You Tryin’ To Start Something?!

Not many people like conflict, but it’s hard to avoid it. From the ongoing conflicts around the world that pit country against country to conflict as basic as two shoppers wanting the same position in the grocery store checkout line, conflict is all around us.

While we may want to avoid it in our personal lives, conflict is exactly what we should be filling our novels with. A story without conflict is boring. Who wants to read about characters that never have any problems? That never have to struggle or work to overcome difficulties? Not me. I want my characters to suffer, so I can rejoice with them when they figure a way out of their troubles. I find tremendous satisfaction in seeing my characters finally overcome the worst disaster in their lives.

To help you put some obstacles in front of your character here are some links on conflict:

What is Conflict? by Caro Clarke

For Successful Fiction, Add Conflict — Twice by Laura Backes
This focuses on conflict in children’s fiction, but it applies to all other kinds as well.

Conflict Plot Plan by Adrianne Lee
A handy chart example showing how to plan your conflicts.

Conflict Test by Kathleen O’Reilly
A quick test to determine if you’ve got the right amount of conflict in your story.

External Conflict Worksheet by Alicia Rasley
An exercise that walks you through creating and shaping your conflict for maximum effect.

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