Conflict!

Conflict. It’s what makes a story a story…

Today we will look at that thing that will be the kernel of your story — the thing that gives your character more to do than just sit around and look pretty… There are lots of beautiful character studies — or beautiful views of the landscape. But when characters have to react to influences — from inside or outside — then they begin to move through development — they can learn, grow and teach us something.

Elementary:

Again, it’s always best to start by reading what you have already done. Yesterday I got totally caught up in other things — and maybe you did too — so maybe it has been a day. Look again at your character and their setting. Say good morning to your character! Maybe you can offer her some of your breakfast?

Now, it’s time to start giving your character their story. Conflict — that’s the fancy word. But all that means is that your character wants something they can’t have. Or someone wants your character to do something they don’t want to do. Something happens that is going to mean that your character, who has been going along just like any other day, is going to have to do something different!

I bet you can think of lots of things like that. Some people are having trouble finding toilet paper right now. That could make a mess! My son only likes a certain kind of cheese… My daughter doesn’t want to walk the dog! There’s a famous story where a man wakes up to find out that he has become an insect! Can you imagine??

It is also possible that conflict isn’t uncomfortable at all — maybe your character finds something mysterious — like a bracelet that is really beautiful and they want to find out who it belongs to so they can give it back? 

First: Think about something that surprised you yesterday. Write as much as you can about what happened.

Next: It can be a good idea to read a few of your favorite books. Can you find the place where something happens to the main character that they have to react to? 

Now: imagine that you are your character. What do you think might surprise them? What do you think happens that is going to change their whole day — or maybe their whole life?

Middle:

Again, it’s always best to start by reading what you have already done. Yesterday I got totally caught up in other things — and maybe you did too — so maybe it has been a day. Look again at your character and their setting. Say good morning to your character!

Conflict… Something needs to happen to your character today that changes everything. Conflict is a place where the person (or cartoon or animal) you have created will have to overcome an obstacle… face a challenge and change — for the better or worse — forever.

First: Think about your favorite story. Can you identify the conflict? A lot of times there is set up first — or maybe the story dives right in, starting with a mad moment of action. What kinds of conflict are you drawn to in stories? 

Next: Think about a conflict in your own life. When was a time when you were confronted by wanting something you couldn’t have — or when something was asked or required of you that you didn’t know how you would be able to do it?

Maybe you’ve heard about the crazy toilet paper shortage of 2020— some people stocked up way in advance — some people didn’t and ran out. Some people are waiting in line at 6am at CVS in Wellesley on Friday. Some people have 150 rolls in their basement… Do you think this is about toilet paper? Why would toilet paper become crucial? What is it about control that makes us take it out on such strange things?

The situation we find ourselves in might provide lots of good ideas for you — or maybe you want to use your fiction as an escape… yesterday I was walking on the beach and I found a plastic bottle of holy water! Who lost it? What happened as a result? Maybe it was a vampire…

Or a vampire masquerading as a priest…

Ok. What challenge is facing your character?

High School and Beyond:

I think a lot of people start with conflict — but, as I said before, it always starts with character for me. I think it’s pretty easy to look around right now and find plenty of inspiration… For many month I’ve been thinking about the phenomenon of hoarding — who is the person who has 150 rolls of toilet paper today? What are the causes? The ramifications? What is the situation that will force them out of that space? The mother of three who breaks down crying on FB?

Think about what limitation your character has that they will need to grow larger than…

That old adage about problems being gifts — it can be annoying to hear in life, but in the realm of the story it has to be true. Without conflict your character would never have the opportunity to grow. 

Another way I like to think about conflict is before, during and after. What was the thing in the hoarders childhood that created that need? And where will the character go with it?

I suppose growth isn’t the only option… I really hate those stories where one things goes wrong and then everything sort of begins to spiral out of control… maybe I should try that. I think that very often the exercises you are most averse to is where you can learn the most — it is showing you that there is a weak muscle… weakness is a place to build strength!

Here’s another thing I’ve thought about a lot lately — it’s what I need in the writing… I have been working on a very dark novel for quite some time — but I realized several months ago that I didn’t feel like it was the right novel for me for now… I heard a talk by Shonda Rhimes where she talks about the relationship of story to what’s going on in society — how they often need to bounce off of each other rather than reinforce… I am usually a serial killer viewer — and right now I only want to watch Dharma and Greg. Again, just sharing my thoughts to help you think your own!

With love and writing,

Jennifer

A Pen! What for? To see it dance!