Conflict is the mechanism by which writers plunge the MC into the deep end of the pool and then continue to dunk him/her when they come up for air. Until finally, they are given the choice to sink or swim - life vest optional.
Definition (Encarta Online Dictionary):
1. military war: warfare between opposing forces, especially a prolonged and bitter but sporadic struggle
news that the conflict had reached the outskirts of the capital
2. difference: a disagreement or clash between ideas, principles, or people
3. psychology mental struggle: a psychological state resulting from the often unconscious opposition between simultaneous but incompatible desires, needs, drives, or impulses
4. literature plot tension: opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot
news that the conflict had reached the outskirts of the capital
2. difference: a disagreement or clash between ideas, principles, or people
3. psychology mental struggle: a psychological state resulting from the often unconscious opposition between simultaneous but incompatible desires, needs, drives, or impulses
4. literature plot tension: opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot
Novel Conflict
Internal – self; a growth arc regardless of resolution – overcoming internal hurt – Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Relationship – others; antagonist; forces internal change in MC – The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Social – group; ideas, practices, customs – The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Survival – fatalism; weather, starvation, animals – Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Situation – MCs problems revolve around interests, ambitions, situations of others in direct relation to MC; place/plot; used to grow conflict – Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Natural World – think plagues of Egypt – Plague War by Jeff Carlson
God – good & evil; Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Resources:
Elizabeth Richards – Feb 20, 2008 http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-write-conflict-a45359
Jennifer Henderson – Feb 16, 2010 http://www.suite101.com/content/writing-a-fictional-story-a202635
Leslie Wainger – October 2010 http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/creating-emotional-conflict-and-tension-in-a-roman.html
Happy Writing,
Patti
