What are the best tools for generating and managing character arcs and plot points? (2024)

FAQs

What are the best tools for generating and managing character arcs and plot points? ›

Some examples of screenwriting software are Final Draft, Celtx, and WriterDuet. These tools can help you manage your character arcs and plot points, as well as collaborate with other writers, producers, and directors.

Final Draft's Beat Board is a great first step to tracking a character arc. You can create and move around different beats within the Beat Board—similar to sticky notes or index cards—and you can likewise select colors for beats, helping you to connect subplots or, in this case, a specific character arc.

A common way to map a character arc is to use the three-act structure, which divides the play into three parts: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. In each act, you can mark the key moments that affect the character's arc, such as the inciting incident, the turning points, the climax, and the resolution.

Crafting Character Arcs

A character's arc or development involves their proactive pursuit of their story goal which is established when their life is changed by the inciting incident at the start. This helps create a lead readers will identify with and cheer for, but also makes a compelling plot.

No “right” way exists to keep track of characters. Most writers keep a master list and then a packet of detailed information about each character. You can go a low-tech route or high-tech route. Some use a notebook with tabs and index cards.

Dynamic character: A character who goes through some sort of change. Static character: A character who does not change throughout the course of the story. Round character: A character who is a fully-developed figure. Flat character: A character who does not develop or change throughout the story.

The Positive Change Arc provides hope and inspiration, the Negative Change Arc reveals the consequences of negative behaviour, the Flat Arc showcases the power of steadfast beliefs, and the Anti-Arc defies traditional storytelling norms, often creating complex, unconventional characters.

A crucial distinction exists between the story arc and the character arc. The story arc guides the sequence of events and plot progression, while the character arc captures the growth and transformation of a character throughout the story.

Character arc simply refers to the change that happens to a character over the course of a story, whether it's an internal change or an external change. A grumpy curmudgeon becomes a ray of sunshine. A naïve teen grows up. Someone with a strong moral compass is tested until they ultimately choose villainy.

How to structure an arc? ›

A character arc is the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story. If a story has a character arc, the character begins as one sort of person and gradually transforms into a different sort of person in response to changing developments in the story.

Arc length = (θ/360) of 2πr = (θ/360) × 2πr = rθ × π/180. This formula represents the arc length when the angle is measured in degrees. The length of an arc can be determined using different formulas, depending on the unit used to measure the central angle.

The Character Arc is a model for capturing that internal journey so it can better inform the plot and execution of your broader story. As you're writing, you can use multiple templates to help you build well-rounded characters and capture all the intricacies of their personalities.

The three phases of a character arc – Beginning, Middle, and End – are stepping stones in your character's journey, guiding their transformation and growth. By understanding these phases, you can create rich, compelling narratives that will captivate your readers.

Arcs can be collective, and the same character can be part of multiple arcs. Try to bring the resolution of two or more arcs together in a single scene.

A character arc is the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story. If a story has a character arc, the character begins as one sort of person and gradually transforms into a different sort of person in response to changing developments in the story.