Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Crafting conflict

"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. 

Exercise: Studies have shown that when we move our bodies our creativity heightens. I like to take walks in nature because being in the fresh air surrounded by trees helps with relaxation.

Dream: This one might sound strange to some, but it's another one that has studies to back it. If you think about your problem right before you fall asleep, the answer just might reveal itself in a dream.


Tomorrow's post - Dramatic dialogue

21 comments:

  1. Wow!! these are some wonderful pointers and tips when creating a conflict in our stories! Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. Hi 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
    Thanks

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  3. Your blog is going to become a reference point for me whenever I am stuck. Thank you for simplifying it so.

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    1. I'm so glad you find it useful! Thanks for the comment. :)

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  4. So true Heidi. I always struggle with multiple versions of the same situation when I write. These tips are useful. Thank You.

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  5. True
    conflicts are much needed fr a writer .
    Good to know u Heidi

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    1. Good to know you, too! Thanks for the comment. :)

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  6. Wow such a helpful post just when I am thinking of starting that book of mine :)

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    1. That's wonderful! Good luck with your book. :)

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  7. Great topic for the A to Z--one I am enjoying and finding very useful! Thanks!

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    1. I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for the comment!

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  8. Ha! 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.

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    1. Yes, fb and twitter are both time obstacles for me. It's all about balance.

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  9. great post, though I find thinking about a writing problem before going to sleep leads to not going to sleep.

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    1. Ha! 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. ;)

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. Exercise is a must. I always find that after doing so, my brain works so much better. Looking forward to tomorrow's post!

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  12. Me too, Kathy. When I don't get enough exercise I'm tired and foggy. Thanks for the comment!

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