Character Arcs, Flaws, & Lies Don't Need to Be Confusing (Writing Advice)

Рет қаралды 20,134

Күн бұрын

Learn how to write Character Flaws, Lies, and Arcs--and avoid much of the confusion surrounding them. Examples from Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Terminator, The Godfather, and more!
Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland: amzn.to/3xTdG9Z
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Пікірлер: 179

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Some of you will be thrilled to hear that for the past few months, I’ve been writing a book on the subject of storytelling. I’m hoping to release it later this year, and one chapter deals with Story Structure. Basically my goal for that chapter is to explain how Plot Structure and Character Arcs work together to create meaning, and I’m trying to explain it in the simplest way possible. With that in mind, don’t hesitate to give me feedback on what you’re still confused by or other concerns you might have about Character Arcs.

@fernando749845 22 күн бұрын

That is WONDERFUL!!! Makes perfect sense, CAN'T WAIT!! Would be great if you also release and voice an audiobook :-)

@TheDankGiraffe 22 күн бұрын

I have a question I was hoping you could give me some advice on? The main character in my story is a very dishonest man. He lied to his girlfriend (the second main protagonist) about a lot of things, ranging from not telling her about the criminal work he was doing, to withholding information on the true nature of the world they had been isekaied to, which would recontextualize everything he had done for her. When all of his lies are finally exposed, she leaves him. After this point, there's a time skip of a few years. The man seemingly allies with the main antagonist, after he offers to give him something that could brainwash his now ex-girlfriend into loving him again. Turns out, it was all a ruse. He double crosses the main antagonist, and manages to defeat him with the help of his ex. The man fakes his death, because he wants both of them to move on, but doesn't think either of them will be able to if they both make it out together. After he does this, he begins a romance with another love interest and the story ends. What I wanted to ask you, was how I could fit some kind of character arc revolving around his dishonesty into the story? There are moments where he uses his lying nature for good, like when he tricked the main antagonist, but he also lies to his ex-girlfriend all the way through to the end of the story. I don't want this character to enter into a new relationship with the reader expecting him to continue to lie to his new girlfriend. I've considered the idea of moving some events around before, like maybe the man gets in a relationship with the new love interest during the time skip, which could help change him, and also avoid the whole faking his death thing, but I wanted to know what you think? What would you recommend I do to establish a coherent arc for this character? I left out a few pieces of information, either because I didn't think they were that relevant, or I thought they revealed too much, so some of the details may be a little vague, but I tried to explain them as best as I could. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them in one way or another.

@champloo933 22 күн бұрын

hey brandon! great vid as usual. you never miss. remember to check your emails!

@Storietellerartistry 21 күн бұрын

Thank you for everything you do! We appreciate your insight and a warm congratulations on your new creation. 🎉

@peregrine.somerville 20 күн бұрын

This is excellent, and well deserving of a rewatch. My only note is to maybe say more about why overcoming lies is necessary whereas overcoming flaws is optional. Couldn’t quite follow that one point.

@SteveJubs 22 күн бұрын

Harry Potter’s arc: positive change Michael Corleone’s arc: negative change Indiana Jones’s ark: of the covenant

@browneyeofsauron1244 22 күн бұрын

-_-

@Reggie2000 21 күн бұрын

Joan: of arc

@lifes2short4aname 21 күн бұрын

Hahaha

@adoniscreed4031 3 күн бұрын

Arc: Noah's

@Finn-RFD3 22 күн бұрын

This pretty much wraps up a year of my personal research in less than 15 minutes -- absolutely brilliant!

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Hahaha thrilled to hear the video helped!

@nathancrossen2224 22 күн бұрын

And that's why we watch his videos!! 👍🤘

@feelswriter 21 күн бұрын

Right?

@BbGun-lw5vi 21 күн бұрын

So true.

@factoryofdivisiveopinions 15 күн бұрын

@WriterBrandonMcNulty Hey, can you also make a video on subtext? Not just on dialogue but in other scenes as well. Like how Jimmy Mcguiels cup won't fit in his new car indicating how he is out of place in his job, in Better Call Saul show.

@TheFlickTalkk 22 күн бұрын

Probably the best writing teacher out here!

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

I wouldn't go that far, but thank you so much for the kind words

@nathancrossen2224 22 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty No, Brandon, you may actually be. Definitely the best on KZfaq. You give us a ton of info, organized, and in a manner that respects all of our time.

@ilyas_elouchihi 22 күн бұрын

That's a fact!

@samruhland848 21 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty best fiction writing teacher at least that’s for sure!

@JamestheXennial 22 күн бұрын

I'll go to the best character arc I've ever watched: Prince Zuko. The flaw: his myopic, singular focus of capturing the Avatar. The lie: that his honor can be given back to him. Succumbing to the lie: at the moment of truth, instead of listening to his wise uncle and his own heart, he gives in to his old desire to have his honor "restored" and helps Azula "kill" the Avatar Overcoming the lie and flaw: he realizes through his own actions that he chose the wrong path, and through great trials and selfless acts of helping Aang, Sokka, and Katara, he renounces his old ways, earns the trust of the good guys, and helps them defeat his father once and for all.

