Some of the thrilling challenges in storytelling is writing characters who develop over time—not simply inside a single story, however throughout a number of. Whether or not you’re engaged on a sequence or revisiting a well-known protagonist in a brand new standalone, the query inevitably arises: How do you create totally different character arcs for a similar character with out repeating your self? How do you honor what’s come earlier than whereas nonetheless providing readers one thing new? In some ways, that is the place character growth turns into essentially the most rewarding—whenever you’re not simply constructing a compelling arc, however an evolving journey.

Final month, we did a little bit of exploring about how one can range your character arcs by utilizing the Enneagram system to determine totally different inside conflicts for characters with totally different character sorts. We additionally talked about how pairing Enneagram insights with the archetypal Life Cycle can generate arcs that aren’t solely distinct but in addition deeply resonant. Nonetheless, as I discussed final week within the first installment on this two-part sequence, the extra I sat with that dialogue, the extra I spotted there was one other layer we hadn’t absolutely uncovered: what occurs whenever you’re writing totally different character arcs for the identical character?

The reader query that initially impressed these discussions (about how one can use the Enneagram’s 9 sorts to keep away from repetitive Lies the Character Believes) sparked a bigger reflection, not simply on character principle, however on long-term character growth. When you’re writing a sequence or revisiting a personality throughout a number of tales, you’ve probably requested your self: How do I maintain this arc feeling recent? What else can this character study, face, or develop into? The problem isn’t simply selection for its personal sake. Moderately, it’s about honoring the integrity of your characters whereas persevering with to push their evolution in significant methods.

Final week, I supplied six progressive techniques you need to use that will help you chart long-term serial character arcs. This week, I need to dig into some normal ideas for approaching a personality’s journey as an unfolding course of that stretches past a single arc.

In This Article:

How you can Write Completely different Character Arcs for the Identical Character: Write Completely different Themes

Let’s begin by exploring the 2 totally different approaches you would possibly end up in when writing a number of books. The primary is the likelihood that you’re writing completely totally different character arcs for every new story. This could be since you’re writing a wholly new solid of characters and don’t need to repeat your self; or it might be since you’re writing an episodic sequence during which you need to discover new plots and arcs in every installment.

In both case, the best rule of thumb when wanting to jot down totally different character arcs for a similar character is to deal with exploring totally different exterior points. Principally: write a distinct plot. A comparatively good instance of that is the MCU, which featured dozens of tales set in the identical story world. The sequence usually succeeded in creating diversified character arcs by providing diversified or surprising plots.

>>Click on right here to learn The Do’s and Don’ts of Storytelling In keeping with Marvel

For Instance:

Tony Stark’s themes of escapist irresponsibility created very totally different themes from Peter Parker’s errors of teenage naivety.

Listed here are just a few extra instruments you need to use that will help you accomplish this variation.

1. Robert McKee’s Thematic Sq.

Plot is tied to character arc which is tied to theme. The Thematic Sq. is a storytelling instrument created by Robert McKee in his guide Story that helps writers discover theme from a number of angles by figuring out not solely the central worth (e.g., love) and its reverse (e.g., hate), but in addition a opposite worth (e.g., indifference) and its negation (e.g., self-hatred). In a single story, this can assist you create layered ethical complexity and richer character battle. Nonetheless, by exploring a distinct quadrant of the sq. in numerous tales, you may go to varied thematic neighborhoods throughout the identical world from story to story.

2. Discover Completely different Archetypal Roles (Past the Life Cycle)

Along with the continuity of the archetypal Life Cycle (which I discussed final week and which you’ll be able to learn extra about in my guide Writing Archetypal Character Arcs), you can too deal with different ancillary archetypes. For instance, exploring how your protagonist manifests the Trickster points of persoanlity in a single story, the Insurgent in one other, and the Caregiver in nonetheless one other can create alternatives for wildly totally different character arcs. Right here’s a fast checklist of prospects:

• The Trickster – Brings chaos, humor, and surprising change, usually disrupting the established order.
• The Ally – Helps others by means of trials as a loyal companion.
• The Shapeshifter – Adjustments type or allegiance, usually creating doubt and intrigue.
• The Harmless – Seeks happiness and security, usually symbolizing purity or naiveté.
• The Orphan – Craves belonging and connection after experiencing loss or abandonment.
• The Insurgent – Challenges norms and fights towards injustice or oppression.
• The Sage – Pursues reality and data, usually as a indifferent observer.
• The Creator – Builds, innovates, or brings visions into actuality.
• The Caregiver – Protects and nurtures others, usually sacrificing private wants.

3. Discover Completely different Backstory Ghosts

Lastly, as you search to generate new and totally different character arcs all through your sequence, do not forget that the catalyst for any character arc is the character’s backstory Ghost (typically referred to as the wound). To discover totally different character arcs for a similar character, take a look at totally different catalyzing occasions in your character’s previous. This can be a frequent (though usually overdone) method for TV sequence. Once they end one story arc and must pursue a recent angle, they’ll usually reveal new and surprising occasions within the characters’ pasts that hyperlink them to new conflicts.

For Instance:

After wrapping up its preliminary storyline and related character arcs in Season 5, Supernatural prolonged its run by introducing new backstory components, notably the primary characters’ response to secrets and techniques of their household’s previous, together with the truth that their mom had been a Hunter earlier than assembly their father.

How you can Deeply Develop a Single Theme: Hearken to Your Characters

What when you’re writing a sequence with an overarching plot that goes deep with a thematically cohesive character arc to your protagonist? In that case, how are you going to maintain every story’s exploration of this overarching theme recent and attention-grabbing, whereas additionally advancing the larger arc?

