Characters · Tip 20 of 82 · 4 min read
Characters Who Grow and Change
Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, your hero can end the story a little different from how they began.
In lots of great stories, the main character changes by the end. They might become braver, kinder or wiser. Writers call this a character arc, because the character travels from one place to another inside themselves.
Start with the before
To show change, readers need to see what your character is like at the start. Show them being shy, selfish or scared early on, so the change at the end really stands out.
When the new girl, Ana, sat next to him, Leo moved his pencil case to the other side of the desk. He didn't need new friends. He had his sketchbook.
Change happens bit by bit
People don't change in one second. Give your character small steps: a moment of doubt, a small kind act, a mistake they learn from. Each step should be caused by something that happens in the story.
- Leo sees Ana drawing dragons too. He pretends not to notice.
- Ana's drawing gets ripped. Leo lends her his best pen, without a word.
- Leo is left out of a game. He finally knows how Ana felt.
Show the after
At the end, echo the beginning so readers can spot the difference. A matching moment works like a before-and-after photo.
Okay 😐
In the end, Leo learned that friends are important.
Wow! 🤩
On Monday, when Ana came into class, Leo slid his pencil case out of the way and turned his sketchbook so she could see the dragon he'd started. "It needs a tail," he said. "You're better at tails."