Phase 01 · Novice
Character Arc Alignment
The Want, Lie, and Need nodes that drive change. Click any card to expand. Free to use, no credits.
Module 02
Character Arc Alignment
Want, Lie, Need. The three forces that shape a protagonist's journey.
External Goal
The Want
The tangible objective the protagonist chases (e.g., stopping the threat, getting the promotion).
The trap
Focusing too much on internal thoughts early on without a clear, physical goal.
The check
Does the reader know exactly what the character is fighting for by the end of chapter one?
False Belief
The Lie
The flawed worldview or false belief carried from the past.
The trap
Giving the character a flaw that doesn't affect the plot.
The check
What specific false assumption does the protagonist make that makes their journey harder?
Internal Truth
The Need
The internal truth and transformation required to succeed.
The trap
Making the character's realization come out of nowhere at the end.
The check
What truth must they accept, and how does the climax force that specific choice?