Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Conflict

I am non-confrontational.

I hate conflict. I shy away from it. Even in books, if there is a particularly nasty, devious character, I hate them and struggle reading the book.

However, a book without conflict is very boring. And a writer cannot write a book that is all roses. (There is a reason why my nickname is rose.)

Last night at writers' Group I shared my story idea with the group and Sir Kirk-A-Lot kept wondering where the conflict was. I need more conflict and struggle. I need to let my characters fail (even though I never fail). Ha!

So now I have the daunting task of finding conflict, even though I want to stay away.

What I really need though is a great antagonist. My personal antagonist is time. Maybe that is young Mr. Jones' antagonist too.

7 comments:

  1. That's not a bad idea. Just remember that there is plenty in your story to draw from to create conflict. And don't forget that you're gearing it to middle grade which means that you don't have to have layers and layers of it.

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  2. I think we should dub Kirk as Sir Kirk-a-Lot for keeps. He needs a nickname.

    Good luck with the conflict, DJ.

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  3. (from the peanut gallery)

    "Boo! Hiss! That was a terrible joke!"

    I can't help it, Kirk. The peons have spoken.

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  4. I love a little conflict in my life. Nothing like a few drama rousers to keep you on your toes.

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  5. I too am non-confrontational by nature, but I'm a lot happier now that I've learned when confrontation is important. As an experiment, you should get yourself a punching bag and let it rip! Trust me, it feels good.

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  6. Think of the cheesiest movie villain you've seen in a long time, like, for example, the whimpy little 98-pounder they got to play Cobra in G.I. Joe. Think of all his crappy, cliche, repetitive dialogue.

    Now create an antagonist who is that bad, but on top of being so crappy, he DEFENDS his crappiness. It'll only make the reader hate him even more.

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