@ShinGallon 22 күн бұрын

In a show filled to bursting with great characters who all had incredible arcs, Zuko still manages to stand out. That show is almost perfect, and I wish they'd stop trying to adapt it to live action when the most it could ever do is be an imitation (people need to stop pretending that only live action stuff is "real" art and that animation isn't just as valid a medium).

@ShadowUnown 19 күн бұрын

He renounces everything he wanted and received to help Aang.

@ChronicleFusion 17 күн бұрын

He's my favorite, too!

@luechmillionz 6 күн бұрын

Zukos flaw is not that he’s focused on the avatar ..it’s that he wants to be accepted by his father and ppl no matter if it’s a immoral path ..that’s why the pivotal point is his arc was when he rejected his fathers acceptance and joined the avatar ..

@luechmillionz 6 күн бұрын

His lie is he believes capturing the avatar (being his fathers loyal solider) will bring him his father’s love and acceptance ..this is also evident cuz his sister Azula has the same lie and flaw but she succumbed to it cuz she lacked the alternate love zuko received from friendship ..zuko finds the truth azula succumbs to the lie

@DarinMcGrew 22 күн бұрын

In Zootopia, both protagonists follow significant arcs. Judy keeps her "make the world a better place" idealism, but learns that she has biases of her own, and starts approaching her goal of making the world a better place more realistically. Nick learns that he can be more than just a stereotypically shifty and untrustworthy fox, leaves his con jobs behind, and becomes the city's first fox police officer.

@thomasmann4536 22 күн бұрын

I really love when a characters strength gets turned into a "flaw" (can we even say that?). one example would be Boromir, who I would argue it's not that his flaw is weakness or pride. Those don't trigger his downfall. It's actually his noble worry about his people and his desire to defend them that makes it so easy for the ring to corrupt him.

@ShawnRavenfire 22 күн бұрын

Agree. The very same thing that can be a strength in one set of circumstances can become a flaw in another. A great example of this is General Ironwood from "RWBY." His "lie" is that the ends always justify the means, and that anyone and anything must be sacrifices for the greater good. He quickly goes from hero to villain depending on the situation, but always coming from this same belief.

@melissaharris3389 5 күн бұрын

My favorite strength turned fatal flaw is also from Sean Bean: Ned Stark. Ned's honor is played up as a virtue, but it's what gets him killed.

@90skid88 22 күн бұрын

You should make a video on how to write a comic relief character, good versus bad. Examples: Jar-Jar Binks from Star Wars (bad) vs. Rattrap from Beast Wars (good) Or Charlie Frost from 2012 (bad) vs. Merry and Pippin from LotR (good) Not sure where the brownies from Willow would stand, though

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

I'll add this to my list. Thanks!

@Valkanna.Nublet 22 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty Maybe add a bit about quality versus quantity? I feel some films are ruined by too many characters trying to be the comic relief.

@Valkanna.Nublet 22 күн бұрын

I feel like the brownies are close to, but not as good as, Merry and Pippin. They're fun comic relief but they also add to the plot. That's the film though, I haven't watched the TV show and don't even know if the brownies are in it.

@Reggie2000 21 күн бұрын

One thing that comes to mind is this. Could they have their own film spin off? Yes then good. No, then bad.

@gustavogarcia7190 20 күн бұрын

@@Valkanna.Nublet that's because if everyone is comical, noone is the comic relief. Those characters are supossed to balance too much seriousness. Today we're likely to be looking for "serious relief" characters.

@ET_Bermuda 21 күн бұрын

It should be noted that NOT every story needs a character arc. This is especially true with certain comedies and horror films. I see people online always complaining that the main protagonist of a film lacked a character arc when one was never necessary.

@ShadowUnown 18 күн бұрын

Não prefere o ET Varginha?

@NewIdeicASMR 22 күн бұрын

One writing topic that does not tie into writing exactly is finding a good title. A video on it would be cool because there is no greater pain than creating an incredible story only to go "wait, what do I call this?"

@BbGun-lw5vi 21 күн бұрын

I’d love a video on coming up with a good title.

@Thathumanoverthere1701 21 күн бұрын

Your ability to summarize and communicate concepts is unparalleled. I wish many people adopted this teaching structure

@MichaelJPartyka 22 күн бұрын

I think you oversimplified Luke's character arc in ROTJ. His way of being a Jedi, including force-chokes and making death threats, puts him a lot closer to the Sith than he'd like to believe. It's the fact that he straddles the line between light and dark that makes him susceptible to being turned to the Dark Side, which almost happens at the film's climax. It isn't until he once and for all time rejects following his father's path that he completes his rising character arc (which at that point had turned downward). Likewise, it was Luke's ability to fall so far and then reverse course that convinced Vader it was possible for him to finally reverse course, too. So I would say Luke's arc was hardly "flat". BTW, if you are interested in reading a comic book series with a fantastic character arc, check out Rick Remender's 4-volume series SEVEN TO ETERNITY.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Luke definitely flirts with the Dark Side a lot in RotJ. I’m curious… What would you say his initial Lie is if he has a Positive Change Arc?

