Positive Change Character Arcs and how to use one

This article is part of a series about character arcs for character development.

In character development, there is a lot of talk of character arcs. But what are they? A character arc is the transformation of a character over the course of a story. There are several types of character arcs. In this post, we will take an in-depth look at the positive change arc. In this arc, a character starts off with a major flaw or a skewed perspective, and by the end, they’ve grown into a better, stronger version of themselves. They conquer their inner demons and often achieve something big externally because of it.

When I think of a positive change arc, the first character who comes to mind is Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. From the miserly to the magnificent, the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge is a classic example of a narrative blueprint that captivates audiences and leaves us feeling inspired. It’s the ultimate tale of an individual shedding their weaknesses and embracing their best self, proving that change and redemption are always possible.

Step 1: Establish the Character’s “Lie” and “Truth”

Each successful Positive Change Arc centers on a character’s transformation from believing a Lie to understanding the Truth.

• The Character’s Lie: This is a negative or misguided belief about themselves or the world. The character could believe the Lie based on a painful or traumatic backstory, or as something taught to them by family or society. This Lie is what prevents the character from being happy or whole.
  • Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol begins his tale as a selfish and miserable man. His Lie is that wealth and isolation are the keys to security, which results in unhappiness and unfulfilment.
• The Character’s Truth: This is the realization or understanding needed for the character to become complete. The character’s development is ultimately discovering and accepting a Truth that was always in them, but twisted into a Lie. Their Truth should change their belief, but not who the character fundamentally is.
  • Ebenezer Scrooge’s Truth is that true wealth lies in human connection, generosity, and compassion, rather than in material possessions and isolation.

This Lie and Truth work because the Ghost of Christmas Past shows us that Scrooge has the capacity for human connection through his interactions with his sister and Belle, his fiancée.

Step 2: Define the Internal Conflict: Want vs. Need

The Lie generates the protagonist’s inner conflict. This internal struggle is the concpet that drives both the character’s change and the external plot.

• Want (External Goal): This is the visible, external goal the character pursues throughout the story, usually because they mistakenly believe achieving it will solve the symptoms of their Lie.
  • Scrooge wants to maintain his miserly lifestyle and avoid spending money or socializing.
• Need (Internal Goal): This is what the character must discover or accept about themselves or the world to overcome the Lie and become whole. The want is often simply a symptom of the missing internal need.
  • Scrooge needs to accept the Truth that relationships, generosity, and joy are essential for a meaningful life.

Step 3: Integrate Character Arcs with Plot Structure

The character’s transformation must tie to the plot structure, with the plot constantly challenging the Lie and demanding choices that move the character toward the Truth. (Note: This example is an abbreviated plot structure for illustrative purposes. For more on plot structures, please see my articles about different plotting methods.)

1. The Normal World (Act I): The story starts by establishing the character’s starting point, where they are in their regular life where they believe the Lie. This gives the reader a starting point for the character’s journey. Scrooge’s starting point is that he is cold and isolated, which makes him miserable.
2. The Midpoint (The Turning Point): In the first half of the Second Act, the character wanders through the New World based on their old rules (the Lie). They then reach a Midpoint where they begin subconsciously learning lessons, leading to personal revelations that shift them toward the Truth. For Scrooge, this occurs as the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present show him the consequences of his choices and the joy he has missed.
3. The Third Plot Point (The Defeat): This serves as the story’s low moment, a crushing defeat that forces the character to confront the Lie once and for all. They can no longer pretend the Lie is correct, or their belief in the Lie has caused severe consequences. For Scrooge, this is the terrifying vision presented by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, revealing his lonely death and forgotten legacy.
4. The Climax: The character’s transformation culminates here, as they make the final, critical choice to reject the Lie and embrace the Truth. Scrooge’s climactic moment is when he wakes up on Christmas morning, a changed man, eager to embrace life and generosity.
5. The Resolution: The story ends by showing the reader the character back in their regular life, but no longer believing the lie. One way to show this is to bookend the opening scene. The new state of Ebenezer Scrooge, who becomes generous and caring, provides this sense of positive closure as he helps the Cratchit family and spreads Christmas cheer.

Step 4: Build Change Through Choices

Character development, and the character arc itself, is primarily built from a series of clear, tangible choices the character makes. These critical choices anchor the character’s path to the plot structure.

• Choices Reveal Character: At every crossroads, the character’s decision reveals who they are and if they are progressing.
  • Initially, Scrooge consistently chooses miserliness and isolation. As his arc progresses, he makes choices like increasing Bob Cratchit’s salary and buying a large turkey for their family, demonstrating his transformation.
• Consistency is Key: The choices the character makes throughout the arc must be based on the character’s existing traits and the events in the plot. If the choices seem random or only serve the plot, the development will feel contrived and unrealistic.
  • Scrooge’s choices, driven by the revelations from the ghosts, consistently reflect his journey from coldness to warmth.

Step 5: Foreshadow the Transformation

For a believable arc, avoid completely remaking the character. Foreshadow the character’s potential to change for the better. Do not give the character sudden traits that do not suit their personality or ability.

• Latent Potential: Writers must begin the story showing both the character’s belief in their Lie and their potential or desire to find the Truth.
  • Even in his most curmudgeonly moments, there are subtle hints of Scrooge’s capacity for emotion, such as his brief flicker of sadness when witnessing his past self.
• Shifting Beliefs: The change arc is often described as the shifting of ambivalence within the character, where one side of their personality (the Lie) outweighs the other, until, slowly, the good side (the Truth) gains weight and “outweighs” the negative side.
  • Scrooge’s initial resistance to the ghosts slowly gives way to his growing empathy and regret, foreshadowing his eventual embrace of kindness.

Summary: The Positive Change Arc Blueprint

A Positive Change Arc is defined by moving from a negative starting belief (Point A) to embracing a positive ending belief (Point B).

Element	Description	Example (A Christmas Carol)
Start Point (Point A)	Defined by a Lie (negative belief) and a Flaw (negative behavior).	Lie: Wealth and isolation are necessary for security and happiness.
Want	The external goal the character pursues, believing it will fix their internal problem.	Wants to maintain his miserly lifestyle and avoid spending money or socializing.
Need	The internal realization required to overcome the Lie and find completeness.	Needs to accept the Truth that relationships, generosity, and joy are essential for a meaningful life.
End Point (Point B)	The Lie is overcome, and the character embraces the Truth.	Truth: Embraces kindness, resulting in a transformation from a “miserable curmudgeon” to a “joyful, generous, and loving” man.

By consciously mapping your character’s journey from a deeply held Lie to an empowering Truth, and by crafting a plot that forces critical choices that accelerate this awakening, you can create a dramatic, heroic, and incredibly satisfying positive change character arc, just like Dickens did with Ebenezer Scrooge. Happy writing!