One of my strengths as a writer is my characters, but I’ve always written contemporary YA and now I’m trying my hand at YA fantasy. It feels like a whole new ball game, and I’m not sure exactly how to approach my characters/character ARCs. Any character development tips for fantasy in particular/how it is different from contemporary?
Monica Hay
2 months ago
How do you develop character arcs with two POVs? Do you recommend having their arcs go at the same pace, or having their arcs change at different parts of the book? (Thinking of Save the Cat)
Monica Hay
2 months ago
How do you show a true change in a character who is considered a “sweetheart”? My MC has been described by my CPs as very sweet and easy to relate to, but I want to make sure she has a true arc that shows a journey.
Monica Hay
2 months ago
Any recommendations on craft books that do well discussing character arcs?
ElizabethAnne
2 months ago
How should I write character arcs for side characters?
Tara Kennedy
2 months ago
If you’re writing a character that’s pretty flawed to start, how do you balance showing growth without making the character just ridiculously perfect by the end?
gracemontague
2 months ago
I’m writing morally grey characters in my YA fantasy—I’ve always done cute little YA contemporaries before so I haven’t ever created a morally grey character. Any tips? I adore how it’s done in The Cruel Prince.
Do you have any tips for making an arc surprising?
gracemontague
2 months ago
When brainstorming characters, how can I make sure I’m creating unique characters instead of ones we’ve seen before?
Michael Holiday
2 months ago
Lisa Cron’s STORY GENIUS is an excelled craft book on character arc and story. It’s one that was easy to read and understand for me, and that’s what I look for in books on writing.
Dave Wright
2 months ago
Just wanted to say thanks for a great Q&A. It helped me nail down a character arc that wasn’t quite working 🙂
One of my strengths as a writer is my characters, but I’ve always written contemporary YA and now I’m trying my hand at YA fantasy. It feels like a whole new ball game, and I’m not sure exactly how to approach my characters/character ARCs. Any character development tips for fantasy in particular/how it is different from contemporary?
How do you develop character arcs with two POVs? Do you recommend having their arcs go at the same pace, or having their arcs change at different parts of the book? (Thinking of Save the Cat)
How do you show a true change in a character who is considered a “sweetheart”? My MC has been described by my CPs as very sweet and easy to relate to, but I want to make sure she has a true arc that shows a journey.
Any recommendations on craft books that do well discussing character arcs?
How should I write character arcs for side characters?
If you’re writing a character that’s pretty flawed to start, how do you balance showing growth without making the character just ridiculously perfect by the end?
I’m writing morally grey characters in my YA fantasy—I’ve always done cute little YA contemporaries before so I haven’t ever created a morally grey character. Any tips? I adore how it’s done in The Cruel Prince.
As an agent, do you have any insights as to what makes characters appealing in a pitch?
What are some different kinds of arcs a character can take?
I’ve heard I need to do a better job of showing the character arc in my synopsis. How important is this and how do I do it well?
In a large cast, is it as important for all the characters to have an arc?
In a character v. society conflict, in which the society changes as a result of the character’s actions, should I give the society an arc?
Any tips on how to make an unlikeable protagonist sympathetic
before that character changes?
What are your tips for writing a character arc in a series as opposed to a standalone?
I am a beginner at the beginniest state of beginning. What is the best way to start learning how to make character development happen on the page?
Do you have any tips for making an arc surprising?
When brainstorming characters, how can I make sure I’m creating unique characters instead of ones we’ve seen before?
Lisa Cron’s STORY GENIUS is an excelled craft book on character arc and story. It’s one that was easy to read and understand for me, and that’s what I look for in books on writing.
Just wanted to say thanks for a great Q&A. It helped me nail down a character arc that wasn’t quite working 🙂