The Power of Character Arcs

Without spoilers for Avengers: Endgame, let’s explore how the power of the Marvel movies isn’t about the plot or spectacle—but with the characters.

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The Power of Character Arcs

Character Arc Development: Is There a Best Approach?

There are almost an infinite number of ways we can develop our story. As long as we end up with a finished book, our process works. And just like the variety found in the overall writing processes we might use, we have many options for how to come up with our protagonist’s arc as well.

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Character Arc Development: Is There a Best Approach?

Building a Character Arc: Start at the End

As I mentioned with the worksheet I shared last week, it’s often easier to work backward when we’re framing our story. At the very least, knowing the ending often makes it easier to see our character’s arc.

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Building a Character Arc: Start at the End

Building a Theme through Character Arcs

We normally create stories where the point—the theme—is in line with our worldview. But it’s not unusual for our characters to hold opposite beliefs, even our protagonists. At least to start. And their story journey is often where our theme lies.

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Building a Theme through Character Arcs

Diversity in Writing: Researching Characters — Guest: Melinda Primrose

We often write about settings or jobs or situations we haven’t experienced, and diversity among our characters should be no different. Today’s guest post is about how we can research and learn more about experiences for which we don’t have first-hand knowledge and avoid the fear of “getting it wrong.”

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Diversity in Writing: Researching Characters — Guest: Melinda Primrose

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What’s Our Character’s Job? Here’s Help (& a Giveaway)!

Before we figure out how to tie our character’s occupation to the story, we might need to understand more about the job and what it means for them.

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What’s Our Character’s Job? Here’s Help (& a Giveaway)!

Realistic Character Occupations: My Experience as an Office Temp

What’s one way we can write authentic characters? We can use the work they do to inspire their characterization. Here’s my experience as an Office Temp to help give you ideas.

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Realistic Character Occupations: My Experience as an Office Temp

4 Tips for Creating the Right Impression of Our Characters

Last time, we discussed how to introduce our characters. Now, here are 4 tips for ensuring we’re giving readers the right impressions of our characters.

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4 Tips for Creating the Right Impression of Our Characters