How to Write a NEGATIVE Character Arc

[@Amy_Mi6]

Ladies and gentlemen, Cpt. Abbie has turned on the “fasten seatbelt” sign so please remain seated, keep the comment section lit and enjoy the show.

[@Jay-mf4mx]

When you learn more on KZbin than school.... Jokes aside I really am glad that this content is available for people because it really helps me understand books, and how to write books, I’ve been taking notes for future reference and I love how it is understandable. Thanks for the content and keep up the great work!

[@LFDLittlefluffydino]

Amen to that!

[@TimRG]

Okay, we have the Negative Arc. How about doing a complete negative to a positive arc? Please?! 🥺😁

[@ShadowWingTronix]

So the redemption arc?

[@happyfellowship4291]

I would be down for that! There's some characters of mine who start in the negative and ultimately realize the truth.

[@dhenderson319]

My character "starts" as good.. she is the hero.. but was a bully as a child because of situations so in the present story she has to remind herself she's not that girl anymore so she is very susceptible to corruption so in book2 she gets corrupted which starts her negative character arc and by the end she needs a redemption arc.. because she is the hero afterall

[@akgwriting9481]

Zuko

[@6298-u9c]

Mine is the positive to negative to positive arc 😂

[@nonyabizness956]

The more I watch your videos the more I realize why Avatar Last Airbender has been my favorite story of all time for over a decade. Azula chooses the wrong thing every time without fail and meets a bitterly sad end in the story and directly opposing her, Zuko eventually stops believing the lie and completes the redemption arc we were all aching for the whole time and it's so very satisfying to see them battle it out in the final episode because of that. I need to go watch the show again LOL 😂

[@Plumpus3545]

Fax

[@AisyahHeartly]

Facts

[@blossoming190]

ATLA is indeed the best story of all time (for me). It literally has everything. The best character development, the best pacing, world building, dynamic characters list, a plot that isn't too dark nor too light. There's friendship, family, romance, betrayal, death, redemption, culture, and world issues like war, sexism, poverty, bullying, manipulation, hypnotism, and more. Almost all themes that matter in life are there. It's amazing they have weaved everything in one show.

[@bloxworld2847]

I got my friends into ATLA and they said it's one of the best and most well-written shows they'e ever watched. I 100% agree.

[@FreelanceProtagonist]

Great timing! I’m working on a negative character arc for a side character right now. This couldn’t have come at a better time.

[@symmoneg]

So I just decided I 100% now have a disillusionment arc. For years, now, I'm tried to make my MC have a positive character arc but make a sacrifice at the end of the book, but now I realize the reason I've been struggling soooo much with this is because it doesn't reconcile with her or the rest of the novel. So disillusionment it is. She discovers a tinted view of the truth and just can't handle it (then decides she "might as well sacrifice" herself as well). RIP MC 😭😭😭I'm so, so sorry it had to be this way, ilysm

[@yourlocal7472]

"Realistically optimistic" - *Abbie is Dr. Carl confirmed*

[@dhenderson319]

I would say i am realistically pessimistic

[@akgwriting9481]

A optimist realist is me

[@sarahanncools960]

We all just need to be Westons lol 😍😏 #realisticallyoptimistic Just finished rereading 100 Days Of Sunlight and I was reading it out loud with my husband and booooi let me tell you, it's a challenge reading out load when your throat is so tight from holding back tears from ALL the emotions! @abbieemmons you're a writing genius and I have great respect for you 💛😊

[@rowan404]

As someone who brags about being a pessimist and insists that consciously deciding to be pessimistic is the best way to get through life, it has come to my attention that I may have experienced a disillusionment arc, likely caused by my extensive trauma.

[@SasskiF]

I see in this comment the begging game of a redemption arch! Happy for you!!

[@Snoozelightable]

Thank you so much. I’ve never considered writing in any other way than I have since I was 14. Never even knew that there was such thing as a pantser and a plotter. Your outlines and explanations really are helping me so much! Keep up the kind work, it is really bringing the big writing monster to a palatable level to encourage people to put in the work.

[@fayz-dayz]

I was literally writing out my character arcs and discovered negative arcs. Right on time. Great video Abby!

[@craigbob7734]

3:22 wow! Thank you for this. I was skeptical that my protagonist was on a negative character arc because there wasn't a lie she accepted, rather she repeatedly learns and accepts harsh truths. She doesn't react to these revelations by changing the world, or herself for the better, ( she explicitly avoids trying to change the world ) but by bending, avoiding, exploiting, and ignoring the rules. She is on a negative character by continually leaning further towards pessimism.