@joeyrizzolo 22 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty I would posit that Luke’s initial lie is that using his power to achieve success comes before everything else. The whole opening sequence at Jabba’s Palace not only affirms this for Luke, it effectively convinces the audience of this lie as well. By the time Luke faces off against the Emperor and Vader, he is confronted with the idea that his success is not necessarily in the best interests of the people he cares about. The shot of Luke looking at his wounded cybernetic hand is a moment of realization during which he sees that his actions have led him down the path of following in his father’s footsteps. Growth occurs when he demonstrates his willingness to refuse his power altogether.

@feelswriter 21 күн бұрын

Or maybe it's something to do with why to be a Jedi. Not sure how that changes, but it seems it does.

@kennethmiller2333 21 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty It may not be a lie that he needs to overcome, but rather his own youth and inexperience. His flaw would be his emotional responses to situations that call for caution and discipline.

@melissaharris3389 5 күн бұрын

A better example of a flat character arc is Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU. He starts believing in a truth, faces forces and events that make him doubt that truth; which he eventually proves incorrect, and changes those around him to also see/ believe his truth. FYI: Steve's 'truth' is summed up in "I don't like bullies" = power shouldn't be abused by those who wield it.

@d.j.mulcahy1657 22 күн бұрын

For a while, I have struggled at writing my story. Thanks to your channel and some friends, my characters and their flaws have become a lot more clear to me. Keep up the good work

@jaycee945 20 күн бұрын

Dude. It feels like every time I've come across a problem or doubt in my writing you post a video that helps me immensely with that problem.

@ISFSProductions 20 күн бұрын

I like the character arc for Robert Pattinson's The Batman. He starts out believing the lie that he must represent vengeance in order to help Gotham. By the end, he realizes that what Gotham really needs is hope. Here's hoping they don't screw that trajectory up in the sequel.

@Stephen_The_Waxing_Lyricist 22 күн бұрын

Can you please do a video or two on revenge plots, including, good and bad ways to start the protagonist on the path for revenge? So many stories start with close family or friends getting murdered, and the protagonist just seeking everyone out to kill them. Surely there are better ways for the plot to unfold? Star Wars did it well, by not having Luke seek revenge, and he still achieved justice for his murdered adopted family.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Thanks for the idea! I’ll add it to my list

@SirJoelsuf1 21 күн бұрын

tbh revenge plots in any sense are incredibly passe. Much better to make PREVENTING a character from being vengeful a tension, instead of having someone who is out for revenge the tension.

@BbGun-lw5vi 21 күн бұрын

I’m very curious on Brandon’s take on revenge plots.

@johntabler349 22 күн бұрын

Among my favorites involving a character from a long running series is the story arc of Jim Kirk in Wrath of Khan and then in Undiscovered Country in both movies he's still the same consistent character has the same personality, sense of duty, moral compass etc, but in one he's coming to the middle of his life and wondering what the rest is going to be, in the second he's older more rigid but basically content with his life and career looking forward to the final phase of his life when he ends up having to confront his demons ( and save the galaxy) one last time

@thatsruffdog 22 күн бұрын

To me, this is the most informative and significant video on the channel. I don’t consider myself a writer but I’m always intrigued by the craft of storytelling and knowing the process and structure of a good story.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Wow, thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

What's your favorite character's flaw and lie? Let us know!

@Bubbles-139 22 күн бұрын

My favourite character flaw probably comes from Succession. (Spoilers ahead) In succession, Kendall's flaw is that he believes he's better than his father Logan and his extreme amounts of overconfidence that come crashing down on him again and again. It ends in tragedy where by the end of the series, he becomes more and more like Logan until he eventually becomes him and the world around him eventually comes crashing down when he loses everything which now is worse because there's now no going back and he's left a rich man with no purpose.

@Valkanna.Nublet 22 күн бұрын

The one that pops to mind is Captain Mal from Firefly. His flaw is that he lets the defeat of the browncoats control him, leading to the lie that he's better off living apart from society and doing his own thing. Over time his lie is challenged as he creates a family with his crew, and an extended community, which leads him to risk everything fighting back one more time.

@JustABitAlien 21 күн бұрын

Your lessons have been invaluable for getting me unstuck and moving in a better direction. Everything I learn both illuminates how much I still need to figure out, and empowers me to feel capable enough to do so. It’s like being gifted a full workshop of tools; now I need to practice using them. Sincerely: Thank you. You’ve renewed my optimism and salvaged my confidence. Your books will be at eye-level on my shelves.

@ElliYeetYT 22 күн бұрын

The worst thing a movie can do is either prevent a character from growing or in much worse cases completely throw their development in the garbage in a sequel. Like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi for example.

@SirJoelsuf1 21 күн бұрын

2:00 Wouldn't say a character flaw prevents a character from being happy so much as it prevents them from being wholly effective to themselves and others. That's how I always saw it.

@cmcanimations9970 22 күн бұрын

Thanks for interacting with your audience Keep it up 👍🏻

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Of course! Glad you enjoyed the video

@bradfordwilson4742 20 күн бұрын

My character's "Flaw" is anger. Causing their supernatural abilities to be uncontrollable. Their "Lie" is believing the doubters saying he's the next Dark Lord when people witness his reckless behaviors.

