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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

How can you redeem an awful character, who hits close to home?

Asked by: Russell Munez

How do you redeem an evil character?

5 Simple Rules for Redeeming a Fictional Villain

  1. Step #1: Be Villainous… but not too villainous.
  2. Step #2: A hint of something more.
  3. Step #3: The turn.
  4. Step #4: The right partner.
  5. Step #5: Final Redemption.
  6. No villain will be truly redeemed without the accumulation of their story arc.

What makes a character redeemable?

A character is redeemed, if they realise truly, that their past acts were wrong, and truly try to do good or make amends, as a result of that realisation — for real, and not just because it doesn’t matter to them any more what they do. This seems to tick most boxes for our everyday fictional understanding.

How do you get redemption?

One of the first steps of seeking redemption is that you have to take responsibility. Often this means that you have to actually apologize for what you’ve done – especially if you’ve been called out. However, this is one of the areas where people tend to fall down.

Whats a redemption arc?

A redemption arc is when a character either 1) performs a heroic act that essentially makes up for his previous wrongdoings, or 2) is redeemed by another character. The act can be external, internal, big, or little. The repercussion is that the act performed by the character helps make up for what he did in the past.

Can evil characters be redeemed?

However, this very rarely happens as most villains often retain some of their more unpleasant character traits. There are several ways a villain can redeem themselves including: Snapping out of a possessed or brainwashed state, and deciding to aid the hero who freed them.

What’s the opposite of a redemption arc?

A corruption arc is essentially the opposite of a redemption arc, and it is actually equally great because it proves to the viewers and readers that not even the most good-hearted people remain perfect.

How do you redeem yourself?

How to Forgive Yourself

  1. Focus on your emotions. …
  2. Acknowledge the mistake out loud. …
  3. Think of each mistake as a learning experience. …
  4. Give yourself permission to put this process on hold. …
  5. Have a conversation with your inner critic. …
  6. Notice when you are being self-critical. …
  7. Quiet the negative messages of your inner critic.

How do you write a believable redemption arc?

To write a redemption arc through partnership, work out what is making your character a bad person. Work out why another person can change them. A character who is lonely may feel they are not good enough. They won’t let their inner truth out because they feel it’s not good enough.

How do you write a redemption?

7 Rules for Writing a Redemption Story

  1. Every story has a hero. It has to be about someone.
  2. The hero starts out flawed, but likable. …
  3. The hero is changed by the end. …
  4. The hero has a goal. …
  5. The story is really about what the hero needs. …
  6. The story has a theme. …
  7. Every great story is about transformation.



Who has the best redemption arc?

10 TV Characters With The Best Redemption Arc

  1. 1 Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
  2. 2 Steve Harrington (Stranger Things) …
  3. 3 Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) …
  4. 4 The Hound (Game Of Thrones) …
  5. 5 Villanelle (Killing Eve) …
  6. 6 Theon Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones) …
  7. 7 Michael (The Good Place) …
  8. 8 Alexis Rose (Schitt’s Creek) …

What is the best redemption arc?

TV’s Best Redemption Arcs: From ‘Buffy’s Spike to ‘Stranger Things’ Steve

  • Damon Salvatore – The Vampire Diaries. …
  • Elizabeth Jennings – The Americans. …
  • Peter – The Great. …
  • Spike – Buffy the Vampire Slayer. …
  • Steve Harrington – Stranger Things. …
  • Villanelle – Killing Eve. …
  • Zuko – Avatar: The Last Airbender.

How do you write an arc?

A traditional narrative arc has five elements, in the following order:

  1. Exposition. This is the reader’s introduction to the story. …
  2. Rising action. This is when conflict begins to ramp up. …
  3. Climax. …
  4. Falling action. …
  5. Resolution.



How do you write a satisfying story?

How to Write a Satisfying Ending for Your Novel

  1. Know your ending before you start writing. …
  2. Build tension in the leadup to the end. …
  3. Try different endings on for size. …
  4. Leave room for interpretation. …
  5. Ensure that your ending makes sense. …
  6. Evoke emotions. …
  7. Make sure your ending resolves the storyline.

Which is an example of a character arc?

Well-known examples of this type of character arc include: Harry Potter in the Harry Potter series. Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series.

What is the 8 point story arc?

The eight point arc, as the name suggests, revolves around eight stages of the narrative. These are as follows: the stasis, trigger, quest, surprise, critical choice, climax, reversal and resolution.

What is stasis in a novel?

A stasis /ˈsteɪsɪs/ or stasis field, in science fiction, is a confined area of space in which time has been stopped or the contents have been rendered motionless.



What is stasis in story?

What is stasis? This is the “before” of the protagonist’s journey. His situation is stable, but often unfulfilling in some fundamental way. Alternately, his life seems satisfying, but there’s a major flaw in his character. All stories have one or both of the following: external conflict and internal conflict.

What are the 5 types of stories?

Below are the seven basic plots—with examples from art and advertising of stories that fit each one.

  • Overcoming the Monster. This type of story goes back through Beowulf to David and Goliath and surely a lot further than that. …
  • Rebirth. A story of renewal. …
  • Quest. …
  • Journey and Return. …
  • Rags to Riches. …
  • Tragedy. …
  • Comedy.

How many ways can a story be told?

There Are Only 6 Ways to Tell a Story.



Are there only 7 stories in the world?

Many academics, most notably author Christopher Booker, believe there are only seven basic narrative plots in all of storytelling – frameworks that are recycled again and again in fiction but populated by different settings, characters, and conflicts.

How do I write a novel?

How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps

  1. Nail down the story idea.
  2. Read books in your genre.
  3. Choose your book’s point of view.
  4. Establish the setting.
  5. Develop your main characters.
  6. Establish the conflict and stakes.
  7. Create an outline.
  8. Choose your story structure.

What should you not do when writing a novel?

Avoid making common mistakes by following these writing tips:

  1. Don’t write sporadically. …
  2. Don’t ignore story structure. …
  3. Don’t second guess yourself. …
  4. Don’t abandon your first novel. …
  5. Don’t pigeon-hole your process. …
  6. Don’t start off slow. …
  7. Don’t switch POV. …
  8. Don’t create flat characters.

Can anyone write a novel?

The answer is that yes, anyone can write a book. You don’t need to be an expert, or even particularly eloquent. All you need is access to a computer and a little bit of determination. You’ve always wanted to write a book.

How do you write a well character?

Follow these character development tips when you sit down to write:



  1. Establish a character’s motivations and goals. …
  2. Choose a voice. …
  3. Do a slow reveal. …
  4. Create conflict. …
  5. Give important characters a backstory. …
  6. Describe a character’s personality in familiar terms. …
  7. Paint a physical picture of your characters.

How do you write a well rounded character?

7 Tips for Making Interesting, Well-Rounded Characters

  1. Spend a bunch of time with them. Think about them, imagine them in various scenarios—both in and out of your story. …
  2. Ask about their pasts. …
  3. Ask all sorts of questions. …
  4. Meet the family. …
  5. Go through their stuff.
  6. Open their closets. …
  7. See how they change.

How can you make a character more likeable?

12 Tips on How to Write a Likable Character

  1. Introduce your character early on in the story. …
  2. Make your character a flawed person. …
  3. Give them a backstory to help readers connect with them. …
  4. Make sure they have goals and motivations that are relatable. …
  5. Show their vulnerability, but don’t let it become too much of an issue.