Sometimes as writing bloggers we are so quick to hand out advice
but this time I need your advice.
I have a confession...
(This is me contemplating confession but I think the priest only speaks French or Arabic)
I am TOO nice!
I need your help with being ruthless.
I need to create more obstacles.
I need conflict to run through my veins.
Any good tips?
Have you done a good post on conflict or do you know of one?
Do you have a favorite craft book that addresses nice people and how to transform them into heartless-push-you-off-a-cliffers?
HELP!
There's a ton of stuff on conflict on Janice Hardy's blog, The other side of the story. She has a nice handy search function too :-)
ReplyDeleteWeird. I had a problem leaving a comment AGAIN. Is it me?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah--Janice Hardy's blog is AMAZING!!! She has a lot of great stuff on conflict that doesn't involve getting blood on your hands.
I'm going to have to check out Janice's blog too. Honestly girl - let dark side in for your writing. Sometimes you have to step outside of who you are and imagine what it's like to be someone you detest. Visualize. Let it sink in and write. :) Good luck! Quit being so sweet ;)
ReplyDeleteSame here about checking out Janice's blog. My problem is being too nice is my hubby hates all the conflict. lol And he's a beta and would be crushed if he couldn't read what I write. I had one hard scene at the beginning of my SciFi book and he was traumatized. He's such a softie!
ReplyDeleteJanice is awesome. Definitely check her out. Also, I did a post on climax that sort of relates (mainly to make sure your conflict doesn't fizzle). It's my all-time most popular post... but I think that's mainly because I included dodgeball pics and everyone likes searching for dogeball pics. ;)
ReplyDeleteLooking around on my google reader I found these ones.
ReplyDeleteKristen Lamb
Hook a reader and never let go
is your novel a spineless weakling?
Antagonists: the alpha and omega
Andrew Jack
Ten things you need to know about writing conflict
Roland D. Yeomans
WOW-when you hit a stone wall.
Shelly Brown, you are nice. And conflict is so hard to write. I'll be looking at those links, too :)
ReplyDeletePeople tell me that I'm one of the nicest guys around. And yet when I sit down at the computer, I have no qualms decapitating puppies or forcing children to eat Limburger, depending on what the story calls for.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know about any "make you meaner" books, but I watch plenty of movies with mean people in them. :)
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ReplyDeleteYou might want to check out my blog. I've been teaching workshops on storytelling for years, all growing from a theory on simple dramatic conflict. I've got an essay on my website about the basics. If you like what you read, shoot me a message on my contact page. If you're interested, check out my website: ClintJohnsonWrites.com.
ReplyDeleteConflict is hard to write, but I love it. It makes the story stronger. I love throwing my characters into situations that they have to get out of. It's super fun! And I'd never say a mean word to anyone in real life! :)
ReplyDeleteYea, I have a hard time writing mean people. I can create conflict, but it's all situational. Mean people? That's hard!
ReplyDelete