Real linear equation of a line in the complex plane ($\overline{c}z+c\overline{z}+r=0$)

For $c\ne 0$ and real $r$, this equation defines a straight line. Writing $z=x+iy$ and $c=u+iv$ gives $2ux+2vy+r=0$, so $c$ supplies a normal direction. Conversely every real affine line $Ax+By+C=0$ has this representation with $c=(A+iB)/2$ and $r=C$. The condition $c\ne 0$ excludes an empty set or the entire complex plane.