What's the Difference Between the Need and the Truth in Character Arc?

helpingwritersb...
www.kmweiland.com
Historical and speculative novelist K.M. Weiland offers tips and essays about the writing life to help other writers understand the ins and outs of the craft and the psychology behind the inspiration.
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Today's question from danielandishmand (on Instagram) asks:
"I'm having a difficult time distinguishing the protagonist's Need from the Truth. The truth is the insight she gets unwillingly, the need is the action she must take willingly? Help me out?"
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For more info on my book Creating Character Arcs: www.helpingwri...
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Want me to answer your question in a future video? Ask it in the comments below!
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[@dineshed]

Your books have helped me a lot... Thanks!

[@kaidne]

much love

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

This was soooooo helpful. I've been getting them all smudgy

[@sivabalamanigandansivbaals6634]

Always in love with KM❤

[@mcclane4sd]

Your response was nuanced and clear--quite a difficult reply to construct, what with the thorny cross-pollination between the two dichotomies.

[@mageprometheus]

Thank you. A very clear explanation. 🌹

[@KyrieW]

I think this is the best explanation of need, want, truth, and lie I've ever heard! Thanks so much!

[@bradh.johnson2113]

Missed you. So glad to see you again. Thank you for all you do.

[@sabster79]

Jane Eyre’s my favorite novel too 😊. Have you read its prequel “Wide Sargasso Sea”? I haven’t - do you recommend it?

[@DrewNowak]

So glad to have you back--my life feels more complete again 😄 "lie based/truth based" is a very helpful angle on the want/need

[@calebstephens601]

Do you have any advice on red herrings? Or misleading the characters or audience without being cheap or contrived?

[@nikoletta_]

Thank you so much that was really helpful! In what ways does this more expanded perspective emerge by the end of the story and take over the lie?

[@ashergotham]

Hi ma”am 👋 what is the difference between premise and theme? And where to use them

[@phillipmeyer4059]

One of the characters in my story is a traitor to the mission, I want to make sure he is not a cookie cutter stereotype, but I am having a hard time with avoiding the two extremes; of a really bad guy who everyone knows will be a traitor, or the super loyalist that would be the last person anyone would expect to turn sides. What can I do to stay away from the pitfalls?

[@markhanson6563]

Are there any copies of Creating Character Arcs available that aren't in reverse print? thx I see no one else in the comments mirrored my sentiments...

[@robertlyons3839]

How do you send in questions?

[@KMWeilandAuthor]

You can post them here on TH-cam.

[@robertlyons8334]

@@KMWeilandAuthor Oh ok. Great. Do you have any advice on defining (or even selecting) a character's need? I have a couple that seem to address the character's wound, but I'm struggling to select the one lie that plagues them and therefore the truth they must embrace. This character's ghost created several lies. Do you have any tips on choosing one?

[@pavankumar-xh5sp]

Cars movie is a best example for character arc

[@iLoveBigKnockers]

If you forget the names, you will see the same face.