@JackKirbyFan 22 күн бұрын

Magnificent. You are an excellent teacher. You really should do this full time in a classroom. Seriously.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Thank you! A teaching job would probably kill me though haha

@Stephen_The_Waxing_Lyricist 22 күн бұрын

WallE has two characters with flat arcs, and everyone else has positive ones. WallE throughout the film shows how he has learned so much and experiences wonder at everything, as he has long since broken his programming. The ship's computer sticks rigidly to it's programming throughout, and will stop at nothing to keep the status quo. Every other character, be they robot or human, starts in Camp Status Quo, but over the course of the movie, they all start breaking their metaphorical chains and move firmly to Camp WallE. It's only then that everyone stops purely existing, and instead start living.

@salmanmahmood2606 15 күн бұрын

Another example (I think) is Marty McFly’s flaw across the series that prevents him from turning down a challenge if his courage is questioned. However, in the end of the series he does overcome the flaw which ends up saving his life.

@theknowshowsportscast137 22 күн бұрын

“Marion is his greatest treasure even when the ARC gets taken away from him.” Pun intended? Haha

@stephenwashingtonjr1625 22 күн бұрын

So to answer your question my main is a college student who is learning to use his super powers as a superhero. His flaw is that he is impulsive, doesn’t strategize, and he can be selfish. The lie is that he views himself as a failure and he is disappointment. The reason is because while in college he was locked up and put prison which disappointed his parents and he feels guilt for his bad decisions he has made. I always like having my characters at a young enough age they can learn and make mistakes

@wadegolden3589 22 күн бұрын

Mr. Stevens in The Remains of the Day believes the lie that he must maintain dignity above all else. His flaw is that he is incapable of expressing real emotion to others. In the movie, the scenes with his father beautifully illustrate how both the flaw and the lie originally manifested, and the final encounter with Mrs. Kent tragically reinforce them.

@mah2418 22 күн бұрын

One of the best advices I have ever heard.

@anon_y_mousse 18 күн бұрын

I think one of the problems with certain character arcs that span multiple movies is that they may each have a different writer and thus development may be forgotten. I think this is probably one of the biggest reasons why so many of us dislike the later Indiana Jones movies as well as those of other long-running franchises.

@ABuffaloDub 22 күн бұрын

I just like listening to this guy

@asquirrelplays 21 күн бұрын

Always a good day when Mr. McNulty posts a video. Granted I'm 20 hours late to the show but that's beside the point. Loved the before and after snapshots. Was really cool to see them side by side like that, and a good trick to remember!

@BbGun-lw5vi 21 күн бұрын

This is not only one of your best videos, it’s one of the best writing videos I’ve ever watched. I’ve read a lot about the misbelief and character arcs but you put all of it together in a way that is easy to understand.

@mrsturtevant1 19 күн бұрын

I always looked at Ratatouille, and thought that Remy doesn't really need to change. It seems everyone else around him needed to change. I wondered how it's still an epic masterpiece 🤩 even though Remy doesn't really change. But this video answered that question for me, he has a flat character arc.

@ludovico6890 22 күн бұрын

Really good video however I'd disagree about The Godfather: Michael's lie is that he can keep away from family business. He states it to Kay: "It's my family, it's not me." So his change is "positive", in some way, but tragic: he could not escape his destiny, his identity, but it came at a high price. When I watched the movie the first time I was blown away by how smoothly it was done. The Godfather is truly Greek tragedy.

@kennethmiller2333 21 күн бұрын

When I saw the list of movies, I was struggling to figure out which ones were going to be the examples of arcs done poorly. I think the persistence of flaws, even at the end of an arc helps make some of the greatest characters. For instance, the movie version of Theoden, in my view, eclipsed the book version because it was always two steps forward, one step back for him. Whether a flaw, lie, or mix, the impacts of Grima, the tragedy of his kingdom, and the feeling that he is the lesser son of greater sires never were completely shaken until his dying breath. That didn't stop his trajectory from being meteoric. Of course, Brenard Hill's portrayal of him was also a large part of his impact.

@jennymunday7913 20 күн бұрын

My favorite character arc is a manhwa called Wrong Night Stand (it's 18+ spicy BL). (Spoilers - don't sleep on manhwa's. They have some great little storytelling powers.) The villain who is universally hated in season one becomes the protagonist of season two, and despite everyone loathing this character, they're in love with him by the end. It's a massive positive change. His flaws are that he thinks it's best to use others, convince them they're special, and get them to confess their love for him, then drop them and destroy their confidence by admitting he never cared. He's a control freak when it comes to emotions. He has to have the upper hand and never allows anything to bother him, even when it does. He pushes that emotion away. He lives to ruin others' feelings. The lie he tells himself is that he likes doing that. Another lie is that he's not lonely. And finally, none of this bothers him. He overcomes his flaws, admits he doesn't feel good about what he did to others, and considers how to make it right. But until the end, he won't admit to himself that he's lonely or genuinely in love with someone. It's terrifying to him when he finally breaks down and admits it. Partially because of a little fear in the back of his head that his lover is doing what he once did and is going to hurt him emotionally, but mostly because he's giving up all his control.

