"How to write character arcs over a series?" |
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Welcome back to Ask Abbie, where I answer YOUR writing questions and help you make your story matter! Today I'm answering a tricky writing question: how do you write character arcs over the course of a series? How do you give each book new conflicts without making the series feel repetitive? In this video, we're breaking down the "WWW rule" - my secret to crafting unique internal conflict for your characters that will span the course of your series and make your story unforgettable.
WATCH MY VIDEO ON THE ENNEAGRAM HERE → • Using The ENNEAGRAM To...
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✨T I M E S T A M P S ✨
00:00 Question from Joshua
00:41 Character arcs over the course of a series
03:18 The WWW rule
04:35 Using the Enneagram for character arcs
07:03 Submit your questions for AskAbbie!
07:33 Subscribe for more writing videos :)
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✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.
Story isn’t about “what happens” - it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel - and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!
I've got ADHD so I lose motivation very easily, but your videos really help me make progress. I'm going to attempt Nanowrimo this year, because of your help with prep and mastering characters. I know the chances of me getting as far as I like are slim, but I have high hopes!
Oh my gosh same!!😅 Tis a struggle lol
I'm also doing Nanowrimo for the first time and Abbie has been a great help!!
Same here
me too me too!!!!!!
I have adhd. The following may not be the same for you. I have a cycle where I am interested and then not interested. I do not fight much against the disinterest as it is like walking through knee high mud getting anything done. When I get disinterested in my writing I go on to something else that I like to do. In time my interest slowly picks up again. I don't rush into writing when it does, as it needs to warm up a bit if that makes sense? I am now at the editing stage of my first book and have been at that stage since February 2021. It takes so long as I have a physical health condition that doesn't leave me with much energy. But I plod along and will eventually publish. Hopefully in 6-8 months time. Don't get annoyed or angry at yourself for losing interest; go with your flow.
@@superfluityme I get that! Also, wow, you actually have the first draft of your novel? Keep it up!!!!
Abbie you're doing great job motivating new writers! You have no idea how greatful I am to find you
I was literally trying to figure this out for my series- Abbie you're reading minds!
I like all of this. I want to say one of the things I use, cause I keep forgetting about the Enneagram, is the 16 personality test. I use that to create characters core personality. I answer the question using the character's mindset not my own. It gives me a good building block to work with.
Thank you. I've OFTEN given people your youtube info, when they're on a writing journey and want to learn how, along with podcasts by Savannah Gilbo, Writing Excuses, and The Story Grid, and Save the Cat. I feel like I've earned an MFA by you and those resources. Thank you again.
I’m a Redditor and on r/writing and r/fantasywriting I’ve been able to pass some of Abbie’s great advice onto others.
TH-cam recommended actually did it it's job for once. Instant subscription after just 2 videos. Can't wait to dive into the video history. Always loved dabbling in writing but the slog of everyday life loves to syphon out creativity. Seeing this laid plainly out on the table like this takes a whole lot of weight out of the finer details I generally stress over. Much appreciate. Keep on keeping on
Your videos somehow always make me motivated to write, and your explanations of different aspects of writing are always useful and informative. Thank you for all the work you put into this
There is a business tool called a SWOT analysis that could be used in character creation, and the creation of the environment that the character inhabits. The acronym stands for: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Hi ! What do you mean by opportunities ?
@@Sarah-gl2xi Hi Sarah, In relation to story telling, opportunity can be used to consider what in a characters environment they can use to advance their journey. Or for them to wonder what is possible for themselves or those they know, and use that to improve their situation, or to create the outcome they want to see. To see what will get them out of the mess they have created or what 'life' has brought their way.
Man, I’m so lucky ! I asked this question on last video’s comments😊! Thanks Abbie and Joshua !
Thank you for this! I'm writing a sci fi inspired by the Hunger Games with my best friend....
AND YOUR VIDEOS ARE MAGICALLLL
Abbie you’re the BEST teacher ever!
What tips do you have for young writers? I am always doubting what I write and feel like my writing is too cheesy. I can never stick with a book because I always come to a point where I don't like it. Thank you for your amazing content! I'm looking forward to this week's Preptober video.
