{"id":5811,"date":"2023-11-10T16:25:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T16:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/?p=5811"},"modified":"2023-11-10T16:25:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T16:25:32","slug":"writing-your-way-into-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing Your Way Into Conflict"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Conflict is the fuel that keeps the engine of your story running. When we say \u201cconflict,\u201d we are not talking about plot, or rising and falling action, or any part of the story\u2019s structure. Instead, conflict is struggle within a scene. It\u2019s that uncomfortable tension both the characters and the readers can feel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is conflict?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Conflict, in its simplest form, comes from a character wanting something they cannot immediately have. Maybe it\u2019s an opponent working against them, like another boxer in the ring trying to knock them out. It could be an environment keeping a goal out of reach, like a rock face too steep to climb or a river too swift to cross. Or it could be the characters wrestling with their own thoughts and emotions, like being desperate to leave their apartment but paralyzed by a fear of open spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conflict often spurs confrontation where something (or someone) needs to be dominated, defeated, or overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is conflict necessary?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Without conflict, books read more like travelogues, where sightseers recount the picturesque landscape, the good food, or a pleasant stroll by the ocean. To make stories exciting, <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-create-a-compelling-character-in-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character conflict<\/a> is unavoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How your characters attempt to overcome their challenges is what makes your story compelling. And when your characters are under stress, brought on by conflict, they make mistakes, they fail, and they learn lessons that can help them change. So, to ensure a gripping narrative, seek out conflict by adding complications to your characters\u2019 efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s begin a story about a married couple who wants to buy a house. A straightforward complication is that they don\u2019t agree on the type of house to buy, the location, or the price. Maybe they aren\u2019t equal in their desire to buy, with the wife being content to rent while the husband, eager to settle down and start a family, sees this purchase as the last great hurdle before getting pregnant. This disagreement may bubble below the surface until it boils over into arguments. And, when they argue, on the surface, it may be that the house doesn\u2019t have enough bathrooms, but below the surface, they are really arguing about starting a family. The conflict shows us their relationship may be in trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ibex's in conflict - Photo by jean wimmerlin on Unsplash\n\n\n\" class=\"wp-image-5813 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jean-wimmerlin-e1daGOrmkIk-unsplash.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What type of conflicts are there?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are many models for conflict, with disagreements on how many categories and subcategories exist to create the tension your story needs, I prefer to align with Aristotle and stick to the basic three (with updated nomenclature). The only categories I need are <strong>Characters vs. Themselves<\/strong>, <strong>Characters vs. their Environment<\/strong>, and <strong>Characters vs. Others<\/strong>. Using Aristotle\u2019s broad categories helps me simplify the process of selecting quality obstacles to boost conflict for my main characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I like to use the following \u201ceasy button\u201d methods to generate conflict in my initial drafts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set up opposing forces<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first is to set up forces in polar opposition. If your main character is a good person, face them off against something your story paints as pure evil, like a secret society, a government, or that clique of popular kids.\u00a0If your main character is rich, confront them with grifters or shady businesses aiming to steal their money.\u00a0If your main character has a moral code they won\u2019t betray, pit them against enemies with a too-good-to-be-true offer and a take-no-prisoners attitude.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All these examples can generate ready-made tension just by juxtaposing competing world views, moral codes, or socioeconomic standings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take something away<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The second tactic is to take something essential away from the main character and watch them struggle to get it back. It could be as literal as Liam Neeson\u2019s kidnapped daughter in the film TAKEN, or the throne of Japan in the Oscar-winning film THE LAST EMPEROR.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the essential thing is taken away, you are left with perhaps terror and fear, like in the movie ALIEN, or with an immediate risk of eternal damnation in the <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/the-enduring-popularity-of-a-christmas-carol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dickens classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL<\/a>. Ripley\u2019s attempts to reach safety from the alien or Scrooge\u2019s desperate battle to save his own soul are compelling because they are life-and-death struggles with high stakes and tons of conflict in each scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Write a complementary antagonist<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The final \u201ceasy button\u201d tactic is to match your main character with a <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-write-a-truly-memorable-villain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">complementary antagonist<\/a>, a villain who excels at the precise skills needed to undermine your hero\u2019s strengths. Darth Vader vs. Luke Skywalker, Hans Gruber vs. John McClaine, or The Joker vs. Batman are each compelling matchups where both characters are dangerous to each other, making them worthy adversaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Write a memorable villain - Photo by murat esibatir\" class=\"wp-image-4250 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/pexels-murat-esibatir-4355906.jpg 1280w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/768;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These easy button conflicts can serve as powerful tools for writing your way into the real narrative. As you build out the perfect villain, for example, you may discover a new approach that is more compelling, less comic book or on the nose. And feel confident to explore anything that arises in your initial drafting, even if it runs counter to your scripted outline. Conflict must arise from characters, so trust them to tell you when your clever obstacle is or is not threatening something essential, even if you don\u2019t immediately understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When applying Aristotle\u2019s three types of conflict, ask yourself these questions: Should there be a person in this scene to actively work against the main character? Should the environment be hostile to the main character, whether a natural obstacle like a storm or a technology they cannot use or a social pressure making them feel like they don\u2019t belong? Should the main character be showing doubt, timidity, risk aversion, weakness, or any self-inflicted negative thinking?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saying \u201cyes\u201d to conflict scene after scene creates a tense and compelling narrative, a white-knuckled roller coaster, and a page-turner for your lucky readers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conflict is the fuel that keeps the engine of your story running. When we say \u201cconflict,\u201d we are not talking about plot, or rising and falling action, or any part of the story\u2019s structure. Instead, conflict is struggle within a scene. It\u2019s that uncomfortable tension both the characters and the readers can feel.\u00a0 What is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":5812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[67,28],"class_list":["post-5811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing-tips","tag-character-development","tag-writing-tips","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Writing Your Way Into Conflict | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Conflict is the fuel that keeps the engine of your story running. 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Learn how to incorporate conflict into your next project with these tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novlr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-10T16:25:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-11-10T16:25:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/gr-stocks-Iq9SaJezkOE-unsplash.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Arthur Franz IV\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@tiffininnwrites\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Arthur Franz IV\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Arthur Franz IV\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ac072623865b716957682932cfd7039\"},\"headline\":\"Writing Your Way Into Conflict\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-10T16:25:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-10T16:25:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":971,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/gr-stocks-Iq9SaJezkOE-unsplash.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"character development\",\"writing tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/\",\"name\":\"Writing Your Way Into Conflict | The Novlr Reading Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/gr-stocks-Iq9SaJezkOE-unsplash.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-10T16:25:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-10T16:25:32+00:00\",\"description\":\"Conflict is the fuel that keeps the engine of your story running. 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