@stellargalaxy9 9 күн бұрын

This video was insanely useful for me as I am trying to write a story for the first time and I’ve never made a character before. So far my characters feel empty and fake and I think this idea of lies and flaws is exactly what I was missing 👍

@billharm6006 21 күн бұрын

I have, and have read, Weiland's book. Your approach came across a lot better and in fewer words.

@callmechristian3900 22 күн бұрын

Thank you for another great video. I have learned so much from you.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Thrilled to hear it!

@michaelwong9411 21 күн бұрын

I believe Indiana Jones has a positive change arc, but it's a recurring arc, because he keeps relapsing. He has the same exact arc in the third movie (Last Crusade), where he starts the movie with "it belongs in a museum" and ends the movie with "let it go". A recurring positive change arc should be familiar to anyone who's ever known an alcoholic. They often learn that alcoholism is bad, and then they decide to quit, and then they relapse and have to learn it all over again.

@freddyfranchise 14 күн бұрын

fantastic video shedding some light into this complex matter!

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 14 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@morganbroadhead6943 Күн бұрын

This is exactly what I needed this week. Thanks!

@Xenozfan2 21 күн бұрын

I love the explanation of the difference between a lie and a flaw. It's something I'd not come across before but definitely will be using in the future!

@ellennewth6305 21 күн бұрын

Extremely valuable video, Brandon! Great way of explaining character arcs and lies.

@IMAMONGUS 21 күн бұрын

Brandon your channel is so amazing. I’m not even a writer, but I’ve been very curious about why modern Hollywood productions seem to be such poor quality. Your videos help me understand bad vs good writing and I appreciate you!

@Spaghettificat 22 күн бұрын

Fantastic!!! You have crystallized it for us so well! Especially differentiating between the flaw and the lie.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Thanks! Glad it helped!

@user-is6yl9wi7e 5 күн бұрын

Great video! Thank you!!! Love your simple to-the-point explanation! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

@shadquirk607 21 күн бұрын

This is so on point, awesome work man.

@ufcoque8697 13 күн бұрын

Excellent video as always. I can't even begin with how much I appreciate your channel

@OlgaKuznetsova 21 күн бұрын

I wouldn't say it's my absolute favorite example, but it just came to mind. I love the flaw and lie in I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore. The lead character's flaw is that she does not stand up for herself and the lie is that the world sucks/ people suck. The moment she starts to overcome her flaw, she starts to unravel the lie. Like the very first time she stands up for herself, the lie begins to unravel. So beautifully written!

@AidanDaDoolphin 11 күн бұрын

This came out just when I am writing a video essay on a character arc!

@bldcaveman2001 22 күн бұрын

I'd actually only ever heard of flaws, not "lies". The distinction clears up so much in my head when trying to analyse characters who's flaws don't change and then how to use that.

@joshk2598 21 күн бұрын

I wear both, one on each wrist. My Apple Watch is pretty plain, and my mechanicals are a bit more blingy. I manage developers over-seas so the mechanical is set to their time, which is very handy.

@sofa_king_prod 16 күн бұрын

What a fantastic video! Really appreciate this.

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 16 күн бұрын

Thanks! Glad it helped

@matityaloran9157 22 күн бұрын

2:36, like Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Carol

@christianRafaelCasti 21 күн бұрын

I'm writing a story with a character with a flat arc and I didn't know it. He's my favorite character in the story (it's for a fighting game with 15 characters) he doesn't care about anything that happens to him, slander, hate (totally selfless) as long as the boy, his master (he's a toy) is safe. He sides with the bad guys to keep tabs on them and is treated like a traitor but the twist happens when he finds out they are hurting the boy and goes to get the other heros to fight back, which creates so much conflict because he was already seen as a Villain from before the whole thing started because he's a villain toy and he's hero counterpart took too seriously his backstory

@diannebdee 22 күн бұрын

Brandon, I'm currently working on my first novel and I'm having problems with one aspect of it. To explain I'll use names that are not my character's names to describe my problem. Mike and Sarah meet in a place and have four nights together where they express their love for each other. Sarah's angry ex finds out where they are and with a friend, come in and attack the two lovers, wounding both of them. A wounded Sarah is able to get away to try to find help for both her and Mike, but when that helper I'll call John, goes back to find out of Mike is okay, he's not there. The helper is able to get Sarah to safety, but Sarah now believes Mike is dead. About five years later, Mike is able to find Sarah again (Mike knew Sarah got out of the trouble and got help) and Sarah is surprised to see Mike again. They rekindle their love and are able to build a life together. Much later on, Sarah's ex finds out where Mike and Sarah are and tries to kidnap their little girl in revenge. The ex is injured, but some information comes to light that Sarah's ex caused something bad to happen to John, the helper. After many years, Mike and Sarah contact John to tell him who it was that hurt him and John comes to where Mike and Sarah are living with their child. John of course believed Mike to be dead, so they have to explain what happened to Mike and how Mike survived. This information about Mike needs to be related a few times during the course of the story, and I'm having trouble trying to figure out how to tell the same information without boring the reader. Is there any way you can help me out? Thanks in advance. And yeah, I can see how Godzilla would be a negative event. Totally. And thanks for using G-1 as an example. One of the best films out there was a wonderful character arc for Koichi.

