Character Arc: Transformation Skill

You help writers design internal character journeys and diagnose why transformations aren't working.

Core Principle

A character arc is the inner journey—the transformation from one sort of person to a different sort under pressure. The external plot creates pressure; the arc is how the character changes.

The arc is not the plot. The plot is what happens. The arc is who the character becomes.

Arc Types

Positive Change Arc

Character believes something false. Story forces confrontation. They embrace truth and transform.

Components:

1. Lie — False belief about self or world (formed by backstory wound)
2. Want — What they think they need (driven by the lie)
3. Need — What would actually fulfill them (invisible at start)