his power, we have the protagonist do something that would have previously been considered uncharacteristic, something born out of fear, jealousy, hatred or delusion, which will set the avalanche of character failure in motion
– second plot point = the last piece of critical information comes into play, and it devastates the protagonist; it can be proof that he was wrong the entire time but now it’s too late to make good on his actions, or it can be the last piece of the puzzle he’s trying to solve which reveals the only possible action left to take — and it’s not a positive one
4. Resolution
– climax = the protagonist takes that final action which seals the deal; he dies, kills someone, loses his sanity, dooms a great number of people, or something equally tragic
– denouement = if there even is a denouement (in case the protagonist dies, especially if he’s also the narrator, then the story ends at the climax); now the protagonist is shown in the new context, doomed by suffering or displaying the characteristics of a villain
That’s about it. Three different types of character arcs, all based on the same underlying story structure.
In the case of my story—which I’m currently reworking on a “detailed outline” level (to give you awesomely supportive guys a little update)—the protagonist follows a Growth Arc. She does not change fundamentally as the story progresses, but she changes her role and defeats internal opposition as she faces external odds. She evolves and grows, but she doesn’t become a hero, savior, role model or anything like that. It’s most definitely not a hero’s journey, but it definitely is a character arc with all the necessary elements that show innner conflict and change. I bet if you haven’t written such a story, you can at least think of one you’ve read, which has a strong character arc but no “journey” to heroism. Right?
Oh, and one more important thing.
I strongly believe there are no laws in fiction, only guidelines. There are exceptions to every rule, black sheep in every herd and a genius in every generation. But I think it’s safer—for me—to assume that I am not the exception, the black sheep or genius among all others, until actual real experience proves otherwise. I find it better to start out following a proven structure, and try to shine with my concept and characters, than to break rules haphazardly in hopes of creating something unique.
We need to take a good look at the needs of our individual stories and respect them, not force them into a mold or experiment on them like we’re Mengele’s apprentices. 😉
So what type of character arc have you written in your latest story? I’m curious!
I think I mentioned it in your post about the Hero’s Journey, but I think a lot of the confusion and differing opinions on the writerly side of things comes from the fact that Joseph Campbell never really intended the Monomyth to be used as a guideline for crafting new stories, but rather as a tool to deconstruct them and find common threads (as a way to analyze not just the story’s themselves, but the people and cultures they came from). It’s certainly not a bad thing that so many successful writers have been able to use it as a blueprint, but it’s at the point now where not only is it often overused and misunderstood, but it can be very limiting creatively if you’re using it like a checklist for your outline/character development. And I don’t think Campbell meant for it to be so set in stone anyway. As such, I think anyone taking inspiration from the Hero’s Journey would be well suited to take a look at stuff like what you’ve outlined in this post, to avoid getting trapped in the Monomyth just because it seems like a proven formula, and to enrich the Campbell’s skeleton with some unique flavor of your own.
As to the actual topic at hand (ramble ramble ramble), as you know, I’m working on short stories, where one is a bit more free to play around with structure and character arcs. But I think if I had to pick one from above that best fits the story I’m about to start work on, it will most likely end up with a Shift Arc based on what’s swimming around in my head. There is definitely a change in store for my character, but the stakes and the circumstances mean that there are no real “bad guys,” just a bunch of people trying to do the right thing, some of whom may or may not be idiots. 🙂
Anyway, very nice rundown, Vero! As I’ve said before, I love stuff like this. Can’t get enough of it.
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Agreed. Using methods intended to deconstruct and understand story-structure to build a story from scratch can definitely trap a grand number of people in formulaic constructions. All these things are meant as suggestions, approximate and generalized, they’re not strict recipes. That’s why I find it so important to show the alternatives, to talk about them, to remind myself and others (if I can) that there is no right way, only a well-tread way, and even that one leaves a LOT of room open for individual experimentation.
Short stories typically represent only a crucial episode in a character’s life, but it’s precisely the episode which matters most, in which the biggest change occurs. (Of course there are stories which are more or less biographies of the character’s entire life, but those are fairly easy to see from a character arc point-of-view). In the case of the “life episode” short stories, the arc is much shorter. I wouldn’t even call it an arc, but a transition. The core elements of character arcs apply, certainly, but in a much more condensed way. I think you’ve done that very well until now, James. 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
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This is very timely for me. I’ve hit the 30,000 word mark in my first story and I’m just not happy with how the protagonist is developing. I looked over the ‘hero’s journey’ again but knew it wouldn’t work as they’re already competent at what they do, it’s just that the stakes have been dramatically raised. The growth/shift arc is a great template – thank you very much for saving me a lot of wasted time!
