Developing Multiple Character Trajectories for a Single Character (First of Two Instalments)

Developing Multiple Character Trajectories for a Single Character (First of Two Instalments)

In the realm of storytelling, crafting compelling characters is a crucial element that sets great works apart. One author, in particular, believes that every story in an author's body of work must ultimately point to the deeper truths and themes of the author's own life. This approach, when applied skillfully, can create a unified yet unique narrative tapestry.

This author often writes one novel after another that are different from each other, yet they are all connected by a deeper thematic throughline. This discovery of one's own thematic throughline can serve as a compass for creating unique yet unified arcs across a body of work.

To write different character arcs for the same character, the author suggests grounding the character's growth in a larger developmental framework. The Four Stages of Alchemy, originally developed in the Middle Ages, are now recognized as a symbolic representation of character arcs and psychological development. These stages—Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas, and Rubedo—offer a powerful blueprint for tracking a character's inner evolution.

The author also introduces the concept of "The Five Foundational Character Arcs" as a useful blueprint for this purpose. These arcs—The Maiden, The Hero, The Queen, The King, The Crone, and The Mage—each represent different stages of emotional, psychological, and even spiritual growth.

The author's book, Writing Archetypal Character Arcs, offers insights into these foundational archetypes and provides a framework for understanding and crafting character arcs that reflect universal patterns of growth and transformation.

Moreover, the author suggests that characters evolve through recognizable stages. A character might undergo a "Disillusionment Arc" which can lead into a "Fall Arc", and then into the "Corruption Arc". However, these arcs can be crafted as part of a larger cycle, leading naturally into a subsequent "Flat Arc". The six Flat archetypes can also be explored for character development.

The key approaches for writing different character arcs for the same character in a series without it feeling monotonous or forced include giving the character small unique traits and contradictions that make them more three-dimensional, showing their own worldview that may differ from the protagonist's, allowing them to make mistakes and act inconsistently at times, and varying the situations and perspectives from which they are shown to create natural, evolving growth rather than repetition. Additionally, maintaining a distinct character voice and using subtext in their dialogue can add depth and nuance to their development over time.

Furthermore, models such as Spiral Dynamics, created by Don Beck and Chris Cowan, can help explore a character's core motivations and beliefs shift over time, providing a deeper understanding of their evolution. The Four Stages of Knowing can also be used to map onto the four quadrants of a story's development, allowing for deeper exploration of character transformation.

By understanding and applying these principles, writers can create characters that are not only memorable but also reflect the universal patterns of growth and transformation that resonate with readers on a deep, emotional level.

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