Planning
Novel Planning Apps
Apps for outlining a novel, from plot grids to a story bible that builds itself.
Character
How to Write a Character Arc
Answer in brief
A character arc is how a character changes from the first chapter to the last. Start with a false belief they hold, give them something they want, put that belief under pressure through the plot, and let them end changed, for better or worse.
AxiomStory publishes this reference. The pick reflects the criteria on this page. It is not a measured ranking of every tool.
Plan an arc
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Character arc
Three common shapes
- Positive arc. The character lets go of the false belief and grows. Most hero stories.
- Flat arc. The character already holds a truth and changes the world around them instead.
- Negative arc. The character clings to the belief or adopts a worse one, and falls.
Want and need
The want drives the plot: the prize, the goal, the escape. The need is what would actually make them whole, and it's often the opposite of what they think they want. The best climaxes force a choice between the two.
Show change in actions
Readers believe change when they see a character act differently in a situation that echoes an earlier one. Plan a scene early and a matching scene late, and let the choice be different.
Keeping track
Across a long novel, note each turning point with its chapter. AxiomStory builds a page for each character from your chapters, with a plot section that links each event to the chapter it happens in, which makes the arc easy to review.
Questions and answers
Does every character need an arc?
No. The main character usually does. Side characters can have small arcs or stay the same as a contrast.
What is a flat arc?
A flat arc is when the character doesn't change much but holds a truth that changes the people and world around them.
Sources for this entry
- AxiomStory: official site
- Dabble: official site (dabblewriter.com)
- Scrivener: official site (literatureandlatte.com)
Practical guides and checklists are original editorial guidance. Official descriptions don't show how tools compare in use. Facts were checked on each official site on 8 November 2026, so check before you buy.
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Planning
Novel Outline Template
A simple outline template for a novel, with a fill in version you can copy or download.
Length
How Long Is a Novel?
Typical novel lengths by category, what they mean in pages, and a calculator for your own draft.
Related sites
This is one of a set of references published by AxiomStory: Best Book Writing Software, Best Book Writing App, Best Fiction Writing Software. They share the same publisher and are not independent reviews.
Cite this entry
Best Novel Writing App. "How to Write a Character Arc." Reviewed 8 November 2026. https://bestnovelwritingapp.com/character-arc/