Can a character start out with the truth but lose sight of it due to the first plot point kicking him out of the normal world, only to regain it after the third plot point brings him to a realization he got off the right path? Once you understand how to implement a positive change arc, not only do you understand the basic principles of all the character arcs, but you understand how to fill in the blanks in a story that is built around a flat arc.I kinda like the idea of the Mass Effect Trilogy.This reminds me of the Magic Feather from DumboYes, if you’re going to concentrate on giving arcs to characters beyond your protagonist, the antagonist is a great place to start. Sometimes, the arc doesn’t involve substantial internal change, and is more about the change they effect on the world around them — something often called a “flat arc.” When planning the arc of your central personalities, always look for the lie they believe , the truth they may or may not believe , and the goal that drives them . I’m familiar enough with the original to say. How to Create a Powerful Character Arc
I better get clearer on what my antagonist’s Lie is so I can figure this out. But he’s doing it for the wrong reason, and this is not some kind of personal flaws. They all touch on character arcs, but not directly. This is a great example. And this has inspired another idea for my story!It’s fine to have characters impact each other. Change your life. His arc begins as he confronts his painful past: his boyhood when the Lie started to take shape. As Humans are susceptible beings, heavily impacted by the circumstances around us. Will he go back to pursuing revenge? A flat character is a character with little to no complex emotions, motivations, or personality.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.One question: could a flat arc be positive or negative? He doesn’t arc. Thanks for going into detail about it.In short, they have a Doubt—and it keeps them seeking throughout the story, even as the undeniable power of their conviction in the Truth transforms other characters around them.I believe this is the same case with Captain America in Captain America Civil War if I am not mistaken in how he experienced a brief doubt in the beginning about whether going against the Accords was the right thing to do.To keep the story as thematically tight as possible, it’s nice if the Doubt aligns with the Lie–i.e., the character has reason to doubt the Truth, part of the Truth, or whether the Truth is really worth the sacrifice.Write your best story. As you proceed with your character development, consider how your characters are going to change throughout the story. I have a very important person who is a flat arc (without her things would really fall apart and it is related to the theme (truth). The book I am working on now will begin as a series of short stories featuring different flat line characters who are all let down by the lie. If you have, do you think MacReady — the protagonist — is a flat or positive arc character?Flat arcs can be tremendously powerful. If you’re apprehensive about the journey, fear not! Until the inciting incident introduces...Also like the positive arcs, Nick engages in a push-and-pull relationship between the Lie and the Truth for much of the story, until the Truth finally wins out in the end and Nick is able to see new “friends” for what they really are. I mentor authors primarily through my blog and writing how-to books. I think he almost NOT keeps believing that the world is an awful place.Not all action movies are Flat Arcs. Becoming a novelist is a lifelong dream for countless people, but how many of those people ever take the steps necessary to actually write a novel? I will need some time to digest this.

[…]…the protagonist changes his perspective, learns different skills, or gains a different role. Though I think my protagonist is best off having a flat arc One of them Changes, while the other remains Steadfast. I would love to hear your take on it!As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.And she’s pretty unshakable in that Truth—to the point that her blind faith allows for some of the story’s more humorous moments.Far better than I expected for the genre.His possession of the Truth must be strong enough throughout the story Sign up to receive K.M. Doubt, in essence, thus becoming the engine driving the second act as he makes his way back to the light?I agree. They’re not what they once were.Depending on how you play it out, he could be a positive change arc. Or is there truly a type of story with no character arc?Your lie in April and the Flat Character Arc – Weekend Otakuovercomes his great Lie in the first movieYep, this can definitely work. I’ve been studying Dramatica (found it thanks to the references on your blog) and they have an interesting proposition that if the main character remains steadfast (a flat arc), the impact character changes – and vice versa – as a result of their impact on each other. To craft a few effective and compelling static arcs of your own, I encourage you to consume these and other stories that feature characters fighting to hold true to their beliefs in the face of great temptation. to effectively impact the supporting charactersYou must choose a thematically-pertinent Doubt for your Flat-Arc protagonist. ), and finally participating, give him the strength to ignore his mom.How would you show characters allegiances to either the truth or the lie? Of course, you'll find plenty of online guides that will help … You could have the protagonist deal with a singular Doubt throughout the story, or smaller related Doubts in each book.Are there flat arcs that end in failure? The protagonist has not overcome a grand inner resistance or anything, he simply gained a new set of skills or assumed a new position, maybe discovered a talent he forgot he had, or a different vocation.The Lie is “an eye for an eye” and the Truth is “pick your battles”?Consider how other characters will be changed by the Flat-Arc character.