On Character Progression and Growth

Hello and welcome to my end-of-month newsletter blog post!

You can read last month’s newsletter here.

Following the very loose pattern I decided to set, these posts are a chance for me to update you on my writing projects and write a few words about something to do with stories.

This month, I want to talk briefly about character progression and growth in stories. 

All stories have to have some elements of progression and growth, right? I have yet to read a book where the main character stays stagnant and does not change in some small way from the beginning to the end of the story. I think such a book would ring untrue to us as readers because it wouldn’t be an accurate reflection of life. We’re all changing in small, subtle ways every day. Sometimes we change in dramatic, noticeable ways too. 

Characters don’t tend to change in subtle or small ways. At least, those aren’t the only ways they change in stories. No, their progression and growth tends to be dramatic, visible, and easily seen by the end of their tale. 

What I’ve come to appreciate more and more are the stories where the character starts off with truly unlikeable qualities, traits, and flaws… and then by the end, they’ve come full circle, no longer having those former qualities, traits, and flaws—or perhaps, no longer letting those things dominate their personality and decisions made as a character. They’ve grown. They’ve progressed. 

Yes, such elements are expected in some way in stories. But what that actually looks like for each specific character’s arc and story… That is truly unique. It keeps us guessing as readers.

And I love that.

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Here’s a quick breakdown of July. I’ve still got a lot of irons in the fire, but I’m slowly taking care of business:

The reprint of my short story collection is now live! Can Evil Wizards Make Balloon Animals? And Other Short Stories can be found here. And if you prefer to read on your electronic device, I’m pleased to announce that I’m in the process of putting together an eBook as well. 

Speaking of which… I’m working on creating eBooks for all of my published works and making them available for purchase on Amazon, other major platforms, including Google Books, Apple Books, B&N, and Kobo.

I’m also exploring what it would look like to sell eBooks directly on this site. Here? Yes! More on that coming soon. This is the first step in expanding my offerings on the website. Second and third steps? Print copies in paperback and hardcover, and then audiobooks. But that’s down the road!

I’m putting the final touches on revisions to my theological book, A Christian’s Survival Guide: Wearing God’s Armor Every Day. I’ve got the proof copy in hand and am making sure it looks and reads the way it should. When can you expect it to hit virtual bookstores? I don’t have a definitive date set, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a mid-to-late August release. As always, I’ll send a book release announcement post with info on where you can pick up your copy if you’re interested. 

What else for July? I posted another short story set in the whimsical world of Minz (read it here), and I finished writing the remaining short stories as well. My plan is still to release one a month, but who knows? Maybe I’ll find time to write some other stuff too.

Phew. That’s all for July. On to August. Enjoy the final days of summer by reading a good book or two! 

Until next time,

Al