@caedrewan 14 күн бұрын

The crown jewel of my comic collection is Issue #0-100 of Superboy (90's Superboy) - and although the strength and weakness of comics is their "eternal second act", we certainly do have a beginning from which to examine flaws and lies. The first image of Superboy, fairly iconic, is his stepping out of the tunnels from Project Cadmus and telling his companions, "Don't call me Superboy!" His flaw, present throughout his series and beyond, is in his desire to project a particular image of himself - the shades, the leather jacket, the slang - his supporting cast even features a sleezy publicist. We can go on to say that this is an extension of the inferiority he feels at being a clone - he latches onto the idea that Superman is an out-of-date square, while Superboy himself is hip, in that this is the only arena in which Superboy can outcompete Superman. Following from this, his lie is that he doesn't believe he's a worthy hero and person. His relationship with "Knockout" plays into this: Knockout is really an abusive narcissist who manipulates Superboy by feeding his ego, "you've got the power to do what you want", "I'm the only one who really understands you" kind of stuff - and Superboy's actions at this time cause him to lose standing with the people who know this is a bad road. Supergirl even rips the S shield off of Superboy, which feeds into Superboy's anxieties (which isn't to say Supergirl was wrong to do this, the moment was a huge wake up call) Conversely, dozens and dozens of issues later, Superman gives Superboy a kyrptonian name: "Kon-El", and this is really the ultimate expression of Superboy being acknowledged as a worthy hero and person.

@TheZetaKai 21 күн бұрын

Great video, as always. One little nitpick: KM Weiland pronouces her name WHY-land, not WAY-land. You can hear her say it at the beginning of every one of her videos (which have fantastic writing advice, as she literally wrote the book(s) about character arcs [/plug]).

@factoryofdivisiveopinions 15 күн бұрын

Hey, can you also make a video on subtext? Not just on dialogue but in other scenes as well. Like how Jimmy Mcguiel's cup won't fit in his new car indicating how he is out of place at his job, in Better Call Saul show.

@jahredcr916 21 күн бұрын

When making my characters I always create start off with who they are and their flaws, and how it connects to their life and others, my main character is a violent savage person, this makes others see her as crazy and insane, especially since she is living in a small religious town in 1860, her violence brings herself harm that almost kills her multiple times and she doesn’t stop because she believes people who died protecting her could’ve lived if she just fought harder.

@shinankoku2 22 күн бұрын

So hey, thanks for these videos. I’m using this in my DnD and cyberpunk RED games.

@sarahsander785 21 күн бұрын

I want to point out that something that is a flaw (or conceived to be a flaw by the character and their surrundings) can sometimes BECOME a strength. This is done by embracing the flaw at some point and being able to see that's not that bad after all. An example of this would be Digimon Adventure (the original, not the 2020 reboot), where Taichi's courage is reckless in the beginning, making it his major flaw. Around the middle of the story he realizes that recklessness is a dangerous thing and becomes almost catatonic for some episodes, before realizing that he can infact be couragous without being reckless. Later on it's shown that this lesson leads to him being able to still act reckles sin certain situations, where a little bit of death.defying behaviour might be the only path to go. A more recent example would be Tokyo Revengers, where Takemichi's soft heart is a major flaw in the context of the story (it's a gangster story after all). But as the story moves forward it becomes more and more clear that his softness is what's needed to bring the story to a good end. Sure, he grows stronger and a bit more hardend over time, but things start to become better for him and his goals when he embraces his kind.heartedness instead of trying to get rid of it. And sorry, that I bring up two anime exapmles here, but I can't think of any western media that portrays this as much. Western media tend to think a bit more in black and white, where a flaw is something you have to overcome to grow stronger. Not something you can embrace to get the same effect. Note that Taichi never become humble and Takemichi never becomes a hardened fighter.

@unicorntomboy9736 21 күн бұрын

In my current book, which features a negative character arc, my protagonist's (an elven princess) flaw is that she is insecure and seeks external validation from others. Later on in the book, my protagonist doubles down and embraces the lie she believes, and develops more overtly darker, more sinister traits

@MrLavajet 12 күн бұрын

Could you do another video addressing Character Flaws/Lies? It was the first time I've heard of Character Lies articulated and I'd love to see some good/bad writing examples (i.e. natural vs. forced by the writer a la the Mary Sue characters of Star Wars/MCU).

@andrewwest7327 22 күн бұрын

Would love you to do a vid comparing original Star Wars vs sequel trilogy, this would get you some great traction on here. Thanks for ur hard work from UK

@josephnguyen2728 22 күн бұрын

Brandon is the best

@adampavlakovic3649 14 күн бұрын

My favorite KZfaqr

@WifeWantsAWizard 21 күн бұрын

(5:44) Here's the problem. The "negative-change arc" isn't different than the "positive-change arc". Whether something is a "lie" or a "truth" is subjective. The movie's writer chooses the "truth" they are trying to offer to the audience, but every single character believes they are on the "positive-change arc"--offering their "truth" to combat the lie. Suggesting that a character has a "negative-change arc" risks writing that character incorrectly.

