Your protagonist is the heart of your story. They drive the plot, connect with readers on an emotional level, and leave a lasting impression long after the final page. But crafting a memorable protagonist doesn’t stop at the first draft—it’s in the revision process that you can truly bring their arc to life.
Whether your protagonist is a reluctant hero, a morally ambiguous antihero, or an everyday person thrust into extraordinary circumstances, refining their character arc is essential for creating a compelling and cohesive narrative. Let’s explore how to evaluate and enhance your protagonist’s journey during the revision process.
What Is a Character Arc?
A character arc is the internal journey your protagonist experiences as a result of the story’s events. It’s the transformation—or lack thereof—that shows how they’ve been shaped by their circumstances, conflicts, and choices.
There are three primary types of character arcs:
Positive Arc: The protagonist grows, overcomes flaws, and emerges stronger or wiser.
Negative Arc: The protagonist regresses, succumbing to their flaws or external forces.
Flat Arc: The protagonist remains steadfast, but their influence changes the world around them.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Protagonist’s Current Arc
Before revising, take stock of your protagonist’s arc as it stands. This involves asking critical questions about their journey:
What is their starting point?
Who is your protagonist at the beginning of the story? What are their flaws, fears, and motivations?
What inciting event sets their arc in motion?
Identify the moment that forces your protagonist to confront change.
How do they evolve throughout the story?
Do they face internal and external conflicts that challenge their beliefs or goals?
What is their endpoint?
How have they changed (or remained the same) by the conclusion?
Use these questions as a guide to pinpoint areas where your protagonist’s arc might feel inconsistent, unclear, or underdeveloped.
Step 2: Ensure the Arc Aligns with the Plot
Your protagonist’s arc should be intertwined with the story’s events. As you revise, check that the plot actively contributes to their growth (or regression).
Key Considerations:
Cause and Effect: Are the protagonist’s decisions driving the plot, or are they simply reacting to events? A strong arc requires agency.
Conflict and Growth: Does each major conflict force the protagonist to confront their fears, flaws, or beliefs?
Climax and Resolution: Does the climax represent a culmination of their journey? Is the resolution satisfying in light of their arc?
If your protagonist’s arc feels disconnected from the plot, consider reworking scenes or adding moments that challenge them in meaningful ways.
Step 3: Deepen Emotional Resonance
A protagonist’s arc isn’t just about what happens to them—it’s about how readers feel as they experience the journey. Emotional resonance is key to making your protagonist shine.
Tips for Enhancing Emotional Impact:
Internal Conflict: Show the protagonist’s internal struggles through their thoughts, dialogue, and actions.
Relatability: Ensure the protagonist’s fears, desires, and challenges are universal enough for readers to empathize with.
Relationships: Highlight how the protagonist’s interactions with other characters reveal their growth or regression.
Moments of Vulnerability: Allow the protagonist to fail or falter—it makes their journey more human and impactful.
Step 4: Address Flaws and Strengths
A well-rounded protagonist isn’t perfect—they have flaws, strengths, and contradictions that make them feel real. During revisions, ensure their flaws are evident and impactful:
Are the flaws clear and consistent?
For example, a protagonist with a fear of failure might avoid taking risks, but this flaw must actively influence their decisions and relationships.
Do they grow from their flaws?
In a positive arc, the protagonist should overcome their flaws, while in a negative arc, they might succumb to them.
On the flip side, consider how their strengths help them persevere. Balance flaws and strengths to create a multidimensional character.
Step 5: Clarify Their Motivations
Motivations are the driving force behind your protagonist’s actions. Without clear motivations, their arc can feel hollow or contrived.
Revising for Motivation:
Personal Stakes: Are the stakes high enough to justify their actions?
Believability: Do their motivations align with their personality, backstory, and circumstances?
Consistency: Are their actions consistent with their motivations throughout the story?
If your protagonist’s motivations feel weak or inconsistent, revisit their backstory or adjust key plot points to strengthen their drive.
Step 6: Use Feedback to Refine the Arc
Sometimes, we’re too close to our work to see its weaknesses. Feedback from beta readers, critique partners, or a book coach can provide valuable insights into your protagonist’s arc.
Questions to Ask Beta Readers:
Did the protagonist’s journey feel satisfying and believable?
Were there any moments where their actions felt out of character?
Did their growth (or regression) align with the story’s events?
Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure your protagonist’s arc resonates with readers.
Example: Revising a Positive Arc in Fantasy
Let’s say your protagonist is a reluctant hero in a fantasy novel. In the first draft, they start as a timid farmer and eventually defeat a powerful villain, but their transformation feels rushed.
Revision Tips:
Expand Early Challenges: Add scenes where the protagonist struggles with their fear of confrontation, showing incremental growth.
Highlight Key Turning Points: Make the moment where they embrace their role as a hero emotionally impactful, with clear stakes and consequences.
Strengthen the Climax: Ensure their final victory is a direct result of lessons learned throughout the story.
Conclusion
Refining your protagonist’s arc is one of the most rewarding aspects of the revision process. By evaluating their journey, aligning it with the plot, and deepening emotional resonance, you can create a character who captivates readers and leaves a lasting impact.
Remember, your protagonist doesn’t have to be perfect—they just have to feel real. Embrace their flaws, highlight their growth, and don’t shy away from moments of vulnerability.
Ready to tackle your revisions? Start by evaluating your protagonist’s arc with our free Character Development Template, designed to help you map out their journey and ensure their transformation shines.
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