Characterology 4 Characters Arcs 2
Hello Class, welcome back to the next part of our Characterology module! Today, we’ll continue with Character Arcs, and I want to address a very pertinent question before we dive in: Why do characters need to go on this journey? Why do they have their wants?
This question is closely related to the Outline and prewriting part of the process. Everything is interconnected, and it’s more related to characters than it might initially seem.
As the author, you need to be mindful of the overarching conflict, the “terrible thing” that happens, before you start writing—at least in theory. We often have this neat little delusion that we must complete things in stages before moving on and that going back is a sort of failure on our part, something that shouldn’t happen. This is a delusion, a lie we tell ourselves for comfort. Truth be told, with writing, nothing is straightforward.
Why? Because your characters, yes, you set everything in motion when you pen the story, and yes, you are the one that keeps the story moving forward, but those who shape the story are your characters. And you get to know your characters as you write.
You may be thoroughly convinced that you have everything preplanned and secure, but your characters will often say otherwise, and you better listen.
Writing isn’t an exact science, no matter how much you want to soothe yourself into believing otherwise. However, there is another side to this. It may be their story, but you are the author, and you should be in control. Yes, your characters shape the story, but you are the one moving it forward. You started it, and you have control and power over it.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect your story and your characters in turn. When I say “you should listen to what your characters say,” it’s not for you to be controlled by them but to understand them and what they have to say.
It’s also important to listen to yourself. Don’t run bullheaded into a wall just because you’re married to a single idea. That’s not a happy marriage; that’s a very toxic relationship that will destroy your work drive. Dogma, without wisdom, blinds the sufferer and causes internal death before the body gives in. If an arc isn’t working, there are countless factors at play, from your own level of skill to the tools you’re using.
As for why characters go on their journeys, think about why you are writing. Why are you doing anything? Yes, this treads into the realm of philosophy a bit, but there’s no other answer. Maybe there is something your characters need to deal with, maybe it’s some big event forcing them into action, or maybe they go on the journey simply because they want to.
Answering these questions depends on an emerging process that occurs as you write. As much as you want to lie to yourself, it can’t happen otherwise.
Above all, for a proper character arc, be mindful of yourself and your characters.