[@genzmangaka8355]

Honestly didn’t know what a negative character arc was. Watched the video and it’s describing my main character’s arc XD

[@Jackfrom1497]

Magical timing!! My protagonist gets a negative character arc... I didn't know how to execute it. Now I do. Thank you!!

[@taytaythehufflepuff8532]

I wasn’t needing this, but I got SUPER EXCITED to see this video in my notifications! Now I’m going to have to come up with an antagonist...

[@wrigleyextra11]

This is illuminating thanks. Working on an antagonist that trades one lie for another and feels justified because of it as they think they've changed for the better. This just helped me structure it. Really needed this.

[@lesleyblackvelvet5802]

Disillusionment - Eren from AOT (If we kill our enemies out there, will we finally be free?) Corruption - Anakin from Star Wars Fall - Lelouch from Code Geass

[@OGrupxe]

Eren fits into Fall, aswell

[@sabershenanigans]

Anakin falls into all three - he becomes disillusioned with the attachment-free philosophy of the Jedi Order, is corrupted (very deliberately) by Sidious, and Falls, losing everything - including Padme - as a result of his fear of losing Padme and willingness to do anything, no matter how terrible, if he can gain power over death.

[@hosannacooper4989]

Perfect timing! I was just wishing to myself the past week or so that you would have a negative character arc video, as that is what I’m currently struggling with. Thank you!

[@yarnwaves6123]

I so appreciate your insights and intelligence brought to the writing task. You are a true creative, not just because of your reflections, but your generosity - these programs take a lot of effort! Thank you.

[@NotNotTick]

Abby knows that a single writer is watching the video so she says "friend" but yeah it makes me happy to picture a group of writer friends just watching stuff together. Or like in a class. That sounds adorable

[@Aponea3]

When you realize your MC is an anti-hero with a negative character arc...

[@raftheconfusedbean5010]

My favourite example of this is Theon Greyjoy, he has all of these steps. He had the potential to be good at the start, and had a fear based choice of going to see his father. Game changing point, when he went to his father's side. This led to his acceptance of a lie, with going to Winterfell and burning the two farm boys. And finally he had his tragic end, being captured and tortured by Ramsay Bolton and he was destroyed.

[@BudderChezMC]

Abbie Your videos have really helped me in creating my stories. Lately I've thought that all of my stories have been pointless and there's no point. But everytime I watch your videos I realize my story can matter :) I learn so much from you every time!!

[@sarast7768]

Today I was writing character profile for my new novel and I thought to myself: "It would be so useful if Abbie made negative character arc video". And bam here you are! Wow!!

[@alayamcgill7166]

Your positive energy and passion is SO inspiring as a writer!! 😁

[@sejreads626]

I'm just outlining a project with a negative character arc so this is perfect timing!

[@Spark_is_right_here]

I got the “realistically optimistic” reference. Nice Touch! And thanks for the great video!

[@mirandaosmelak480]

It rang the bell for me, but I couldn't quite catch it. What was it?

[@Spark_is_right_here]

@Miranda Osmelak A good old reference to 100 Days of Sunlight!

[@mirandaosmelak480]

@@Spark_is_right_here thank you:)

[@newtoatheism5968]

What you described is exactly what my “villain” goes through

[@simelly_6813]

Please please please could you give more examples. I don’t necessarily mean from a book or a movie (although they are also helpful). Even just giving a brief, random example helps my brain to understand. I often have to rewatch these videos over and over to understand them properly :)

[@Amy_Mi6]

Ooo, I'm diggin' the soundtrack.

[@fiasomething]

i realized that the only difference between a positive and a negative character arc is whether or not you agree with the opinion that the character arrives to at the end

[@jamesthorpe4843]

I have some counter points to yours (1) a character doesn't have to be in a state of disbelief at the beginning they can be positive at first and naive (2) the character doesn't always have to embrace a lie they have seen the truth and they're acting on that so the character can be evil but still have a point they might be twisted but still right in someway

[@blacktee31]

Please do "How to analyze stories and Learn from them" next.

[@noonebossesthegarnet2890]

I’d honestly kill for this lmao

[@sadieclem5394]

Woah I finally caught up to the current video!! This series is incredible Abbie, it's making the three act story structure make so much more sense! Thank you!

[@lylaiscooler]

Im only 11 and working on a dystopian with the main character having a negative character arc. This video helped a lot! I was thinking that the arc I made was a little cartoonish.

