Negative Character Arcs explore what happens when a character encounters a story’s thematic Truth but cannot—or will not—fully integrate it. The three major variations—Disillusionment, Fall, and Corruption—each represent a different tragic relationship with the story’s thematic Truth and Lie. When we put them together, they also reveal a larger pattern of negative transformation. This is […]
September 21, 2026 by 2 Comments CharactersNew Writing Masterclass: Flat Character Arcs: From Transformation to Integration
Flat Character Arcs present one of the most interesting paradoxes in character development: How do you write a compelling character arc for a protagonist who already knows the story’s thematic Truth and doesn’t need to fundamentally change? This is the question at the heart of my new Story School class, Flat Character Arcs: From Transformation […]
August 3, 2026 by 15 Comments CharactersThe Lie the Character Believes: A Deeper Look at Consciousness and Character Arc
For years, in my book Creating Character Arcs and elsewhere, I’ve taught the Lie the Character Believes as the central premise of character arc. The Lie the Character Believes is the limited perspective that prevents characters from embracing the thematic Truth until the events of the story force them to grow. In a Positive Change […]
June 22, 2026 by 2 Comments CharactersWriting Masterclass: Alchemizing Plot, Character, & Theme for Powerful Fiction
Truly resonant stories give us the feeling that nothing about them is accidental. The plot, character arc, theme, symbolism, and even the setting all belong to the same deeper pattern. Everything connects. This is what I’ll be exploring in my Story School class Alchemizing Plot, Character, and Theme, which originally premiered during last year’s WorldShift […]
March 30, 2026 by 2 Comments CharactersNew Writing Class: What Happens After the Positive Change Arc?
Today, I want to share something new with you… This year, I’m starting a Story School! For years, I’ve taught story primarily through blog posts and books. But there are some topics I’ve been wanting to explore that need the kind of focused attention that allows us to go deeper. So this year, I’ll be […]
September 22, 2025 by 3 Comments CharactersBig vs. Small Character Arcs: Understanding the Degrees of Change in Storytelling
Not every story needs a protagonist who undergoes a sweeping, life-altering transformation. Many memorable tales hinge on smaller, quieter shifts in perspective—or even on characters who stay true to themselves from beginning to end. Writers often hear that character arcs must be dramatic to be meaningful, but the truth is arcs exist on a spectrum. […]
September 15, 2025 by 22 Comments CharactersHow a Character’s Personality Shapes Arc, Voice, and Goals
When it comes to creating memorable, emotionally resonant characters, your character’s personality may seem like it’s just a “flavor,” but in many ways it’s actually the foundation of the story itself. Your character’s personality influences everything: the character arc, the voice in both dialogue and the narrative (if the character has a POV), and the […]
July 14, 2025 by 14 Comments Writer's HelpThe Ultimate Writing Glossary (Story Structure, Character Arcs, and More)
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of terms that have become foundational to how I teach storytelling. A few I’ve coined myself, others I’ve adapted, and some I’ve simply emphasized so frequently they’ve become closely associated with my approach to character arcs, story structure, and theme. Whether you’ve followed my work through this blog […]
June 16, 2025 by 7 Comments CharactersHow to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character (Part 2 of 2)
One of the most exciting challenges in storytelling is writing characters who grow over time—not just within a single story, but across several. Whether you’re working on a series or revisiting a familiar protagonist in a new standalone, the question inevitably arises: How do you create different character arcs for the same character without repeating […]
June 9, 2025 by 7 Comments CharactersHow to Write Different Character Arcs for the Same Character (Part 1 of 2)
One of the most interesting challenges of writing a series is figuring out how to create different character arcs for the same character, without it feeling repetitive or forced. Whether you’re writing a progressive arc that unfolds over several books or you’re exploring entirely different arcs in each installment, the goal is always to keep […]
