Conflict is a powerful element within the story and can be loosely categorized as either Outer (external) Conflict or Inner (internal) Conflict. The difference is that outer conflict is something external keeping the character from his goal, while inner conflict is a mental struggle over wanting … [Read more...] about How to Uncover Your Character’s Inner Conflict
Search Results for: conflict in every scene
Use Conflict to Target a Character’s Soft Spots
Conflict is a key story ingredient, one we need a lot of, but this doesn't mean quantity is better than quality. Fiction isn’t a video game; waves of bad guys with guns won't keep readers tuned in for long. They expect to see a variety of conflict, including meaningful problems that deepen the … [Read more...] about Use Conflict to Target a Character’s Soft Spots
THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles
A story where the character gets exactly what they want doesn’t make for good reading. But add villainous clashes, lost advantages, power struggles, and menacing threats…well, now we have the makings of a page-turner. Conflict is the golden thread that binds plot to arc, providing the complications, … [Read more...] about THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles
Need Conflict? Just Let Your Characters Talk
Story conflict has many purposes. It provides opportunities for failure and growth, elevates what’s at stake, and escalates emotion for the character and readers. We also know that our stories will need many instances of conflict, both at the story (macro) and scene (micro) level. But how do we know … [Read more...] about Need Conflict? Just Let Your Characters Talk
Activate the Power of Conflict in Your Story
Good news - we've doubled the Conflict Thesaurus at One Stop for Writers, which means double the options when it comes to pumping our scenes with tension and plotting a fresh story! Every story needs conflict and lots of it, so if you need help, check this database out. You'll find over 230 … [Read more...] about Activate the Power of Conflict in Your Story
Scenes vs. Sequels: What’s a Good Balance?
We use the terms scene and sequel for so many definitions when it comes to writing that it can be difficult (not to mention confusing) to discuss Dwight Swain’s ideas of “scenes and sequels” (from his Techniques of the Selling Writer). But if we understand his insights, we can take a deeper look at … [Read more...] about Scenes vs. Sequels: What’s a Good Balance?
Stoking Your Story’s Fire: Three Considerations for Revising Scene by Scene
By David G. Brown The Two Pillars of Storytelling After my first couple years as a fiction editor, I realized that all of my developmental feedback for clients fit into one of two categories. The first is immersion: the quality of a narrative that transports readers to another time and place. … [Read more...] about Stoking Your Story’s Fire: Three Considerations for Revising Scene by Scene
Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds
All right, hands up: What’s the one thing we can’t get enough of in fiction but we avoid like a screaming toddler in real life? Conflict. It's ironic that something we try to avoid in the real world is the very thing we can’t get enough of in books. Psychologically speaking, though, it … [Read more...] about Need Compelling Conflict? Choose A Variety of Kinds
Does Your Story Need More Conflict? Tap this Powerful Source
Conflict is such a versatile storytelling element. Not only will obstacles, adversaries, and stressors keep tension high and readers focused, they also provide characters with valuable opportunities to prove themselves, chances to reexamine what they believe and want, and even failures that teach … [Read more...] about Does Your Story Need More Conflict? Tap this Powerful Source
How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
By Resident Writing Coach Alumni, C. S. Lakin Ever read a scene in a novel, get to the end, and scratch your head? Have you ever asked, “What the heck was the purpose of that scene? Nothing really happened—at least nothing interesting or _____? (important, revealing, tense, or funny … you fill … [Read more...] about How to Nail the Purpose of Your Novel’s Scenes
The Conflict Thesaurus (Volume 1) Master List of Entries
Conflict is a powerful ingredient across all genres and mediums, punching up the pace, cranking up the pressure, and pulling readers into the story. Below are the entries from the first volume of The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles. You can … [Read more...] about The Conflict Thesaurus (Volume 1) Master List of Entries
The Conflict Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Coming
Each year we look forward to this post, the one where we get to spill the beans and introduce to you the next book in our thesaurus series. This one we are so excited about, because no matter what genre and age group you write for, mastering conflict is a must. And this book is going to help you do … [Read more...] about The Conflict Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Coming