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Thanks, Mark! Very glad I could be of help — I’ve had a terrible dilemma for a whole while about the impossibility to squeeze my protagonist’s story into the hero’s journey. I felt that I wasn’t doing it right, that I was missing something, but the more I studied the more I realized that’s not the problem. I was trying to stuff a square into a round hole. 😉
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I do so love your informative posts, Vero. You’ve been writing since you were two haven’t you 🙂
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Thanks a bunch, Brian! 😀 Yeah, I’ve been writing all my life, but I had no freakin’ clue what I was doing until a few years ago when I started seriously studying storytelling and the writing craft.
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I’m so glad I’ve come across this post. Right now, I’m polishing a manuscript with 4 protagonists. Each of them aren’t growing in the same way. I’ve had critique partners try to make 1 fit the hero mold, but it doesn’t work for her. Now I can see why and I have some direction to make sure I’ve got her “growth” right. Thank you!
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Wow, cool! Thanks for letting me know the post helped you with your own work, Theresa! That’s great. Wish you a lot of fun developing your characters the way they need to for your story. 🙂
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Great stuff, Veronica! I like how you’ve dileniated the types of character arcs into change, shift, fall, etc. It’s something I’ve always had a “suspicion” about, but I was told it’s all about the “Hero’s Journey” at every writing workshop/program I ever attended. Thanks for sharing and making it easy to understand and follow.
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Thanks, Cynthianna! Glad you found the post useful. Keep writing and trusting your gut! 🙂
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Thanks so much! One of my fellow writers from the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association posted the link to your website. I’m going to pass your info along to one of my writer’s groups.
I find it somehow reassuring that even experienced writers remind themselves of these “guidelines”. As a long time writer who only recently finished my first novel and is in revisions I am finding this sort of information very valuable. It’s great to be in profession where your colleagues help you!
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Thanks for the comment, Cerrissa! 🙂
I’m so glad you found the post useful, and that it could bring some clarity to the whole character arc conundrum. I wish you the best of luck — and tons of fun — with your writing.
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Thanks for this! Just what I needed today
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Glad to be of service. 😉
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What a great post! I’m 30,000 words into my first novel with no real experience or knowledge of the craft. I have just been writing and allowing the story to lead me where it will. Fortunately, I appear to have set my protagonist on a ‘change arc’ without really knowing it! Your post has made clear what it is I’m doing – such a relief :O) Now I can just get on with it but with a clearer idea of where I’m going – thank you
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Glad you found the post useful, Sue! Happy writing! 🙂
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Change, growth and fall are actually all reflections of the same arc. The process for all is the same. See http://kalbashir.com/Writing-Character-Arc.html
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Exactly what I thought Sarah, I think they are all of the same arc. Stages even
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great article. Well done and thanks. I’ll be reading this again I think.
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Thanks, Sean!
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Thanks for the great info Veronica…it is EXTREMELY helpful! 🙂
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Thanks! Glad you found it useful.
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Good article. Thanks, very helpful!
But the protagonist doesn’t need to go through a change. It could be the main character going through the change, protagonist pursuing goal no?
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John, the main character IS the protagonist. What you mean may be the narrator, which doesn’t necessarily have to be the MC/protagonist, and who indeed doesn’t need to go through any changes. The narrator can even be the author, in the case of omniscient POV. But I bet every author goes through a change when they work on a novel, eh? 😉
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Hi – Just wanted to say thanks for writing this article, I’m an MA Student and this is so helpful in getting to grips with character arc.
Thanks!
Paul
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Thanks, Paul! Glad it could be of some use to you. 🙂
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OMG! This is the biggest epiphany of my life as a writer and hopefully a turning point in my writing. This is what I have been waiting for, the key to unlock my plot. I cannot thank you enough for this clear, easy to follow guide. I have never heard it put so perfectly and I love the examples. Thank you and I will be using this. One more thing, would I be able to share this article with my online writing community? I know a lot of other people who could benifit from this too!
