hollys-writeblr:A Flat Character Change Arc is not what the name suggests. You might think a Flat Ch

hollys-writeblr:A Flat Character Change Arc is not what the name suggests. You might think a Flat Character as a static or passive character, but you would certainly be incorrect. A Flat Character Arc is when your character doesn’t experience the change that a negative or positive character would. To refer to one of my other posts The Truth and Lie of a Character, this is when the character in question, already knows the truth at the beginning of the story. The Lie, however, is still present in the world around the character. Your protagonist’s uses that Truth, that they have to combat the lie that threatens to hurt their life. Sometimes this will result in your character gaining a new set of skills. The Arc is still a story of change, but there isn’t any internal resistance for the character. Usually, a Flat Arc is used in sequels to original Positive or Negative Arcs. One of my favourite examples of a Flat Character Arc is Steve Rogers aka Captain America from the MCU.    Considerations of Using A Flat CharacterDo not mistake a Flat Character as a dull character; it is sometimes even more compelling than the more obvious character arcs if done well. However, this means it can be used recklessly and can easily result in a poor character. This is why you must consider the whole set of rules and traits that come when using a flat character. When it comes to the truth and lie that is in the character world, the Flat Character Arc places emphasis on the lie that surrounds you, protagonist. Your character must use the truth to transform the lie, and this is how you get a plot. Usually, the character uses the truth to change or destroy the lie altogether and often the lie is in the world their everyday life or the world around them. The lie in the world usually manifests in two ways. Their normal world (refer to my previous post for more about the Normal World) either is a good place that has the truth but is destroyed or are taken away from it, in the first plot point. The second manifestation is the normal world is very lie-ridden, and the protagonist stands in direct opposition. If you get these considerations, you are on the right path in creating a compelling flat character arc. Throughout the ActsThe First ActLike most first acts, your primary objectives will be setting the stage for the conflict that comes in the second and third act. The conflict being the upcoming clash between your character lie and their truth. Your protagonist will be trying their hardest to avoid confrontation and conflict. Maybe they know the lie is around lurking but has not yet hurt them yet. Maybe they spend their time in the first act trying to deal with the lie diplomatically. However, this is all turned upside down in the first plot point when their world is turned upside down. It will force them to react and finally pit them against the lie that is so ever-present in their normal world. This is when the real conflict and the active role of your character begins. The Second ActIn the first half of the second act, your character is actively engaging to oppose the lie. They are, however, are in a reactionary stage of their arc. This doesn’t mean that they are passive but rather not in control of the conflict- the antagonist is. Sometimes, they might not have the goal to destroy the lie, but their goal must include the destruction of the lie to get their plot goal. In the first half of the second act, they are punished for wielding the truth as a weapon. This is when they doubt themselves. In the midpoint, the most essential part of the second act, our protagonist gains information about the lie and its weakness, almost all of their doubt is replaced with determination. Sometimes, secondary characters will see the truth and stop punishing the protagonist. After the midpoint, they use the weapon of truth more effectively, and they see the results bettering their world, and they stop doubting themselves, readying them for the blow of the third plot point. The Third ActTheir seemingly huge victory just before will be upended and will be their most bitter defeat and blow from the antagonist. Your character is now doubting themselves, and their truth and everything seems lost after the horrible defeat. They are asking themselves if they are in the right or are they in the wrong. Everything seems lost. Make sure that this personal and effects them right where it hurts the most. After the defeat, your character will be picking themselves back up again. Supporting character, who used to be drenched in the lie are encouraging the protagonist to continue the fight against the lie. They start to equip themselves for the final battle of truth and lie in the climax. Finally, in the climactic moment of your story, the lie and truth, the antagonist and the protagonist, are pitted directly at each other. The truth ultimately prevails as your character are equipped with the necessary tools for victory. Your evil, lie ridden world, now is destroyed and the truth and your protagonist is building a better world that is rid of the lie. Your character finally has peace. Extra NotesFlat Characters have the potential to be the most compelling but are very overlooked as character arcs. Anyway, I tend to fall in love with flat characters so I very passionate about them. If you can think of any Flat Characters that either you have created or has seen in media let me know in the comments and inbox.  -- source link

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