[@nacholibrefan2]

you’re awesome! I’m sure your story will be great! keep writing :)

[@lylaiscooler]

@@nacholibrefan2 Thank you!

[@hedgehogz_rockz9325]

Ooh. Main character with a negative character arc. Now THAT has potential.

[@lylaiscooler]

@@hedgehogz_rockz9325 Thank you! I’ve been working really hard on it to make sure it has potential

[@wesleyjarboe9571]

Optimist: The cup is half full. Pessimist: The cup is half empty. Realist: The cup can be refilled. Opportunist: I drank it. Nurse: What happened to my urine speciment? ---- A pessimist sees the dark tunnel. An optimist sees a light at the end of the tunnel. A realist sees a train coming. The engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks.

[@Tait-pn3yz]

Lol

[@marcioventura3135]

I'm so glad that the corruption story I'm writting starts with an already conflicted character. Now that I watched your video, I'm more confident! Thank you

[@Thebookishcousin]

Now you got me thinking if I should give my negative character an arc

[@Epiloguers]

That's right, someone who undergoes a negative arc is a conflicted person. That same conflict is also a great set up for a redemption or for any great positive arc. However, I think that one can also be completely on the good or the bad side and still undergo a negative or positive arc. Although that is something more difficult to achieve and needs a longer story in order to be successful & believable. However, it still aligns with your arguments in the video, as it does indeed need to go from his extreme belief to a conflicted state and then the ultimate change. This video was a great analysis. We've been fans of your channel for a long time now. Keep it up!

[@pratikjadhav5300]

Hi Abbie, I'm a big fan of yours. I have recently published my debut novel and I dedicate it to you. You have been the reason why I was able to pull off this novel. You have no clue how I feel saying this but I have goosebumps at the moment. Really really thank you. I don't know what I would have done if I had not come against your videos. Really really fantastic job. Thank you so much. Gratitude.

[@MrZkoki]

Hi Abbie. My favorite negative character arcs from modern times are Anakin Skywalker's, Walter White's and from ancient Greek mythology Ajax, who out of false pride committed suicide and he told his beautiful wife, not to deter him from his decision. He said to her, no jewel more precious on a woman than silence. Very dramatic dialogue, if you ask me.

[@alonebean769]

I'VE WAITED FOR THIS SO LONG!!!!! THANK YOU ABBIE!!!!!! 💛💛💛

[@mysticmoon7]

SAME HERE🎉💛

[@godhathirumalaianandanpill3140]

I've been waiting for this video for a really long time! Thank you!

[@cottagestoryteller]

Oof you know when she says to grab a notebook things get real!

[@ernestosolorzano7846]

Your way off explaining is great,and mind opening. I can take a three word comment and write three pages of what i perceive from those three words. Listening to your explanations wake up things in my mind. And even though you are teaching about writing books. You can use some or all of you teachings in real life. Or at least you can recognize symptoms in others. My mission is to write books not to try and figure out whats in peoples minds. But it wakes up my mind towards something for a new character and plot. Thanks.

[@theresakidd]

Girl, I must admit, at first I hated you because I was like, what authortuber runs ads? But I was wrong. You provide so much help for writers. Love you and subscribed now. Keep doing good! 👍

[@devind01]

Yes I’ve been waiting for this !!! Thank you Abbie!

[@giovannidavidbrown]

You are the most insightful storytelling teacher I have found, keep doing this!

[@johntabler349]

I don't generally enjoy negative character arc stories although I recognize the value and potential as a storytelling device and I see how it can be used to make antagonist more interesting, I'm also curious to her the authors view on combining negative story arc and a redemption story

[@hryghped]

Great video and good timing too! I'm just about to start planning something new where the protagonist has a negative Character arc, can't wait to see next week's video for some examples. In the meantime this will really help me get some of those plot points sorted.

[@happyfellowship4291]

Is it just me or is that intro lookin even snappier this year??? 🔥🔥 And, Abbiee, your hair is goregeous!!!!! Love!!!