The very first thing to recollect is that, in any story or sequence of tales, the thematic Fact a personality learns (and due to this fact the successive Lies the Character Believes that have to be overcome) exists alongside an ever-evolving spectrum. Due to this fact, despite the fact that the character could study some model of an “final” Fact by the story’s finish, that Fact will likely be constructed of many smaller realizations and epiphanies alongside the way in which.

To progress that thematic throughline in a method that feels each practical and likewise deep and nuanced, an important trick is just to take heed to your characters. Actually, this implies take heed to your self. Hearken to your personal deep, innate figuring out of how private change happens and what questions, roadblocks, sacrifices, and triumphs are more likely to really feel resonant alongside the way in which.

Listed here are just a few ideas and methods for deepening your theme from guide to guide in a sequence.

1. Discover Completely different Interior Sides

In any dramatic private change (and due to this fact in any dramatic character arc) many various aspects of the individual will likely be affected. Relying on the size of your sequence, you’ve gotten the chance to go deep with many various methods your characters are affected by the modifications they’re present process. For instance, in a single story you would possibly discover how the change impacts the protagonist’s relationships, whereas in one other you would possibly discover the way it impacts the protagonist’s expertise of hope versus despair, whereas nonetheless one other would possibly delve into problems with ongoing private integrity within the face of the modifications the character is confronting.

2. Change Up the Supporting Solid

One of many best methods to open new alternatives for exploring totally different aspects of your characters is to alter up the supporting solid. The thematic components that come up out of your protagonist’s interplay with a father or mother will likely be very totally different from the thematic components that come up out of your protagonist’s interplay with a love curiosity or frenemy. The one warning right here is to make it possible for in altering up the solid dynamics, you aren’t shortchanging the screentime of any key relationships that will, in truth, be the first cause readers are there within the first place.

3. Discover Penalties From Earlier Books

The juiciest a part of any sequence is its unparalleled potential to go deep with its personal penalties. When you’re unsure how your character’s arc could be totally different in a subsequent guide, begin by asking your self:

• What’s modified?
• What did the characters do or have executed to them within the earlier guide that has penalties?
• How did the conclusion of the character arc within the earlier guide change how the character views the world or him/herself?

Begin pulling threads and exploring what new thematic avenues could now be open to you.

For Instance:

The BBC present Poldark was notably good at this from season to season. Its protagonist, Ross Poldark, hardly ever decided that didn’t have unexpected however nonetheless practical penalties. One instance is his secret buy of his cousin’s widow’s shares in his then-worthless mine, so as to present her with wanted cash. When that mine later grew to become worthwhile, he was accused by his nemesis of underhanded dealings in “stealing” from her.

4. Emphasize Completely different Feelings

Lastly, one of many best methods to faucet into new and totally different character arcs for a similar character is to discover totally different feelings. If anger predominated in a single guide, then maybe pleasure or love stands out as the focus of one other. If confidence and self-realization confirmed up in a single guide, then despair or disillusionment could comply with. Notably, take into consideration how the “constructive” or “adverse” cost of 1 emotional theme can arc into its reverse. For instance, in a protracted sequence, a defeat could comply with a victory could comply with a defeat.

Clearly, nobody guide ought to focus completely on a single emotion. However you may go deep with one emotion as a method of shining its specific shade of shade onto the bigger stage of your story’s and sequence’ themes.

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Exploring totally different character arcs for a similar character invitations writers into a few of the richest prospects storytelling has to supply. It asks you to suppose deeply in regards to the long-term penalties of change, how totally different components of a personality’s psyche can take heart stage at totally different instances, and the way transformation itself evolves. Whether or not you’re crafting a sequence, revisiting an outdated character, or just enjoying with the thought of continuity throughout your tales, this sort of narrative layering can open up new inventive depths for each you and your readers.

In Abstract

Writing totally different arcs for a similar character requires extra than simply inventing new exterior conflicts. It calls for an understanding of how transformation can unfold in complicated, practical, and significant methods throughout time. By specializing in how plot, character, and theme create and affect each other, you may acquire deeper insights into how one can naturally and resonantly evolve your character by means of a number of totally different character arcs.

Key Takeaways

• Completely different arcs for a similar character are finest constructed round new thematic focuses and internal conflicts, in addition to new plots.
• Instruments just like the Thematic Sq. and archetypal roles (equivalent to Trickster and Caregiver) can provide useful selection and depth in mapping plausible internal change.
• Lengthy-term character progress feels most genuine when arcs construct on one another by means of a deep understanding of private transformation and thematic intent.
• Revisiting a personality can provide alternatives to discover penalties from previous books, new emotional outlooks, and totally different relationship dynamics.

Need Extra?

When you’re fascinated by the deeper construction behind character arcs—and particularly how they hook up with theme—take a look at my guide Writing Your Story’s Theme. In it, I discover how character change is of course intertwined with plot and theme. These “massive three” naturally work collectively to create cohesive and resonant tales. Whether or not you’re writing standalone tales or weaving a multi-arc journey throughout a sequence, your characters’ emotional evolution is most impactful when it’s inextricably tied to the thematic coronary heart of your story. Writing Your Story’s Theme provides a step-by-step method to figuring out, creating, and integrating theme at each stage of your story’s construction and your characters’ progress. It’s the proper companion for writers who need their tales to resonate on each stage. It’s accessible in paperback, e-book, and audiobook.

Wordplayers, inform me your opinions! Have you ever ever written totally different character arcs for a similar character throughout a number of tales? What challenges or discoveries did you encounter in conserving these arcs recent and significant? Inform me within the feedback!

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