Do your novel characters lack depth and evolution? In this comprehensive guide on how to write engaging character arcs, we delve into the art of crafting complex characters that readers can deeply connect with. The key? Introducing adversity and struggle that promotes growth and evolution.
Injecting Conflict for Character Depth
Characters that don’t have to struggle may fall flat, limiting their growth. Injecting adversity into their lives adds depth, aiding in crafting engaging character arcs that readers want to cheer on and see if they make it out of their struggles.
Exploring Character Arcs: A Case Study of John
Imagine John, an esteemed military veteran grappling with PTSD. His war memories haunt him, shattering his personal life. John has chosen to hide behind a façade of normalcy, evading his past rather than confronting it. But when a surprise visit from an old comrade triggers a severe PTSD episode, John can no longer avoid his reality. He stumbles, isolates himself, and spirals into depression but eventually seeks help. He learns to accept his past, manage his PTSD, and rebuild his personal life. This powerful narrative illustrates a compelling character arc, capturing readers’ hearts and minds and transforming them from mere spectators to empathetic companions because now they want to root for him. They want him to succeed.
The Pitfall of Rapid Resolution
Consider the same character, John, a decorated military veteran with lurking PTSD. Instead of grappling with his haunting memories, imagine if John’s PTSD surfaces but is promptly resolved. Upon meeting his old comrade, John experiences a mild bout of anxiety, but he quickly reigns in his emotions, downplays the incident, and moves on.
While this version of John demonstrates resilience, it limits the scope for character evolution. The swift resolution doesn’t allow readers to delve into the depths of John’s struggle, rendering his character arc shallow and his transformation insignificant. The character’s pain and conflict, which could have been the narrative’s driving force, becomes a fleeting episode, insufficient to pique and sustain readers’ interest.
The Risk of Low Stakes: Disengaging Readers
Since John’s problems don’t seem to have lasting consequences, the stakes feel low. Readers are less invested in his journey because the struggle and growth – crucial elements in crafting engaging character arcs – are notably absent. Thus, a prematurely resolved conflict undermines the narrative’s potential to fully engage the readers, leading them to question the significance of John’s journey and their decision to follow along.
Tips on How to Write Engaging Character Arcs:
- Diving Deep: Immersion in Conflict: Your characters should not simply encounter issues and quickly and easily overcome them. They need to feel the full effect of the consequences. For instance, it’s not enough for John to simply show his daily struggles without actually succumbing to the PTSD effects. Having him have a mental breakdown and his growth out of it will amplify character engagement.
- Cause and Effect: Moving the Story Forward: Every action must evoke a reaction. If a soldier with PTSD is burdened by his past and pushes away his loved ones, it should visibly strain his relationships. He should feel those problems in his relationships to the point where it feels like he may have lost them. The causality can’t be easily fixed, or you risk losing your reader with stakes that are too low.
- Journey to Triumph: The Role of Failure: Initial attempts to address problems might fail. Suppose the soldier with PTSD tries to suppress his traumatic memories, leading to emotional meltdowns and the results of those meltdowns. Instead of a setback, this failure becomes a catalyst for his personal growth, igniting his journey toward healing and acceptance. Almost succumbing to an emotional meltdown and not having the consequences for those meltdowns leads to no character growth.
Achieving Balance: Struggle, Resolution, and Engaging Character Arcs
Crafting engaging character arcs requires balancing character struggles and their resolutions. Prematurely resolving conflicts can lead to weak character arcs, whereas allowing characters to wrestle with their problems can create a narrative full of depth and engagement. By understanding these nuances, authors can weave narratives that captivate their readers, carrying them along on the rollercoaster ride of the characters’ transformative journeys.