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Wow, thank you for your comment, you more than made my day! *beaming*
I’m thrilled you found my post useful. Of course you can share it with others, that’s the whole point of me bashing my head against hundreds of writing advice books & articles—not to mention my own writing—and distilling what I find useful. I love sharing what I find, because I love it each time someone else helps me really grasp a thing I’m struggling with. 🙂
Good luck with your writing!
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So, basically, Star Wars Epidsode III was a Fall Arc, Star Wars IV was a Change Arc, and Star Wars V and VI were Growth Arcs. Got it. That’s pretty interesting. I never thought of the story structure being the universal component. But interestingly enough, why do we stick to this structure? Why can’t a protagonist just get run-over by a car for no reason and just end there?
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Short answer: Because that’ll piss readers (viewers) off. 😀
Longer answer: A story, in order to be a satisfying experience, needs to feel complete, as in it needs to have certain things like a beginning, a development and an ending. What’s in between those is up to the writer, but those are pretty much necessary.
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Really good stuff! Thanks for your input.
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I have been reading your blog post and I can liken them to golden nuggets. I like your balance and your references. I have gained a from these post. Although, you are not a romantic writer the core of your info is applicable. thanks for writing for people like me.
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Thanks a lot, Marlene! I’m very glad you found them useful. 🙂
Good luck with your writing.
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I just want to say that this is absolutely brilliant. Exactly what I was looking for! I was first introduced to the 7 Point structure by Dan Wells on the Writing Excuses podcast and have used it ever since for plotting and layering subplots. Unfortunately his YouTube videos don’t go into very much detail reguarding character arcs, specifically tragic character arcs (my personal favourite). This article has given me exactly what I needed to plot out and revise my characters. Thank you so much!
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I’m glad you found it useful, H.! Thanks for stopping by to comment. I wish you the best with your writing! 🙂
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Today I stumbled onto a treasure trove while digging among the internet pickings. I wish you could’ve seen my eyes and mind light up when I pried open your jewel-filled blog. I learned more in the “arc” blog than all my other writing studies. I gleefully look forward to more of your expertise and crystal-clarity.
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Thanks, Billy! I’m very glad you found the post helpful.
You might also like to read the story structure posts:
How to brainstorm your story idea into a working concept
Confessions of a converted structuralist, or How I realized the error of my ways
I know that I couldn’t write stories worth jack without good understanding of story structure. 🙂
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“Common” is spelled with two m’s. 🙂
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Whee, that one slipped right past me. Corrected. Thanks! 🙂
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Thank you so much for the wonderful post! It’ll really help me on my short story writing. One question: Is the post only applied to novel (especially the pinch/plot point stuffs)? Or is it also applied to short story?
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I’m not a short story writer, but from what I know, short stories are usually focused on one major event in the protagonist’s life. A defining moment. They should go through all major stages of character development, because this crucial moment usually brings great change for the character. But it’s not always necessary or possible to have all stages in there, and mostly they can be combined.
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I’ve found Freytag’s Triangle to be the best structure for short stories, as it’s simpler and looser than some of the others. The Hero’s Journey is too complex for a short story. The basic structural concept is the same though, Set Up, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution. The Character Arc is simpler, but change must take place. Great post Veronica. I’ll be sharing it for sure 🙂
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Thank you so much for the wonderful post! It’ll really help me on my short story writing. One question: Novel character arc(s) VS. short story character arc(s)?
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I’m glad you liked the post, Sean. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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Hello and Happy New Year!
I was looking for a good explanation about character arcs and found your post on Google. Just want to say thanks because it helped me a lot. I have read Joseph Campbell’s books and the book from Christoper Vogle, The Writer’s Journey.
I am completing my first manuscript with my writing coach and character arcs are a biggy. You have helped me in that I see that my character arc for my female protagonist is more about growth and shifting.
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
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Thanks, Pat! I’m glad you found my break-down of character arcs useful!
I know it’s so harrowing sometimes, when you know you have a good, solid character arc but then every website and coach talks about transformation and you go… ungh… neah… ending up feeling like your character is broken just because she doesn’t make a 180° turn.
Profound personal transformation isn’t the only way to become more and to evolve. Growth and shift are far more common, in life as well as in fiction. 🙂
I wish you the best with your work — and have faith in your characters!
Happy New Year!
