From Flawed to Formidable
Creating Characters that Flourish, Falter, or Forge Change
Why Character Arcs Are the Heart of Your Story
At the center of every unforgettable story lies an unforgettable character. Whether they rise to greatness, fall from grace, or remain steadfast and influence the world around them, characters captivate readers through their arcs—the emotional or psychological journey they take over the course of the story.
Character arcs make characters human, relatable, and dynamic. Whether they flourish by overcoming weaknesses, falter under the weight of their flaws, or forge change in the world around them without transforming themselves, well-crafted arcs give readers someone to root for, despise, or connect with.
Today, we’re going to be exploring how to craft compelling character arcs—whether your characters grow, decline, or remain steadfast while shaping the story’s direction.
Character Arc Types
Not every character’s journey is about triumph. To create dynamic and relatable characters, it’s important to understand the three core types of character arcs:
Flourishing Arcs (Positive): These arcs involve characters who grow or evolve in a positive direction, overcoming their flaws and emerging stronger or wiser.
Faltering Arcs (Negative): In these arcs, characters spiral into decline. They’re consumed by their flaws, leading to personal or moral collapse.
Flat Arcs (Neutral/Influence): Characters with flat arcs don’t change internally but instead forge change in others or the world around them. They stand firm in their beliefs, influencing others through their consistency.
Each type of arc serves a different purpose in storytelling. Choosing the right arc for your character helps deepen both their personal journey and the overall plot.
Where Every Arc Begins
Every compelling character arc starts with a flaw. Whether your character flourishes, falters, or forges change, it’s their flaw that drives their journey.
How to Build a Strong Flaw:
Identify the Core Weakness: What insecurity, fear, or personal blind spot holds your character back? This flaw will be the key to their emotional journey.
Show the Impact on Relationships: Flaws don’t exist in isolation. How does your character’s weakness affect the way they interact with others? Does it create conflict, tension, or misunderstandings?
Link the Flaw to the Plot: A strong flaw should create internal and external obstacles. How does it conflict with the challenges your character faces? How does it affect their decisions?
Prompt Example: "Describe a character whose ambition blinds them to the consequences of their actions. How does this flaw affect their relationships, especially with those closest to them?"
This prompt helps explore a character whose ambition leads to unintended consequences, setting up tension for either a flourishing or faltering arc.
Crafting Dynamic Arcs
With your character’s flaw established, it’s time to map out their journey. Here’s how to craft each type of arc:
Flourishing Arcs (Positive Growth):
Characters with flourishing arcs start out flawed but gradually overcome their weaknesses. Their journey is one of self-awareness, learning, and eventual growth.
Steps to Craft a Flourishing Arc:
Start with a Flaw: Show how the character’s flaw creates problems early in the story.
Introduce Growth Moments: As the story progresses, place the character in situations that force them to confront their flaw. Show gradual moments of change and self-improvement.
Turn the Tide: The climactic moment should demonstrate the character’s evolution. This could be a brave decision or a selfless act that proves their growth.
Prompt Example: "Create a scenario where your character is forced to face their deepest fear. How do they begin to change through this experience, and what small victories show their growth?"
This prompt focuses on a key moment of growth, helping you shape the character’s evolution as they begin to conquer their flaws.
Faltering Arcs (Negative Decline):
In a faltering arc, the character’s flaw doesn’t disappear—it consumes them. Their journey leads to downfall, failure, or a tragic outcome.
Steps to Craft a Faltering Arc:
Establish the Flaw’s Influence: Show how the character’s flaw affects their decision-making and relationships early in the story.
Show the Downward Spiral: As the plot unfolds, let the flaw deepen. Each new challenge should push the character further into their weakness.
End in Tragedy: The arc concludes with the character unable to escape their flaw, resulting in a personal or external downfall—whether it’s a broken relationship, a missed opportunity, or a tragic loss.
Prompt Example: "Your character makes a pivotal choice driven by their greatest flaw. Describe how this decision accelerates their decline, and what the consequences are for those around them."
This prompt helps focus on the critical moment when a character’s flaw leads to their downfall.
Flat Arcs (Neutral/Influence):
Flat arcs revolve around characters who remain largely unchanged but forge change in the world around them. Their steadfastness influences others or alters the plot’s direction.
Steps to Craft a Flat Arc:
Establish Stability: The character should start with strong convictions or a core belief that won’t waver throughout the story.
Show Their Influence: Instead of changing, these characters impact the world or other characters through their consistency.
Create a Ripple Effect: By the end, the character’s actions or beliefs should have significantly influenced others or shaped the story world, even if they themselves haven’t changed.
Balancing Character Growth and Plot
A character’s arc doesn’t stand alone—it must intertwine with the plot. The character’s internal journey should mirror the external events of the story, creating a balance between their personal growth and the larger narrative.
Tips for Integrating Arcs with Plot:
Use External Conflict as a Reflection of Internal Struggles: The challenges your character faces should reflect their inner flaws. Whether they’re growing or deteriorating, the plot should push them to confront their weaknesses.
Let the Arc Drive Key Plot Points: Major decisions and turning points in the story should be shaped by your character’s arc. Their growth, decline, or steadfastness should directly influence the story’s direction.
Show the Consequences: Whether your character flourishes, falters, or forges change, their journey must leave a mark on the story. Their decisions should have real, lasting consequences for both themselves and those around them.
Crafting Formidable Character Arcs
Here are some exercises to help you bring your character arcs to life:
Exercise 1 – Flawed Beginnings:
Outline your character’s core flaw. Write a scene that shows how this flaw leads to conflict or causes a significant problem for the character. This sets the foundation for their arc.
Exercise 2 – Turning Points:
Identify a key turning point in your character’s arc. Whether it’s a moment of growth, a deeper decline, or a major influence on another character, write a scene that highlights this pivotal moment.
Exercise 3 – Forging Influence:
For a flat arc, focus on how your character affects others. Write a scene where their consistent beliefs or actions have a profound effect on the decisions of another character or the outcome of a major event.
Conclusion
Crafting characters that flourish, falter, or forge change gives your story emotional depth and complexity. A character’s flaws are the foundation of their journey—whether they overcome their weaknesses, succumb to them, or remain steadfast in a world that changes around them.
I’d love to hear how you're developing your characters' arcs. Have any of these prompts sparked new ideas? Feel free to share your progress in the comments or reach out on social media! Whether your characters rise, fall, or influence others, their flaws will be what make them truly unforgettable.