Reach out to beta workshops, and other circles like that that's a good place to start and then revise and look into some free or minimal cost writing workshops. It's super helpful coming from an author of 12+years who was published at 17. I hated my writing and still do sometimes. *Feedback is very important and helpful. Get as much as you can."*
I think at that point you have two options: examine why you don't like it or force yourself to push forward and finish the book. Are your characters acting out of character, the story not going the way you want it to plot wise, maybe it's wandering around and not getting to the point, or all of the above. Whatever it is, it's probably due to not fully fleshing that part(s) out. In those cases, going back and fleshing out that part a bit more before looking at what you wrote might help. The other option is just to keep going even if you're unsatisfied. Why? Because nothing is set in stone. Change will happen. Maybe not massive amounts if you plan well but it will change.
I would recommend reading lots of different books on writing like:
°Crafting novels and short stories by writer's digest
°Beginning, Middles, and ends by Nancy Kress
°Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga by Hirohiko Araki
°Wired for story by Lisa Cron
Look for what speaks to you and apply them to your work.
Also look at any books for your specific genre whether it's mystery or romance or etc. There's plenty of books on how to write in that genre. It also helps to go through books you like and even dislike in your genre and think about exactly why you like or don't like something. Make notes.
It might also help to leave your draft alone for a few days before coming back to it and look at it with fresh eyes. Maybe then you'll know why things aren't feeling the way it should or at least have a clue or direction.
when it comes to character journeys in a series, the Netflix series Lucifer did a great job... like each character has there own journey and they all have a impact on the MC, Lucifer's journey. It's one of my favorites. They also manage to maintain a nice flow throughout the entire 6 ss.
Thanks for answering my question Abbie!
U r the best Abbie. U have no idea how helpful u have been!
So helpful✨✨✨ Thank you Abbie💖
Soooooo.... Helpful, Abbie. Thank You!
This was my exact question period I have now written my healthy, average, and unhealthy version of my main character. It feels kinda brilliant, and helps me keep her actions consistent within moods. To the point that they are meant to be consistent, anyway. When she's upset, she can be anywhere from (lightly) punching walls, being a lethargic zombie, bursting into yelling at someone, or desperately trying to make the "perfect" plan that will never exist.
Fantastic video!! (Haha, I immediately knew that example was an Enneagram 8! The Enneagam and MBTI have been sooo helpful in getting a good grasp on my charries! XD)
This is good advice. For my own series, the MC had such a bizarre and isolated upbringing that she has SO much to learn that the lessons should easily stretch over the entire series. Like learning that killing is usually wrong.
You could also make a list of the big lessons the character needs to learn, and see which of those best fits the current book in your series.
There are also interesting dynamics you can get from the interplay between what the protagonist learns vs what the antagonist learns, from their interactions. These things can weave together.
You're awesome! So happy I found this!
Hey Abbie!! Needed to let you know right away that I checked out 100 Days Of Sunlight on Amazon and started reading the first couple chapters - and even though it was 1:30 in the morning and I needed to get up earlier... I COULD NOT STOP READING!!!!
I MEAN... HOLY FLIPPING COW.
So good.
So. So good.
I'm buying your book TOMORROW if it's the last thing I do 😅😅
(I'm 17 and recovering from a double ear infection so not being able to hear very well has been interesting for the past few days haha, so this made me feel even closer to Tessa and Weston. Your writing is SO REAL. Dang can't wait for the whole book!!!! I'll give you an update when I'm finished!! 😁)
I was FREAKING OUT about what my characters arc was going to be like in my outline. Then I found this video. Thanks Abbie ❤️
#AskAbbie
I recently found your channel a few months ago and you have completely changed how I write! Thank you! My question is: I’m writing a novel and I go back and forth between points of view. Both characters have different climaxes in the story. How do you write two different climaxes in the same story without it feelings like a drag before the final climax arrives?
When I read this title I thought it was my question being answered. It seems I'm not alone in wondering and I'm eager to watch this.
This was a really helpful video! As someone who has several series that I want to write in future making characters arcs that span a series is a challenge.....but also a lot of fun😏🤟
Many of your videos have helped me writing, so thank you! But I am struggling with naming my novel, do you have any tips for us?
Great food for thought!
I'm a bit of a personality types junkie - everything from MBTI to enneagram to which Hogwarts house do you belong to. But, I must admit that when I'm reading a book or watching a movie/play/show I tend to think of the characters in terms of sun signs. Not every character every time, but they'll sometimes reveal this to me and I feel like I understand their strengths, weaknesses, wants and needs so much better.
I don't know that this is necessarily how the author thinks about their characters, of course. For instance, I don't know that Austen would have agreed with me that Miss Bennet is a Libra, Mr. Darcy is a Leo and that they have a classic Libra-Leo romance arc ... but, maybe! ;)
At any rate, I agree with Abbie that using personality typology is incredibly useful for gaining insight into fictional characters. I also find it to be a lot of fun.
