"The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself." ~Garth Brooks
Without conflict, a story wouldn't be worth reading, or writing. A story needs a protagonist coming up against their worst fear or fiercest enemy. It's about testing their character and moral choices. It's about entertainment. About exploring the human condition. Struggle. Most importantly, it's about change and growth.
In order to create meaningful conflict that touches the hearts of our audience, we need to abuse our characters. This doesn't always mean throwing him into battle. It's much more dramatic to figure out what your character is particularly afraid of, the more unconventional the better, and make him face it. What's the most important thing in the world to him? Threaten to take it away and watch what he does.
Types of conflict
Inner conflict: The character struggles with what they want and what they must do, right and wrong, personal gain and spiritual devotion, etc.
Relational conflict: The character struggles with another person.
Social conflict: The character struggle with a group.
Environmental conflict: The character struggles the elements or wildlife.
No matter what type of conflict a story has, the stakes must be high. The outcome has to mean everything to the character.
Conflicts for the writer
As writers we face conflicts at every step of story creation. Every detail requires us to make decisions, some more difficult than others. When we come across something that really has us stumped, there are a few things we can do to help us make the right choices.
Relax: Nothing blocks creativity more than stress.
Without conflict, a story wouldn't be worth reading, or writing. A story needs a protagonist coming up against their worst fear or fiercest enemy. It's about testing their character and moral choices. It's about entertainment. About exploring the human condition. Struggle. Most importantly, it's about change and growth.
In order to create meaningful conflict that touches the hearts of our audience, we need to abuse our characters. This doesn't always mean throwing him into battle. It's much more dramatic to figure out what your character is particularly afraid of, the more unconventional the better, and make him face it. What's the most important thing in the world to him? Threaten to take it away and watch what he does.
Types of conflict
Inner conflict: The character struggles with what they want and what they must do, right and wrong, personal gain and spiritual devotion, etc.
Relational conflict: The character struggles with another person.
Social conflict: The character struggle with a group.
Environmental conflict: The character struggles the elements or wildlife.
No matter what type of conflict a story has, the stakes must be high. The outcome has to mean everything to the character.
Conflicts for the writer
As writers we face conflicts at every step of story creation. Every detail requires us to make decisions, some more difficult than others. When we come across something that really has us stumped, there are a few things we can do to help us make the right choices.
Relax: Nothing blocks creativity more than stress.
Tomorrow's post - Dramatic dialogue
Wow!! these are some wonderful pointers and tips when creating a conflict in our stories! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shilpa!
DeleteHi Heidi. You are about to get an idea how much these post mean to me. I have waited and wasted a long time for this kind of guidance in my writing. - I've copied and pasted your conflict description on the front page of my first draft - so I can refer to it = it's exactly what I need to join some dots
ReplyDeleteThanks
Thanks Ida! That means a lot. :)
DeleteYour blog is going to become a reference point for me whenever I am stuck. Thank you for simplifying it so.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you find it useful! Thanks for the comment. :)
DeleteSo true Heidi. I always struggle with multiple versions of the same situation when I write. These tips are useful. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
DeleteTrue
ReplyDeleteconflicts are much needed fr a writer .
Good to know u Heidi
Good to know you, too! Thanks for the comment. :)
DeleteWow such a helpful post just when I am thinking of starting that book of mine :)
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful! Good luck with your book. :)
DeleteGreat topic for the A to Z--one I am enjoying and finding very useful! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteHa! I liked your segregating the conflicts of characters from those of authors. The struggle with attention span and checking Twitter seem key points these days.
ReplyDeleteYes, fb and twitter are both time obstacles for me. It's all about balance.
Deletegreat post, though I find thinking about a writing problem before going to sleep leads to not going to sleep.
ReplyDeleteHa! You sound like me, although thinking at all before going to sleep keeps me awake, so I might as well think about a story problem. ;)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteExercise is a must. I always find that after doing so, my brain works so much better. Looking forward to tomorrow's post!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Kathy. When I don't get enough exercise I'm tired and foggy. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDelete