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TECH: Character Arcs (Part 3) (500 words)
Oct. 22nd, 2023 05:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mbarkerOriginal Posting 8/30/2019
I'm rather slowly working my way through Creating Character Arcs by K. M. Weiland. Chapter 1 talked about the Lie that the character believes. Some belief, some model, something that is out of step with reality, but the character believes it, and it causes problems, symptoms for them. Chapter 2, that I want to talk about today, is another conceptual chapter, where K. M. takes a look at what the character wants as opposed to what the character needs. The Lie that the character believes is the reason for the character arc, for their change. But, what they want usually is a perceived cure for the symptoms of that Lie. What they need, on the other hand, is truth. Truth with a capital T!So, what the character wants, often is a goal. What does the character want? Is it a major story goal? Looking at the goal, we are often taking the plot and making the goal an extension or reflection of something that really matters to the character at some deep level. So think about why does the character want this? Fairly often, what the character wants is external, physical.On the other hand, what the character needs is Truth, an antidote to the lie. Typically this isn't physical, although it often manifests as something physical or visual. It's a realization that transforms the character's view of the world and of themselves. Fairly often, the character is called to sacrifice what they want for what they need. Sometimes, this sets up them actually getting what they want.So, some questions to consider.1. How is the Lie holding the character back?2. How does the lie make the character unhappy or unfulfilled?3. What truth will disapprove the lie?4. How will the character learn the truth?5. What does the character want more than anything?6. How is the plot goal related to or an extension of what the character wants?7. Does the character believe that what he wants will solve personal problems?8. Is what he wants blocking what he needs?9. Does What He Needs block What He Wants, or, will he only be able to get What He Wants after getting What He Needs?10. How will the character's life be different once they embrace What He Needs?Remember, what he wants versus what he needs drives the internal conflict, and provides gasoline for the fire of the outer conflict.So, we have a lie, an untruth, that our character believes. Because of that, they want something. However, that's not what they need. So...As an exercise, take a look at a story with a positive character arc. Last time I asked you to identify the Lie that the character believes in this story. This time, add what the character wants, and what the character needs. See if you can pick those out and identify them in a short phrase or sentence. The lie the character believes, what the character wants, and what the character needs. Three pieces of information that shape the character arc. Watch for Part 4, where we'll talk about your character's ghost!
I'm rather slowly working my way through Creating Character Arcs by K. M. Weiland. Chapter 1 talked about the Lie that the character believes. Some belief, some model, something that is out of step with reality, but the character believes it, and it causes problems, symptoms for them. Chapter 2, that I want to talk about today, is another conceptual chapter, where K. M. takes a look at what the character wants as opposed to what the character needs. The Lie that the character believes is the reason for the character arc, for their change. But, what they want usually is a perceived cure for the symptoms of that Lie. What they need, on the other hand, is truth. Truth with a capital T!So, what the character wants, often is a goal. What does the character want? Is it a major story goal? Looking at the goal, we are often taking the plot and making the goal an extension or reflection of something that really matters to the character at some deep level. So think about why does the character want this? Fairly often, what the character wants is external, physical.On the other hand, what the character needs is Truth, an antidote to the lie. Typically this isn't physical, although it often manifests as something physical or visual. It's a realization that transforms the character's view of the world and of themselves. Fairly often, the character is called to sacrifice what they want for what they need. Sometimes, this sets up them actually getting what they want.So, some questions to consider.1. How is the Lie holding the character back?2. How does the lie make the character unhappy or unfulfilled?3. What truth will disapprove the lie?4. How will the character learn the truth?5. What does the character want more than anything?6. How is the plot goal related to or an extension of what the character wants?7. Does the character believe that what he wants will solve personal problems?8. Is what he wants blocking what he needs?9. Does What He Needs block What He Wants, or, will he only be able to get What He Wants after getting What He Needs?10. How will the character's life be different once they embrace What He Needs?Remember, what he wants versus what he needs drives the internal conflict, and provides gasoline for the fire of the outer conflict.So, we have a lie, an untruth, that our character believes. Because of that, they want something. However, that's not what they need. So...As an exercise, take a look at a story with a positive character arc. Last time I asked you to identify the Lie that the character believes in this story. This time, add what the character wants, and what the character needs. See if you can pick those out and identify them in a short phrase or sentence. The lie the character believes, what the character wants, and what the character needs. Three pieces of information that shape the character arc. Watch for Part 4, where we'll talk about your character's ghost!
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