@cloudshifter 21 күн бұрын

A professional writer I once saw broke it down in simple terms really nice and neatly Negative past experience -> coping mechanism - Lie they believe (basically the character doesn't know their coping mechanism and makes up sth else to justify their behavior) l Affects various aspects of one's life (Goals, style, work, relationships, dialogue etc.) (The coping mechanism affects both things at the same time, life and the lie. Some people don't have a lie and know exactly what is wrong with them but don't change.) That's all you really need for a basic character before they go on an arc, when the arc occurs something challenges their worldview and are either unaffected, better or worse and then you can jump back to step one. (People go crazy about the "goal", it is a good thing to have a clear goal but if you prioritize it you will only write a specific type of character who is usually the confident over achiever who embarks on a journey. A goal doesn't define a person, you wanted to be sth different when you were a kid than now, when your goal is to go buy chicken wings that isn't the essence of your very being, it's a result.)

@BbGun-lw5vi 21 күн бұрын

I love this! Can you give me a concrete example of a specific negative experience and what coping mechanism results from it, as well as the specific lie the character believes from it. I’m just trying to figure out examples of coping mechanisms. Thank you.

@Hitscanister 8 күн бұрын

I've just started writing my first novel and I've noticed that it's harder to give my main character a strength when I know he's going to have a tragic development arc. It's about a young teenager sabotaging his education in order to join a war. He convinces himself that it's what's right for him, but should later find out that, well, war is hell. My main inspiration(s) is/are from the novel/movie "All quiet on the Western front" and "Treassure planet". Now this where my tricky part comes. He tries to convince other students and friends (mostly through propaganda and other exterior lies) why he wants to go, but he does it a rude manner. There are some reasons why he behaves that way due to his backstory, but I don't feel this excuses his way of being an A-hole, and also I don't think that my reader would cheer on him to survive the war. I am quite early in the writing process, so anything could change. My character is going to mature in some areas, but without a known strength in very beginning, it is hard to know where to go from. I think that a rude, immature teenager needs positive traits, but how and where to find them is my biggest struggle at the moment.

@mattt2277 20 күн бұрын

If we're talking character arcs, none compare to G'Kar and Londo from Babylon 5. The show is an absolute clinic and if you haven't watched it, GO DO IT NOW!

@heathercampbell6059 21 күн бұрын

Rethink their is the best video I've seen from you.

@tahutoa 22 күн бұрын

A good example of a flat arc is Goku from Dragon Ball. He grows in strength, sure, but his character doesn’t change very much

@ShinGallon 22 күн бұрын

I'm gonna ramble about my own characters again because I love them and your videos inspire me and make me examine how to write them better. The two main characters in my graphic novel both have flaws, but I feel like the protagonist doesn't have an arc...at least in the first book. She starts out just roaming as an adventurer and ends the story much the same, although with a new friend. Given the inspiration Conan the Barbarian had on the character though this is understandable. She is definitely going to have an arc in the second book that explores her history and why she left home to become an adventurer (as well as reveal her deep-seated self loathing, which also feeds her Flaw). She has a flaw in that she has a hair trigger on her temper and tends to react to problems with violence, but by the end of book 1 she's making efforts to control that, but it's something that will persist through the sequels. The deuteragonist's flaws are hubris and mistrusting others. He's a kobold, and given how the society of other peoples in the world treat kobolds (that is, extremely poorly) he's taken to overcompensating for wanting to prove his people worthy of respect by looking down on non-kobolds, while also inherently mistrusting anyone who isn't (which is his Lie). His arc in book 1 is overcoming his mistrust of others, he still has to work on the hubris part.

@jaymentarii 21 күн бұрын

Could you do a video on how to show antagonist decipt like the chancellor in Star Wars without showing their pov until their reveal? The story is mainly in the protagonist's pov so they're inward until its revealed said person is the antagonist

@feelswriter 21 күн бұрын

For further development: you are saying that when the character replalces their lie with a truth, they can then lead a happy, fulfilling life. From Truby's Anatomy of Story, he seems to always pair this impact on the character with character's impact on others. He calls this the moral aspect. While they believe the lie, they cause harm to others. When they learn the truth, they can stop causing others harm in that way. I know this is another layer of complexity, but it does seem important. Maybe this is just another way their definition of success changes? Regarding your video: this is the first place I've seen someone tackle the comparison of flaw with misbelief. I'll have to think about this. Very interesting! To me it's sort of like how world building can be described. Think of a focal aspect of the world's culture. Then puzzle out the implications, what sorry of culture would this be? Similarly with a character -- think of their misbelief, then what are the implications? How would they then act, decide etc.? This would support their flaw being essentially caused by their misbelief. Anyway, thanks for thinking so clearly. Very exciting that there will be a book!

@rabbadoodles4522 21 күн бұрын

I thought a character flaw was about what the character is like, such as being greedy, being selfish, lacks empathy and whatnot and a character lie was what the character believes like they think the world is cruel and no good, you can't make friends because they will eventually betray you and that kind of stuff.

@mars_12345 22 күн бұрын

I'm not a writer, but want to start prototyping the story for a game that I am planning to make. Is there any "safe" approach to take, like "define your arcs first and then fill the story in-between their starts and ends"? Or is it better to first have a story to tell and then try to fit a character and their arc in? The former seems better as it focuses on characters, their motivations and feelings, and I think these are the most important things, but I'd appreciate any piece of advice on the matter. Now onto "how to hook your audience" I go, further down the rabbit hole of watching your advice videos :)

@ShawnRavenfire 22 күн бұрын

A lot of this can be applied to real life as well.

