All writers and readers have encountered character arcs, even if they did not realize it. Character arcs are what builds, changes, and motivates the characters of a story. As a writer, it may be difficult to choose which one to pursue. Here are the three basic types of character arcs to choose from:
The Change Arc
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As the most resonant and relatable type of character arc, the Change Arc is quite popular in novel series. It involves a protagonist who begins their journey with certain feelings of personal unfulfillment and/or denial. Take Harry Potter for example, who in the first novel knew he was different because of the strange things he seemed to be able to do, though knew nothing about his abilities or his past as The Boy Who Lived. With the Change Arc, the protagonist is forced to challenge their beliefs about themselves and the world as the story unravels. Then they will finally conquer their inner demons (and the antagonist in the process) as well as end their arc having changed in a positive way.
The Flat Arc
This character arc is interesting and can be found in many different stories. When characters are already well-developed with a good sense of who they are and the world around them, they have a Flat Arc. Those types of heroes do not need any more inner strength or personal growth to defeat external conflicts or the antagonists of their story. You will see that these characters sometimes act as catalysts for change in the world they live in, and help minor characters with their personal growth instead.
The Negative Arc
Negative character arcs are not as prominent as the Positive and Flat arcs. Characters with these types of arcs basically encounter the opposite of what the Positive Arc offers. Instead of a character growing out of their faults into a better person with a better understanding of the world around them, the Negative Arc involves a character who ends up in a worse state than how they began in the story. Put simply, the Negative character arc is about failure. Unlike the Positive Arc and Flat Arc that are all about redeeming themselves or saving others, the negative character arc is about destroying themselves and others. These stories tend to have quite a negative outcome, where the hero does not save the day. They completely demolish it.
When choosing an arc for your characters, it is important to question the intentions or motivations of the character and the desired outcome of the story. Do you want the story to have a happy ending? Then the Change and Flat arcs would be ideal. But if you wanted a story of destruction (both internal and external), the Negative character arc should be used. Understanding what you would like as the end product of the story can help you determine how or if your characters will grow and develop.
For more information on character arcs and how to choose them, visit the articles: "How to Figure Out Your Character's Arc," "How to Write Character Arcs," and "What Character Arcs Really Mean."
