Arcs & Change
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl
As writers we are students of the human condition. We create characters, usually in the image of human beings, we create worlds, cultures, societies and throw them into conflict. That conflict is always driven by one thing: change.
Introduce change into a story or change something in a character’s life and we expect growth, we expect the story and the character to change. It is so strong in what we write as story arcs and character arcs yet it is very seldom that the parallel is drawn to the real world.
I find it fascinating how people react to and deal with change. I’m fascinated by my reactions to change. I like to see the opportunities, I like to be positive and take action. These are all the traits that powerful characters either exhibit or learn along the way.
We can improve both our writing and ourselves by observing how change affects the world around us, how we react to change and thinking like our characters.
Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer
Kerryn, change can be hard to take on board in the real world, yet in stories, ideas can change constantly. My first idea for a story is generally not the last, very rarely is the first idea that I finish with. Change is important in stories and also in your writing styles. Reach out and embrace your own changes.