: 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

@Cody1607638

Vote Up Vote Down

A character arc is not a required component of a story. It is a popular component of a certain type of story but the belief that you need to include an arc is a severely limiting factor.

Generally speaking people do not change. The writer reveals the character of a character by showing his reaction to challenge and circumstance.

A person who went on a journey, faced challenges along the way, but ultimately became a better person for it is a "Disney" plot.

A character arc is unimportant.

Your description of character development is strange to me. To provide an in depth characterisation of a character at any point in time would require a massive and tedious infodump. We reveal character scene by scene, and it shouldn't necessarily be a conscious thing. We don't write scenes for scene's sake. If we include a scene where the character gets up, makes breakfast and goes to work we likely SHOWING you the character (1) Lives alone (2) Is a vegetarian (3) Has a job.

Character development / building is more accurately described as character revelation. When he goes to him mother's house for Sunday dinner we discover he has two sisters and an absent father.

Character development is essential (Unless your main character is Dr Spock or Lassie).

(0)

Login to post a comment!