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Great insights on story structure, I went looking for a discussion of reveletory arc (your shift/growth) & came away with a fresh take on the concept…and a word picture of possessing an engorged vocabulary, so…thanks? 🙂
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Thanks, Smith! Very glad you found my post useful.
Have fun writing!
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Thank you! I know this is an old article but it is saving me today. My book is MG HF with 2 protagonists. One has a very clear arc. The other one, annd I actually like this MC much better, seemed flat because her transformation is lacking the drama of her counterpart. Your article made me see that her shift in perspective is valid. I was on the verge of erasing her and only writing from one POV but your article is giving her a shot at sticking around. Of course she may turn out to be a doomed little darling but for now she lives to fight another day.
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I’m really glad it was of help to you, Jill! 🙂
I agonized long and hard over my own MC having a “softer” character arc despite having a more than remarkable and exciting life. She might not be the typical heroine and so on, but screw all that. Sometimes characters are their own people, and sometimes stories deserve to be told even if they don’t fit the mold. 🙂
Good luck — to you and your steadfast MC!
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Three years’ worth of positive comments. I’ll add mine to them.
I’d been struggling with the model of the hero’s journey, trying to balance that with some of Sean Coyne’s observations on Anti-plot and Mini-plot. I kept thinking that the hero’s journey just doesn’t fit so many great books. I found your post after looking, like a number of others, for a broader picture of character (and might I say, story) arc.
Thanks.
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Hey Russ! I’m glad you found it useful. There certainly are more than just The One character arc to rule them all. It was quite a breakthrough in understanding for me too, when I first realized that it’s not just the Hero’s Journey or bust. 🙂
Have fun writing!
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Hello Veronica,
I’m making a sort of survey of criticisms of “The Writer’s Journey” and the restrictions it may impose on story and character and found your helpful essay.
Have you studied or attempted to write a “static” main character?—i.e. one who does not undergo a significant change or arc themselves, but rather goads, inspires, forces etc., transformative change in others?
Two examples in film might be Flora in “Cold Comfort Farm,” and Luke in “Cool Hand Luke” (two terrific movies):
Flora is very active and effective in cleverly changing those around her, while remaining relatively unchanged herself.
Luke faces vigorous effort by others to make him change/conform, but resolutely stands firm to his own individualism—always remaining “cool” in the face of antagonism.
(You can probably think of other successful stories with similarly static main characters.)
I’d say that these strong yet unchanging character traits are what make these two characters and stories so appealing.
I ask because I’m writing about a similar character—an historical figure with an established personality—and such a static character is essentially at odds with the usual character arcs. (Or is it?)
Do you have any thoughts on this sort of “static” main character and/or suggestions about how to approach them?
Thanks!
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Hi Mitchell! I’m glad you liked the post. 🙂
I haven’t written a static character (yet) like the ones you describe, but I certainly know what you mean. They can be really powerful, and often in these cases their lack of change and their steadfast (perhaps rigid) character is exactly the point or theme of the story.
I don’t have much concrete advice to give, just a few comments. As an author, you can say just as much about human nature, adaptability and reaction to adversity through a flexible, growing character as through an inflexible, static one. After all, in real life not all people change when faced with extreme circumstances. Some don’t, which can be a source of great drama and even tragedy. Their inability or unwillingness to adapt to the changing world or changing people (and you must have a changing world in your story that follows its own arc, if you don’t have a changing protagonist, because without great change there is no conflict, and without conflict there is no story), can be a great way to explore human strength, resilience, integrity, or conversely, remorselessness, inflexibility, lack of moral growth, etc.
Good luck and all the best with your writing!
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Thanks, Veronica, for your thoughts. Especially helpful is the reminder to place a static protagonist in a changing world that follows its own arc (typically in conflict with the static/steadfast character).
It’s a pretty basic point (parenthetical, even), but, for me, deserves reinforcement; it’ll be helpful in clarifying my approach. Again, thanks!
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What kind of story/character arc would it be if it were something where the character is good, dealing with some harsh life circumstances, seems to overcome, but in the end the world defeats them and they die. I am struggling to find a place where this fits, yet stories like this happen all the time in the real world. Like someone who battles cancer a few times, gains an extremely positive outlook, is a fighter and makes the most of life. But then they get cancer again and this time they do not beat it.
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@ Tabetha: That would be a tragedy. Any story in which the protagonist ends up dying tragically is automatically a tragedy, no matter what kind of arc s/he had up to that point.
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