How to Craft Powerful Character Arcs Using Their Lie

Character arcs are seen in almost every work of fiction. Depending on your story, your main character may not change drastically throughout the book, meaning their character arc is very minimal.

But first, what is a character arc?

A character arc is the inner journey and transformation a characters goes through over the course of the story.

In short, who they are when the book starts is very different to who they are when the book ends.

In this blog post I’m looking at how you can craft a powerful character arc based on the character’s Lie.

So, what is a character’s Lie?

A character’s Lie is a false belief they have about themselves, others or the world around them. This misbelief often serves as an obstacle for them throughout the story.

By utilising your character’s Lie you can create conflict and emotional tension.

Let’s take a look at how your character’s Lie influences their arc.

Why is a Lie necessary?

The Lie is what will force change to happen. This misbelief is what hinders and holds back your character and once they realise their belief is false they will be able to grow and move past it. This growth is what will allow them to achieve their goal.

The two types of Lies…

Although your character’s Lie may be many things, there are only two types of Lies: internal and external.

An internal Lie is a misbelief they have about themselves. This might be believing that they are weak, believing that they are not a hero, or believing that they are right about a certain feeling or opinion they hold.

A Lie can also be positive (but still just as false). For example, your character may believe they are smarter than they actually are and this lands them in trouble.

An external Lie is one they have about others or the world around them. This may be something like believing a rumour about a certain character, or believing that the world beyond their town is dangerous.

Similarly, these Lies can also be positive. For example, believing that everyone is a good person and then learning the hard way that that may not be the case.

How does the Lie influence the character arc?

Let’s break this down using Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young as an example. This is a standalone YA fantasy so the character arc is completed at the end of the story.

In the book, Eelyn is a young Viking warrior fighting with her Aska clansmen. For centuries, her people have fought against the rival Riki clan. Eelyn has grown up believing that the Riki believe in a false god and that their way of life wrong. However, after she is captured by the Riki during a fight and is forced to live amongst them, she realises that their clan is not so different from her own people. Her belief and opinion of the Riki changes. This allows her to then team up with the Riki against a common enemy.

Eelyn’s Lie is that the Riki are savages and unlike her and her people. Throughout the book, that Lie is challenged and Eelyn is forced to come to the realisation that they are not that different after all. This goes against her beliefs but learning and accepting this truth allows her to become a better person and achieve her ultimate goal of protecting her clan and their land.

In order to have an effective character arc, your character’s Lie should be in contrast to their goal.

Think of this:

Character lie + character goal = conflict

The character either maintains their misbelief and doesn’t achieve their goal, or they overcome their Lie and achieve their goal. By overcoming the Lie, they have completed their arc because they are no longer the same person they were when the story started.

Tie your Lie to your theme

To strengthen your Lie you can also link it to a major theme in the book.

For example, in Sky in the Deep, one of the major themes is acceptance.

Eelyn must accept that her goal can only be achieved with the Riki’s help. She must accept that their clans are not so different and the Riki are not the real enemy. She must accept and come to terms with her immediate anger at her brother’s apparent betrayal.

By accepting the truth, the Lie is linked to the acceptance theme that runs throughout the book and influences Eelyn’s character.

What kind of Lies might your character believe?

Often, Lies stem from something. This may be an institutionalised Lie or a Lie that is personal only to that character.

Lies often stem from feelings such as doubt, fear, grief, regret and anger. They can also stem from flaws, be they real or imagined — such as insecurities, obsessions, addictions, negative personality traits, etc.

Think about what beliefs your main character has and what feelings they possess about themselves and others that could sprout a Lie.

Creating your character’s Lie may take time. Try reading your favourite novels and identifying the Lie, how it changes the character, and how it might tie to the main themes.