LOGICAL LEVELS: Transformational Arcs

Attitude Relationship Identity Values Beliefs Skills Actions Environment
See also Evolution of Character

This framework relates Character development to the structure of a story.
As you read what is written below, picture a series of concentric spirals. Each relates to or connects with all the others, and there's a constant 'flow' or feedback of data between them.
That said, it is also useful to recognise a basic hierarchy from bottom to top.

In real life, if you want to effect lasting change on any level, something MUST happen on the level immediately above. If you omit a level, for example trying to change beliefs without realising that someone lacks a basic skill or capability, then, although they want to behave differently, they may literally not know how!

For our Characters, let's start at the end and end at the top!

What attitude, character or 'spirit' do you want your Characters to develop, evolve or manifest at journey's end i.e. what kind of person (Identity) do you want your protagonist to be by the closing credits?

For them to have achieved this, how do their actions, reactions and transactions differ as the story unfolds, in response to the issues or relationships s/he meets along the way? And in what ways does the audience hear, see and feel these changes taking place?

By the end of the story, how do the Characters perceive themselves differently? If asked, 'Who do you think you are'? how would they answer? Do they - and the audience - have a different sense of their identity?

In what ways are the answers obvious in their actions? Are they less arrogant or more self-assured? Do they have more self -esteem or greater insight? Less restraint along with greater responsibility?

How have their values changed? Do they value other people more, or material goods less? Does principle now matter more than profit, or do they value Mammon more than God?

What are their beliefs about the world? About themselves? About other people? About ambition, emotional authenticity, beauty, gender, people who are different? What do they now believe about their past or hope for their future?

What skills did they develop as they dealt with the challenges that you set up for them? Are they more capable of standing on their own two feet (assuming they have two!)? Are they better able to stand up to the bully in the boardroom or the playground? Can they read when once they were illiterate? Cry when once they were impervious even to onions? Can they cope with a class room of unruly 7 year olds, or quell a seething mob with nothing more than a sharp wit and a blunt penknife?

And, to develop those skills and capabilities, what actions or non-actions, what behaviours did the Characters use or not use? In what way did s/he act or react to challenges and people? What strengths or weaknesses did s/he overcome in the face of opportunities and threats?

In the setting of your story, in what environment did Characters start out, and what path led them to this, the hoped-for plaudits? The necessary punishment? The fitting end of the story?
Roll final credits!

go well MM

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