Supa Story #6: Building Unforgettable Characters (3)

Relationships: The Key to Emotional Depth

Characters don’t exist in isolation. Their relationships with others — whether allies, opponents, or bystanders — are where the real magic happens. Every great story thrives on these connections.

There are three essential ways relationships serve your story:

1. Revealing Character Traits: Relationships expose who your characters really are.

2. Driving Conflict: Interpersonal dynamics create tension and stakes.

3. Shaping Character Growth: Relationships are often the crucible in which your characters transform.

Example: In Black Panther, T’Challa’s relationship with Killmonger doesn’t just drive the plot; it challenges his views on leadership and Wakanda’s responsibility to the world, leading to his transformation.

Crafting Strong Relationships

To create compelling relationships in your story:

• Define the role of each relationship: Is this person a mentor, rival, friend, or love interest?

• Create a balance of harmony and conflict: Too much agreement is boring; too much conflict is exhausting. A mix keeps things dynamic.

• Tie relationships to your theme: Relationships should reflect or challenge the central theme of your story.

Character Arcs: The Journey of Transformation

A character arc is the internal journey your protagonist (or key characters) undergoes from the beginning to the end of your story. Your character’s desires, needs, and weaknesses come full circle here.

There are three primary types of arcs:

• Positive Arc: The character grows by overcoming their flaws and fulfilling their need. (e.g., Simba in The Lion King reclaims his place as king).

• Negative Arc: The character fails to change and succumbs to their weaknesses. (e.g., Michael Corleone in The Godfather descends into darkness).

• Flat Arc: The character remains steadfast in their values, but transforms those around them. (e.g., Katniss in The Hunger Games inspires change in others while staying true to herself).

Weaving Relationships into the Arc

Relationships and arcs go hand-in-hand. To craft this connection:

• Conflict is key: Use relationships to challenge your character’s worldview.

• Moments of revelation: Let relationships serve as mirrors, reflecting truths your characters might not see on their own.

• Resolution: Tie the growth (or lack of it) in the arc to the outcome of key relationships.

Example: In Frozen, Anna and Elsa’s relationship drives both their arcs. Elsa learns to embrace love instead of fear, while Anna learns selflessness. Their reconciliation is the heart of the story.

🎬 Take-Home Exercise: Character Webs and Arcs

• Build a character web: Write down your protagonist and their key relationships. Identify how each relationship supports or opposes their desires, needs, and weaknesses.

• Define the arc: Map out your protagonist’s journey. What lessons will they learn (or fail to learn), and how do relationships facilitate this transformation?

• Test relationship dynamics: Write a short scene that conflicts your protagonist with another key character. Focus on how this tension reveals their growth (or lack thereof).

• Watch and learn: Choose a movie or show and study how relationships influence character arcs. Can you identify a turning point where a relationship changes the protagonist’s journey?

Next week, we’ll explore how to identify and integrate your story’s core theme in a way that resonates deeply with your audience without feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

Until then, keep building those character webs! The stronger your relationships, the stronger your story.

Yours-in-Storytelling,
Ayobola Eniola,
For Emerge Story Company.

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