The Novel Project: a Step-by-Step Guide to Your Novel, Memoir or Biography by Graeme Simsion

Author:Graeme Simsion
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Text Publishing Company
Published: 2022-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

Character arcs

A universal element of storytelling is that the protagonist, and sometimes other characters, will undergo a transformation, either intrinsically and / or in terms of how we perceive them as the story unfolds. Character arc is fundamental to the Hero’s Journey and adds depth to even a heavily plot-driven story, with the change—usually in the positive direction—creating an opportunity for a big emotional moment.

You can think of the transformation in terms of the character’s goals changing, typically from something explicit and pragmatic (outer goal) to something more personal and substantial (inner goal). Alternatively, you can frame it as a journey from what the character wants (superficial) to what they need (substantial), or as the overcoming of a flaw.

I find the three-question technique useful here too. If we interrogate what a character wants, to see where that desire comes from, we may find the deeper need. Hudson (and Don) want to be accepted by others. But behind that is a lack of comfort with who they are. Their need is to accept themselves.

The strongest portrayal of change is a decision, key to the direction or resolution of the story, that the reader realises is different from the one that the character would have made earlier. Sometimes it’s made explicit by the character facing essentially the same choice at two different points—‘before’ and ‘after’.

In the last sentence of the final chapter of The Rosie Result, Don announces to his assembled friends and family that he’s autistic and proud of it. This contrasts with his decision in the book’s first act to leave his job rather than identify as autistic.

Chances are you’ve identified some decisions of this kind already, but there may be room to do more. Ask yourself if and how each of your major characters could change in the course of the story, and begin thinking about how you’ll show those changes.

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