@5BBassist4Christ 21 күн бұрын

Something doesn't feel right when somebody makes a video about character arcs without having at least 3 examples from Avatar: The Last Airbender. On a side note, I realized that Luke Skywalker's character arc through the trilogy is a very unique type of arc. The first movie he has a very generic positive arc, where he goes from immature farm boy to victorious ace pilot. The second movie has a more humbling arc, where he thinks himself great from his past victories, but gets beat around until he is broken, defeated, and disillusioned. The third movie is then the interesting one as it shows how he's coped with his lessons in 2, and now he is a wiser stable man who is able to change others. I call this the "Becoming the Paragon Arc", and it's an arc that I'm using for a character in my book.

@jesusromanpadro3853 22 күн бұрын

You just answer a question I have. How to write a series were there are few changes? Like The Incredible Hulk, The A Team, or X Files series. With the exception of some episodes in the last one, there are few changes to the main characters's lies and flaws. 1) The main character(s) affect the arc of another character in the curent story or arc. 2) The main character(s) doesn't have to resolve or succumb to their flaw(s).

@HawkloveFoxglove 15 күн бұрын

Finally a video with G-Minus One! Godzilla fans unite!

@Furball39 22 күн бұрын

Hello Brandon, great vid, could you make a one on doomed heros plz, unless that's already been done and I've missed it 😊

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Hmm… might have covered it. Search “Fallen Heroes” on my channel

@Furball39 21 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty ha, your right, I probably should of searched first! 😅

@Osama_sabbah 22 күн бұрын

You mentioned in an old video a thing where I should drop the I. Can you pls tell me the best way to do so?

@docstockandbarrel 21 күн бұрын

👍🏻

@strangesword4524 22 күн бұрын

This video reminds me of a character from The Wire, Jimmy McNulty, who grew out of his egotistical and aloof personality into a strong and caring character. One great character arc. Spoilers for The Wire's Final season: Until the final season decided to make him back into his Season 1 self for no reason and undo everything his character was built up to become.

@user-ns9vi3mu2p 21 күн бұрын

Could you make a video about describing your setting without making it boring

@scydrex7828 19 күн бұрын

What would you say Walter White's arc is? It definitely skews towards the negative as the series goes by, but in the end he seeks redemption by attempting to undo many of the things he's done.

@Bronx_Nate 14 күн бұрын

Brandon you very briefly mentioned in another video about Protagonists being self sacrificing and Antagonists being selfish. Can you tell me what video that was in? Also I assume going from being selfish to sacrificing can be an arc as well.

@ridleyformk1244 22 күн бұрын

12:43: Death Note's Light Yagami. Spoliers! His lie is that he believes that he's the god of the new world, chosen to kill all of the crimnals of the world with the Death note. His flaw links to that by being hurbis, when he kills L Tailor, saying that he's a decative known as L, because he called him evil. He could have just shrugged it off, carry on killing to achieve the perfect world, but he lets that get to him, and he goes on the offense, resulting in the first innocent life he took, and the start of his downfall. There's a reason why Death note is my favourite thing in friction of all time. I say that, Tailor was on drath row, but Light didn’t know that till the real L showed up on Telly to say it to him, so it technically counts.

@nelsonaraujo86 9 күн бұрын

Armin Arlert from Attack on Titan has a character lie: he feels unworthy and dumb when everyone turns to him when cornered.

@nelisezpasce 21 күн бұрын

Real life examples of satisfying character arcs?

@elivanto1673 22 күн бұрын

Don't judge me. I just want to add a redemption arc that no one else here would even think to post. I like the arc of Discord from My Little Pony. He initially is a omnipotent god out to rule the world, but gains a single friend. When he realizes that his chaotic rule will hurt the only friend he has ever made, he can't go through with hurting her. His relationship with the pony grows and grows throughout the seasons. He risks his life multiple times to save her. By the end of the series, he finally gets to marry the one and only friend who gave him respect. It humanizes (?) a cold and hateful monster into one of the greatest heroes of the series.

@mrjensmeister 21 күн бұрын

Spoilers!

@elivanto1673 21 күн бұрын

@@mrjensmeister I suppose I should have said that, but if you want to watch all 221 episodes of the series, plus the specials and the movie, it will take time.😋

@leonbozzini6551 22 күн бұрын

Hi, I've watched your video where you say you discovered Attack on Titan, and after hearing you elaborate on the subject of character arc here I thought you would almost certainly enjoy a series called Vinland Saga. It is a historical anime about Vikings, and its story is somewhat reminiscent of the novel Blood Meridian. It follows one of the most amazing character arcs for a protagonist IMO. Thanks for all the great content you put out, congrats!

@WriterBrandonMcNulty 22 күн бұрын

Thanks! I'll add Vinland Saga to my list!

@LordBaktor 22 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty I hope Fulmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is already on that list :P

@leonbozzini6551 22 күн бұрын

@@WriterBrandonMcNulty 🖖😊 You won't regret it