How To Write The Coming-of-Age Arc

3. Use a unique setting

While the coming-of-age arc can be applied to a variety of settings, using a unique setting can make your story stand out. Consider using a setting that is not often explored in coming-of-age stories, or putting a twist on a familiar setting. For example, instead of a small town, you could set your story in a fantasy world or on a spaceship.

• “Moonlight”: set in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood and explores the experiences of a young black man growing up in poverty
• “The Way Way Back”: set in a beach town and follows a teenage boy who learns valuable life lessons while working at a water park for the summer
• “Stand by Me”: set in rural Oregon and follows four boys on a journey to find a dead body
• “The Spectacular Now”: set in a small town and follows a high school senior who struggles with alcoholism and relationships in his final year of school
• “Moonrise Kingdom”: set on a fictional New England island and follows two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away together

4. Develop supporting characters

The protagonist’s journey is important, but the supporting characters can also play a significant role in the story. Develop well-rounded supporting characters that have their own goals and motivations, and who challenge and support the protagonist in different ways. For example, you could have a mentor character who helps guide the protagonist through their journey, or a love interest who provides emotional support.

• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”: Sam and Patrick serve as mentors and friends to Charlie
• “The Princess Diaries”: Mia’s grandmother and best friend Lilly are both supportive and challenging figures in her life
• “Juno”: Leah, Juno’s best friend, provides emotional support and a sounding board for Juno’s thoughts and feelings
• “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”: Earl, Greg’s friend, helps Greg through his journey of self-discovery and loss
• “The Edge of Seventeen”: Mr. Bruner, Nadine’s teacher and mentor, provides guidance and support when Nadine needs it most
• “Lady Bird”: Sister Sarah Joan, Lady Bird’s guidance counselor, helps Lady Bird realize her potential and encourages her to pursue her dreams
• “Moonlight”: Juan and Teresa serve as surrogate parents and mentors to Chiron throughout his journey

5. Establish the status quo

At the beginning of your story, establish the protagonist’s world and routine.

What is their life like before their journey begins? This helps readers understand the changes the protagonist undergoes as they grow and change.

Here are seven examples of characters and their status quo in coming-of-age movies:

• Charlie in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” – introverted high school freshman struggling with depression
• Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries” – awkward teenage girl living with her mother and grandmother in San Francisco
• Juno MacGuff in “Juno” – sarcastic high school student facing an unplanned pregnancy
• Greg Gaines in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” – socially awkward high school senior who spends most of his time making parodies of classic films
• Nadine Franklin in “The Edge of Seventeen” – angst-ridden high school junior struggling with family and social issues
• Lady Bird McPherson in “Lady Bird” – headstrong high school senior from Sacramento dreaming of a life on the East Coast
• Simon Spier in “Love, Simon” – closeted high school student struggling to come out to his friends and family

6. Introduce a catalyst

Something needs to happen to shake up the protagonist’s world and force them to embark on their journey.

This could be a personal tragedy, a new opportunity, or an unexpected encounter. Whatever it is, it should be significant enough to push the protagonist out of their comfort zone.

Here are a few a catalyst moments:

• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”: Charlie’s friendship with Sam and Patrick
• “The Princess Diaries”: Mia’s discovery that she is a princess
• “Juno”: Juno’s pregnancy
• “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”: Greg’s friendship with Rachel
• “The Edge of Seventeen”: Nadine’s best friend Krista begins dating her older brother
• “Lady Bird”: Lady Bird’s desire to attend college on the East Coast
• “Love, Simon”: Simon’s anonymous email exchange with another closeted student

7. Show the protagonist’s struggle

As the protagonist begins their journey, they will encounter obstacles and challenges.

This is where they will really start to grow and change. Make sure to show the protagonist’s struggle in a way that is realistic and engaging. They should face setbacks and failures, but also have moments of triumph.

• Charlie in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”: struggles with depression, PTSD, and social anxiety
• Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries”: struggles with adjusting to her new royal identity and the responsibilities that come with it
• Juno MacGuff in “Juno”: struggles with the decision to keep or give up her baby, and with the emotional fallout of that decision
• Greg Gaines in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”: struggles with his own mortality, the impending death of his friend, and his fear of intimacy and vulnerability
• Nadine Franklin in “The Edge of Seventeen”: struggles with family and social issues, including the loss of her best friend to her older brother
• Lady Bird McPherson in “Lady Bird”: struggles with her desire to escape her hometown and her strained relationship with her mother
• Simon Spier in “Love, Simon”: struggles with coming out to his friends and family while also trying to discover the identity of his anonymous email pen pal

8. Show the passage of time

The coming-of-age arc typically covers a significant amount of time, from adolescence to young adulthood. Make sure to show the passage of time in a way that feels natural and not rushed. This can be done through changes in the setting, the protagonist’s appearance, and their relationships with others. For example, you could show the protagonist starting high school and then graduating, or starting a new job.

• In “Boyhood,” the film follows the protagonist from age 6 to 18, showing the passage of time through changes in the character’s appearance and the world around him.
• In “The Way Way Back,” the film takes place over the course of one summer, with the protagonist growing and changing through his experiences at the water park and with his family.
• In “Lady Bird,” the film follows the protagonist through her senior year of high school, with the passage of time shown through the changing seasons and the protagonist’s experiences.
• In “Call Me By Your Name,” the film takes place over the course of one summer, with the passage of time shown through changes in the character’s relationships and emotions.
• In “Stand By Me,” the film follows the characters on a journey to find a dead body, with the passage of time shown through their conversations and experiences along the way.

9. Use symbolism

Symbolism is a powerful tool in a coming-of-age story.

Consider using symbols that represent the protagonist’s journey or the themes of the story. For example, you could use a butterfly to represent the protagonist’s transformation, or a key to represent the protagonist’s search for identity.

• In “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” the use of the Rocky Horror Picture Show is a symbol of the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
• In “Dead Poets Society,” the use of poetry is a symbol of the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and rebelling against conformity.
• In “The Breakfast Club,” the use of the different characters’ clothing and possessions is a symbol of their individuality and breaking free from stereotypes.
• In “The Virgin Suicides,” the use of the girls’ collective suicide is a symbol of their struggle with societal pressures and the loss of innocence.
• In “Stand By Me,” the use of the train tracks is a symbol of the boys’ journey and the passage of time.

10. Show the protagonist’s growth

Remember, the coming-of-age arc is all about the protagonist’s growth and transformation.

Make sure to show this growth throughout the story. This can be done through the protagonist’s actions, thoughts, and dialogue. 

By the end of the story, the protagonist should have learned something significant about themselves or the world around them.

This lesson should be tied to the themes of the story and should feel earned based on the protagonist’s journey.

• Ferris Bueller in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”: learns to appreciate the people in his life
• Kat Stratford in “10 Things I Hate About You”: learns to let down her guard and trust others
• Charlie in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”: learns to accept himself and move on from past trauma
• Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries”: learns to embrace her royal identity while staying true to herself
• Juno MacGuff in “Juno”: learns the importance of family and emotional connection
• Greg Gaines in “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”: learns to open up to others and embrace vulnerability
• Nadine Franklin in “The Edge of Seventeen”: learns to appreciate the people in her life and let go of her grudge

By considering these additional tips, you can elevate your coming-of-age story and create a memorable and impactful narrative. Happy writing!