How to Create Memorable Characters by Using Character Arcs
Creating memorable characters is one of the key elements to writing a compelling story. Without fully fleshed-out characters, readers may struggle to engage emotionally with your story. While your plot might be solid, it is often the characters that draw readers in and keep them hooked. One of the most effective ways to make your characters unforgettable is by giving them meaningful character arcs—evolutions that allow them to grow throughout your story. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to craft character arcs that leave a lasting impact by focusing on two essential components: wants and needs.
What Are Character Arcs?
At the heart of every compelling character arc is transformation. A character arc is the journey your character undergoes throughout the story—how they change from the beginning to the end. This journey is driven by two fundamental factors: what your character wants (their external motivation) and what your character needs (their internal growth). Both play a crucial role in shaping who they are and how they evolve throughout the narrative.
Wants: The Key Driver of the Plot
Your character’s wants are what propel the story forward. They are the external goals that your character actively pursues, thinking that achieving these goals will bring them happiness, fulfillment, or resolution. Wants are often linked to the external plot and serve as the foundation for the challenges and obstacles that arise in your story.
Example:
In The Lion King, Simba’s initial want is to stay away from Pride Rock. After the death of his father, he goes into exile, believing that running from his past will allow him to escape his guilt. Simba’s want—to avoid responsibility and his painful memories—is what keeps the story moving forward. This external desire drives many of his decisions and actions throughout the first half of the film.
But while wants are essential for plot progression, they only scratch the surface of your character’s true transformation.
Needs: The Foundation of Character Arcs
Where wants drive the plot, needs are the heart of the character arc. Needs represent the deeper truths your character must confront by the end of the story. These are the lessons they need to learn or the internal growth they must undergo to achieve true fulfillment. The need is often in direct conflict with what the character initially wants.
Example:
In The Lion King, while Simba wants to run away from his responsibilities, his true need is to face his past, reclaim his role as the rightful king, and save the Pride Lands. This internal growth transforms him from a frightened boy into a mature leader who takes responsibility for his actions.
Without this need, Simba’s journey would lack depth. He would remain a flat character, simply reacting to external events without undergoing any meaningful internal growth.
The Importance of Balancing Wants and Needs
A story where characters only have wants may have a strong plot, but without needs, the characters will feel flat and one-dimensional. Conversely, if characters only have needs without any external goals or wants driving the plot, the story may feel stagnant or overly introspective.
Balancing both aspects allows your character to experience real growth, while also keeping the story dynamic and engaging.
Other Examples of Character Arcs
- Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol
- Want: Scrooge wants to protect his wealth and avoid human connection.
- Need: He needs to learn that true happiness comes from generosity and forming relationships with others. His arc shows a transformation from a miserly man to someone who values compassion and connection.
- Shrek in Shrek
- Want: Shrek wants to be left alone in his swamp, away from society’s judgment.
- Need: He needs to learn that it’s okay to be vulnerable and that genuine acceptance comes from opening up to others.
- Thor in Thor
- Want: Thor wants to be the King of Asgard.
- Need: To become a good ruler, Thor needs to learn humility and understand that true leadership requires wisdom and selflessness, not just strength and power.
How to Identify Your Character’s Wants
The wants of your character are typically easier to identify because they are often tied directly to the external plot. Ask yourself the following questions when developing your character’s wants:
- What is your character’s immediate goal or motivation?
- What does your character think will bring them happiness, peace, or resolution?
- What is your character willing to sacrifice to achieve this goal?
Your character’s want should be clearly established early on, as it will set the stage for the conflict and tension that will unfold throughout your story.
How to Discover Your Character’s Needs
Your character’s needs are usually more subtle, lying beneath the surface of the story. These are often tied to the theme of the story and reflect deeper emotional or psychological growth. Consider these questions when discovering your character’s needs:
- What emotional or psychological truth does your character need to learn?
- What is holding your character back from experiencing true inner peace?
- How can your story’s theme (e.g., coming-of-age, love, redemption) inform your character’s need for growth?
Identifying your character’s need allows you to craft a more emotionally resonant story, as it is often through this internal transformation that readers connect most deeply with your characters.
Conclusion
Creating memorable characters comes down to understanding the delicate balance between wants and needs. Wants drive the external plot, while needs foster internal growth and create a satisfying character arc. By paying attention to both, you can craft characters that evolve naturally throughout your story, keeping readers invested from start to finish.
Remember, character arcs aren’t just about moving your character from point A to point B—they’re about crafting a journey that resonates with readers, leaving them thinking about your characters long after they’ve turned the last page.
By mastering the art of character arcs, you can create deeply engaging stories that captivate readers and leave a lasting impression. Take the time to delve into your character’s desires and hidden truths, and watch as your story transforms into something truly unforgettable.
About the Author: Xander