[@stevenpip7339]

one example of a negative character arc that i recently saw was for robbie keene on cobra kai (really awesome show, btw). robbie was already a troubled kid from the start of the show (high school drop out and petty thief, on top of hating his dad for not being around) but in season 2 he had found a mentor figure who became a father figure to him. but then robbie kicked his rival over a balcony and put him in a coma, forcing him to go on the run. in season 3, his father figure turned robbie over to the police so that robbie could get his life back together the legal way, but he saw this as a betrayal and shunned his father figure from then on. while in jail, he was visited by the antagonist who told him that he doesnt belong in jail and encouraged him to embrace his aggression. thus the antagonist became his new father figure and when he was released from jail he soon found himself joining forces with him. how this will turn out for him in season 4 remains to be seen, so we dont have the tragic end just yet. but so far we do have the conflict (robbie wants a father figure to seek guidance from), the fear based choice (rejecting his dad and mentor and seeing them both as failures), the game-changer (meeting the antagonist), and the acceptance of the lie (robbie takes the antagonist's advice to heart and joins his side).

[@lucygoodwriter]

This inspired me to think about using this as a the character arc for one of my main character's parents' plots. (Confusing, I know!)

[@strawberri2425]

I write YA books with light romances and positive character arcs. I do not write negative character arcs. But this is still a great video. Abbie is so engaging and fun to listen to.

[@jge8144]

Out of curiosity, why don't you write neg. character arcs?

[@strawberri2425]

@@jge8144 I'm not against them, they just wouldn't fit in with what I write.

[@DavidLewis-v4m]

I heard "brush with truth" and had to share one of my favorite quotes ever. "Most people brush with the truth all the time. The trouble is that most of them can pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and carry on as if nothing had happened." - Winston Churchill

[@nabilamiah3814]

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR FOREVER

[@newtoatheism5968]

One of my characters has a negative character arch that’s the complete opposite of how my character ends in the novel like parallel opposite storylines super excited

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

Loved the reference to 100 Days of Sunlight.

[@BrookeRooney]

Omg I've always called myself an Optimistic Realist... I'm so thankful I'm not alone! haha

[@annatheawesome1]

One of my MCs is a stubborn rebel of a teen always teasing the possibility of falling into the negative character arc without following through. It would be a good exercise to see where a negative character arc would lead them.

[@trtlphnx]

Love Your Work, You Are My New Hero... Keep up This Good Work, Sweetie!!!

[@PrestonWillis]

Amazing steps. It was exactly what I needed for my main character.

[@CharlieeWriter]

Ohh this is so great! Especially because this is the arc I am writing right now!

[@juliaherkel8051]

I GOT THE REFERENCE! YEAH WESTON! Awesome video! Looking forward to seeing those case studies :)

[@albadiazr]

Today is the first day I don't come from the future and can't click the link on the top

[@heartlandauthor]

Abbie, I've started watching your videos recently, and, honestly, I am reconsidering whether or not to continue producing my own AuthorTube videos, since yours are so awesome and informative!

[@pratinavp]

Michael Corleone from "THE GODFATHER", at least in the first film, is a great example of the corruption arc. I've seen a video from studio binder where they explain how it is written beautifully through the story and script. I recommend anybody trying to write a negative character arc or a corruption arc specifically, to go watch the film and to watch the video by studio binder. It gives amazing insights.

[@e_mmmme]

Best channel to discover during Pandemic 🖤

[@addisonroberts1858]

YAS ABBIE! SLAY! Can you do a revision and editing series...and then a publishing / business side of things series! Thanks love ya ! 💕

[@onwingsoflove3626]

LOVE this. Super helpful and exactly what I needed!

[@soiammagenta]

"Being realistically optimistic" "There's no such thing" 😂 100 Days of Sunlight!

[@chazer8057]

Awesome! I'm currently writing a one for my game and this will certainly help! Thank you very much!

[@Con9f9hoy]

Happy New Year sister! I find your vlog useful and sharp. Thank you!

[@cosmicprison9819]

"Is the truth tragic?" Well, given that life enables suffering where there used to be none, I for one think the truth of the inevitable eventual extinction of all life is a good reason to be optimistic - but somehow most people don't seem to agree with me... 😁

[@Amelia_PC]

They're great tips for writing Noir, and Neo-noir. Thank you!

[@GerSan1979]

The Witch is an amazing negative character arc

[@goso03]

YAAAS! Abbie finally turned to the dark side!

[@georginakosi5411]

I just realized...we - the authors - are the REAL creator of their destiny, since we make them choose the wrong thing. You might love them as real people, but they're still fictional. And I just shattered many hearts bc of Tessa and Weston...with my sentence before this one😂😂😂 And am I the only one who takes at least 3-page long word.docx notes and prints it off for Autumn? Tell me I'm not alone...xd

[@Shadow9841]

"But can they go from negative to po-" Proceeds to explain that exact question. "....... No more questions."

