Creating Arc of Character

One of the best pieces of advice I had ever been given regarding creating a well-rounded character was to offer each character four questions, which all required a different answer. This works in every genre.

1. What do you HAVE?

2. What do you WANT?

3. What do you NEED?

4. What do you GET?

Each character needs to GROW, and discover what really is important to them in the course of the story.  If the character's desires and needs remain the same, what was the point, for the character to be able to say, "See I was right all along!"

ie. JAWS: Chief Brody

HAVE-Fear of water/Abilities doubted by citizens & himself
WANT-To protect the people of Amity & prove himself
NEED-Overcome Fear of water in order to kill shark
GET-Respect of citizens & himself

It could apply to overcoming a challenge or it may be simply directions in their life. For instance, Doc Hollywood, with Michael J. Fox--"A young doctor on his way across the country to a job interview crashes his car in a small town and is sentenced to work for several days at the town hospital." The doctor's goal is to head to Hollywood for success and fun lifestyle but he ends up falling in love with a small town and its inhabitants, which is the polar opposite of his initial want.

Now consider the main character in your favorite book.  Does she or he have a different answer for each of these questions? Then consider your own characters. It is a great way to make your character well-rounded and of course more interesting!