Character Arcs
Character Arcs in Subtxt are the place where you track how personal pressure changes over time. They connect the Main Character, Influence Character, and Relationship Story Throughlines to the Storyform’s Dynamics so growth feels intentional instead of accidental.
What Character Arcs capture
- Resolve — whether the Main Character remains steadfast or changes.
- Growth — whether the Main Character grows toward Start or Stop.
- Approach — whether the Main Character favors Do-er or Be-er responses.
- Problem-Solving Style — whether the Main Character is Linear or Holistic.
These are the Character Dynamics that define the audience’s emotional journey. Subtxt keeps them visible so every later Storypoint and Storybeat honors the chosen arc.
Building arc cohesion
- Anchor the arc to the Throughlines. Make sure the Main Character Throughline and Influence Character Throughline reinforce the same underlying pressure.
- Check the Relationship Story. If the Relationship Story is drifting away from the arc, the emotional core of the story will feel disconnected.
- Use Storyform Alignment. If a Character Arc contradicts your Storyform, Subtxt will flag the tension so you can adjust intentionally.
From arc to illustration
Once the arc is clear, Illustrating lets you express it through Storypoints and Storybeats. Each arc choice becomes a lens you can apply to Perspectives and Storybeats so the audience feels the pressure of change (or resistance to change) in every major beat.
NOTE
Character Arcs often evolve as you learn more about the story. Keep the arc workpad open while you explore Illustrating so you can adjust and immediately see the ripple effects across Storypoints.