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Conflict

Every story needs conflict, not just mysteries or thrillers. Romances need conflict, so do Sci-Fi novels, even Humor pieces and Mainstream. Not all of it, in any genre, is physical. Conflict can be psychological, the tug and pull of opposing ideologies, man versus nature, man versus woman, man versus animal, man ... man is contrary, isn't he? As you write, and especially as you re-write, you need to be aware of the conflict in your story. Rarely do authors have to lessen the conflict. Usually, the problem is revving it up. As you work on your story, here are some things to keep in mind: As much as possible, keep the action on stage. As readers, we don't want to be told what happened. We want to see it occur. Whether that conflict is a physical fight, an argument, a debate, sexual tension, or whatever, let us live it along with the characters. Maybe it's hard for you to write about the subject or maybe it's difficult to get the dialogue right ... all the more reason for you to put it on stage. As the story progresses, the problems facing the characters, especially the protagonist, should get tougher and tougher to solve. The tension should wind tighter. The conflict should become more important. Obviously, some problems will be resolved along the way, but don't be too quick to get your protagonist out of trouble. Just when he or she gets out of one situation, put them in another. To do this, look at each scene and ask yourself, what could go wrong here? What is the worst thing that could happen? What would this character NOT want to happen? Then do it. Put your character in an even worse situation. Give him a conflict that he didn't expect. And when he maneuvers his way out of it, do it again, each time upping the stakes. Go through your novel. Make sure every scene has conflict. One way to manage this is to look at each character as an individual, with his or her own story. No matter what the situation, no two people want the same thing. Whether the conflict is overt or hidden, it's there. Conflict doesn’t mean a fight or argument. Each character has an agenda, a backstory that affects the way they talk and think and react. Your novel will also contain more conflict than just what is going on between the protagonist and antagonist. Layer the conflict. Doing that will make your secondary characters more interesting. It will enrich your story, give it depth. Make your story more of a "big" book than just a one-dimensional plot. Build up, spread out, intensify the conflict. Just because your book is Mainstream, don't think it doesn't need or have conflict. Life would be pretty dull without conflict. And life is what you're writing about. 

The late Helen Ginger (1952-2021) was an author, blogger, and the Coordinator of Story Circle Network's Editorial Services and writing coach. She was also a former mermaid. She taught public speaking as well as writing and marketing workshops. Helen was the author of Angel SometimesDismembering the Past, and three books in TSTC Publishing’s TechCareers series.

Comments

  1. That was an inspiring post. I shall go over Chapter One of my first book now because I have always felt it was a bit dull. Perhaps I can introduce some of your ideas and fire it up a bit. Thanks.
    Blessings, Star

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  2. I agree that characters need conflict, but some books make me feel like I've been rode hard and put away wet, so to speak. I like it when books have a rhythm of confict-rest-conflict-rest, to the end. And, of course, the conflicts have to constantly build to the climax. But conflict-conflict-conflict makes me too jittery to enjoy the book.

    http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com

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  3. Helen I love the bit about thinking what your character would must NOT want to happen and then make it happen. I must keep that in mind. Thanks

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  4. Hi Star. Hope it works for you. A little bit of tension or conflict goes a long way.

    I know what you mean, Gayle. Thrillers do that. They barely give you a chance to breathe. That conflict-rest-conflict you describe is often called a roller coaster ride. Thrill, catch your breath, then done you plummet again.

    Lauri, I once co-wrote a book with a friend. She would do a chapter then I would do one. I loved it when I left the protagonist is such a situation that she would call and demand to know how she was supposed to get her out of it. (She always did, though.)

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  5. It's kind of the idea of if anything can go wrong it will. That's what has to happen to our characters.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

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  6. Hi Teresa and Morgan. Sometimes a reader looks at our work and says, this just doesn't do anything for me. Maybe it wasn't their genre or subject matter. Or maybe you the author should check the conflict levels. Are there valleys to rest in, small hills to build anticipation, big mountains to scare the reader, are there ups and downs?

    Thanks everybody (and anyone who comments later tonight, too!). Had fun today hearing from folks I know and meeting some new interesting people, as well.

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  7. This is a great post, Helen. Right now I am on the second draft of my novel and this was something I really needed to work on. Creating enough paranormal tension to balance against the actual physical tension, since it's paranormal romance... Great advice.

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