First also I absolutely looove ur channel I've been here from the beginning. How do I write a friends to lovers. But like the between before they know they love eachother. I'm in that phase and it is really hard to write. Also how do I introduce a character without it being weird. That's all love u abbie. Ur the best and I love ur book it was so good. I hope one day I can meet u, ur my author role model.
hi Abbie, great video. Maybe you could make another one about how to create more empathy toward the characters. I mean, you know when you don't really like what the character do but still you feel empathy for him, Like a violent hitman that helps some kids in the day and at night he kills for money. How the authors make us care about a bad person?
That was so helpful
This approach to defining and specifying the character's traits is just genius. For a stiff shirt pragmatist, such as i, find this a daunting task. Or it may just be me-Mr dumb as a doorpost. All said and done Thank you for the link to Psychology Junkie and the lucid explanations validating it's usage or the approach to using such assists. Appreciate these snippets of wisdom...🙏🙏🙏🙏 ROCK ON!!!! Love the W-W-W rule👍👍👍
The Boom get me every time 😄
Hi, a question from a newbie here. What day of the week do you and your sister do your podcast, and how often do you do Ask Abbie? I am trying to sort my calendar so that I stay on top of these things. Thank you!
Hey Abbie I love your videos! and I’m thinking of getting into writing. (A book series). so I was wondering, how important is it to add small details. examples are: the color is the plates, or the temperature, or how long the table is. should I always add small details? or should I only add them in important places? like foreshadowing or something you need to remember. Anyways thanks for reading this have good week.
Love your videos thank you for helping me and everything with our storys also i have an Questions how do you make a good Enemy to lovers or a mystery Book
“don’t over-complicate it” OH HONEY I’M IN WAY TOO DEEP TO TURN BACK
Can you make a video explaining what a "Flat character" is like?It would be much appreciated.I'm asking this because I'm currently writing a story in which there is a character who seems to be of the same category,this man does not change throughout the story,he changes other flawd characters around him for the better all the while dealing with his own fare share of struggles and complex feelings towards things that happen around him.
There's a video called "Son Goku: the misunderstood character" that explains flat character arcs fairly well.
#AskAbbie
Hi Abbie,
I am a fellow writer and author who loves stories. I recently started a TH-cam channel about writing! When you were just starting out what were some helpful tips you could share about publishing videos geared at authors and writers? I know you don't usually do videos about your YouTubing journey, but I thought it might be helpful for some of your subscribers who are also thinking of making videos for writers.
Thanks,
Emily
Here's a question for any who can answer. Could it work to have a trilogy with the main character having different internal conflict in each book, but the external conflict is the same for the whole trilogy (each book having a slight time jump between them)
Hi Abbie! I'm from India, and I love your videos. They always help me in writing!
I have written 2 novels till now (didn't publish them yet) and have started with my 3rd writing project- A sequel, in the genres of alternate history and romance. I needed guidance about how to write a split in the story- My male protagonist and female protagonist stay apart from each other in the story twice, but later reunite twice as well. How should I write this? Should a part of the sequel tell the male protagonist's story and he next one explain the female version? Or should I follow one of them in a version, and give flashback chapters of the other when they meet? I wish to give the reader a feeling of suspense, as in where is the other protagonist? Is he/she dead? Or even like, something is going wrong, and *boom* the other protagonist appears, "I've always been there for you" kinda thing- "the mini aha moment"?
Please please please guide me!
#askabbie
Thanks again!
3:54 screams Type 8 enneagram ;)
If you are young and want to know the challenges of life; talk to people who are older than you. This will give you insight into life's challenges and how to handle them. This information you can use in character creation and character journey. It will also give you more knowledge on how to write any older characters than your own age.
The real question, when is the next Tess and Weston book coming out? A third would be great!
👍👍👍
Any suggestions on how to keep a book interesting when the MC is alone for a lot of the book?
I was wondering when you were going to tie the weapons, wants and weaknesses back to the ennegram.
💜💜
nice
For writers in the comments; How did you start building an audience?
I feel like some don’t have character development and some don’t after a few books. It starts feeling sitcomy, just visiting characters we like. I think a character has to have a large transformation but it could be through several smaller ones. Maybe you’re writing a narcissist, realistically they aren’t changing much through an experience. Maybe through small changes each experience they have they become more compassionate by the end
omg im so early
I think I am an 8!
Firsttt