[@AndrewWatson401]

Favorite negative character arcs: Breaking Bad and Macbeth. Shakespeare is the greatest negative arc writer I know. He really liked his tragedy. Quite the trope-hound, that Willy S.

[@joshuadunn1657]

One of my favorite negative arc characters is the one portrayed by Michael Douglas in Falling Down. It’s just one bad turn after another even though he could choose differently.

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

This video was very helpful! Thank you for making it! Have an amazing day!

[@crapshoot]

I guess the fall arc is when the protagonist embraces *their* lie while in corruption and disillusionment arcs, the lie they embrace is a *different* one from the one they believed at the start

[@Izzy-fr1zu]

Hi Abbie, I usually really like your videos and always learn a lot from them, but this time I feel like there's something missing. I think it would be very helpful to explain the topic with some good examples. I'd love to write a story about a main character with a negative arc, but everytime I start to write I feel like the story is to dark and depressing. I have hoped to find some advice on struggles like this, maybe you could make a more in depth video on this topic some day?

[@alejandroruavelasquez9308]

I love these videos! Im addicted to them.

[@Lavender7193]

Dr. horrible sing along blot follows this really well! 7:14

[@MrVlandus]

This was more thought provoking for my books. Thank you

[@anniek1746]

Amazing video! Totally got the reference 🙃💛 And love the new music!!

[@hedgehogz_rockz9325]

Whats up with the passive aggressive smile emoji?

[@anniek1746]

@@hedgehogz_rockz9325 hahah nothing is up to be honest! I just like the emoji and used it without knowing what it meant.

[@poull.sivebaekjensen4058]

Got it, Abbie. 😁😉 However there's one remark worth noting. I'd argue that most writers especially in the past would claim they had to or have to embrace their own pessimistic tendencies to be able to write a compelling story (or in some cases truths). - However I do believe more and more see the light and come to the more positive side of the aile... 😉

[@poull.sivebaekjensen4058]

Secondly there's a plausible arc more than 'the one'. If the negative arc is not spawn from a lie per say but rather the 'de-evolution' of a psykopat. They might and most likely also have a lie based believe system, but not necessarily. Their view of the world however will be disaligned with the rest of the world or they will see things as the rest of the surroundings, but without being able to forego their urges. (Egg. Criminal Minds).

[@thehuudgirl]

My antagonist is usually seen as a cruel selfish king, but behind the surface is his tragic past only he and his wife knows about.

[@autisticdancer]

I am between being an optimist and a realist. I like to look on the bright side in most situations but i also realize that the world isn't always sunshine and rainbows.

[@SamekySantos]

I was watching your video and a thought came to my mind.... Do you apply some kind of structure to your videos to make your viewers hooked (just like you do in your books)? Because I ALWAYS feel hooked watching your videos. They not only help me to write, but they also entertain me a lot.

[@trutrustories5223]

Amazing video!

[@stix.ed1tz]

I developed the entire arc of a character in my book that i haven't even introduced properly yet while watching this video 🧍‍♂️

[@marcogonzalez9673]

Incredibly helpful, thank you

[@mushucatninja2865]

Everyone: takin notes for their future writing careers Me: just trying to write my AO3 fanfic

[@redcactusify2071]

Oh cool, never heard of this before in this professional terms (not a writer myself and don't intend to become one). The first character that comes in mind to me is Dr. Horrible/Billy from Dr Horribles Sing Along Blog. It is only 45 minutes long if I remember correctly, but the main protagonist Dr. Horrible/Billy has a wonderful negativ arc that left me crying so hard

[@marlonjessicaobando6308]

It seems like all three character arcs are the different stages in one bigger negative character arc.

[@taytaythehufflepuff8532]

That’s actually a really interesting point. Maybe that’s how we are to incorporate all these into one like Abbie was saying was possible. I wish my story had a huge antagonist now, but decisions I made it the past have brought me to realize it’s only the characters getting in the way of their own goals. Guess it’s time to write a new story that has nothing to do with my other ones!

[@marlonjessicaobando6308]

@TayTay the Hufflepuff, yes, I have one character who I'm redeeming from his negative character arc and he went through all those stages. They all sound like him. Then I have another character who is the antagonist and he went through the disillusionment arc.

[@elizabethrankin18]

Will you be doing a positive character arc video? That one would be really helpful!

[@JuwanBuchanan]

How to write a redemption arc for your villain if you're planning to redeem them? #Askabbie