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 28, 2026 by 8 Comments CharactersCharacter Misdirection: How to Write False Allies and False Enemies
In childhood, stories are always about exactly what they appear: “See Spot. See Spot run.” But as we grow older and our life experiences deepen, so do our story experiences. What emerges is often a complex weave of subtext and misdirection. Life isn’t always as we perceive it on its surface—and even when it 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 […]
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 […]
June 8, 2026 by 2 Comments CharactersHow to Choose the Right Character Arc for Your Story
Learning how to choose the right character arc is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your story. Whether you’re writing a Positive Change Arc, a Flat Arc, or a Negative Arc, the arc you choose will shape everything from plot structure to theme to emotional resonance. Choosing the right character arc is […]
April 20, 2026 by 10 Comments Characters6 Ways to Discover Your Character’s Greatest Fear
From KMW: One of the juiciest tension points in a character’s arc is the question: What is your character’s greatest fear? This question isn’t (explicitly) about what characters say they want or what stands in their way externally. Rather, the answer we’re hunting for is the deeper fear lurking underneath. Very often, that fear is […]
April 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment CharactersNew Writing Class: The Hidden Psychology of Story Conflict
Conflict is often taught as the engine of plot, but what if it is really the engine of psychological transformation? When we look at story through a symbolic lens, antagonists can be understood not just as external obstacles, but as forces that reveal the deeper inner workings of the protagonist. This is what I’m exploring […]
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 […]
August 18, 2025 by 12 Comments CharactersWriting Better Character Conflicts With the 5 Conflict Management Styles
In fiction, every clash between characters comes down to a conflict management style. This is true whether you’re writing a heated argument or a quiet standoff. In real life, psychologists group these into five main approaches: competing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding. Understanding how each works can help you write richer, more realistic character conflicts. […]
