: Re: Is character arc or character development more important (assuming they are in conflict?) A "character arc" represents the changes in the character in different parts of the story. That is, how

@Cugini967

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How can a reader tell that a character's changed (in their character arc) if you don't show what the character was like before (character development, by your definition)?

Therefore, I believe that the two are interconnected. You cannot show the arc very well if you haven't shown the development.

What it sounds like you are afraid of is that there's a disconnect between the change and what they were and that will be confusing to the reader. What you must do is SHOW or tell if you must, the reason for the change.

Characters are who they are. When they change an aspect of their behavior, it needs to be clear as to why. It isn't a conflict and one is not more important than the other. When it becomes jolting is when they are suddenly acting totally differently than they have previously. It's up to you, as the author to either show or explain the change. The change can be temporary or permanent...

That's how you reconcile the two.

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