They’ll act as your reader’s window into your story, and are often POV characters. Typically, these are the characters you’ll want your readers to identify with the most. These characters also have a unique relationship with your readers. “A dynamic character is one whose worldview is changed by the end of a story - undergoing a major shift in perspective or personality.” – Reedsy As your plot challenges and tests them, they’ll be forced to learn important lessons that will change who they are as a person. This plot (and the conflictit creates) is what will trigger their journey, pushing them to take action, face difficult trials, and slowly evolve. Round Characters Dynamic Characters:įirst up, dynamic characters form the backbone of your novel.ĭynamic characters are those who undergo significant transformations throughout your story in the form of character arcs. Well, the answer largely comes down to what type of character they are: dynamic or round?Ĭomparing Dynamic vs. You don’t want your cast to feel flat and boring, so how do you breathe life into characters without writing a character arc to support them? In some cases-like your protagonist-they might be obvious, but often the answer is anything but.

Of course, knowing how to identify these characters won’t always be easy. Instead, your protagonist, mentors, allies, and antagonist are, and thus they’re the characters who warrant a carefully crafted arc. However, they aren’t the focus of your novel. The random grocery clerk who sells your protagonist a pint of orange juice or the nice bus driver who drives them home serve important functions. The key here is one of focus-specifically, which of your characters your novel focuses on.

NOTE: New to character arcs? You can find everything you need to know here: Character Arcs 101. The problem is, not every member of your cast warrants a character arc. Not only do arcs help you craft believable change, but they also help you time that change so that it happens at all the right moments. While there are many ways to create catharsis, character arcs are one of the best tools writers can use to trigger this wave of emotion. Round CharactersĬharacter arcs are a critical part of writing a cathartic (and thus enjoyable) novel.įor those who aren’t familiar with it, catharsis is the feeling of emotional satisfaction you get at the end of a good story.

Flat or round character definition