Writing Tales, Triumphs, and Tribulations: Writing Conflict

January 12, 2005

Writing Conflict

I've had a couple of fairly profound realizations re writing my novel recently. All of them writer's-book-driven. I swear, it's the one place where "self-help" books are really valuable. A good writing how-to can really galvanize me into action. The one I'm living by this week is "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" by James N. Frey. I bought it because the reviews on Amazon were so glowing, describing it as full of really concrete advice.

And I agree. . . the main epiphany I had last week from the book was regarding conflict. It described the problem of "static conflict," wherein a scene begins with two people who are frustrated and ends at the same level of frustration. The key point here being that conflict must evolve over the course of a novel, as well as in each individual scene. I new this was a problem in my own writing -- I kept saying that my characters were already "too cranky" going into certain scenes. I didn't realize that what this meant was that I had let them do all their getting annoyed with each other off-screen. Instead, the reader needs to witness them growing more frustrated in any given scenario -- start calm and reasonable, move towards conflict. Start placid, move towards joy. Start secure, move towards fear.

Like everything in writing, it's so obvious once you get it. But I totally needed someone to put it into words. . .

Posted by karenceliafox at January 12, 2005 09:33 AM

Comments

I sometimes worry that I'm violating "rules" like these while doing work on my own projects. After getting Donald Maas's WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, I had a complete crisis of confidence about the entire character/plot structure of THE QUILL. In the end, though, I realized that I have to trust my instincts and work through the story as it evolves.

The worry can come later, during revision.

Posted by: James at January 12, 2005 09:48 AM

Yeah, that's a good point -- it's important to know the difference between what's a "rule" someone is trying to force upon you, versus creative ways to solve a problem. The best of the helpful books acknowledge that there are many ways to tackle a problem. And this book in particular, also acknowledges that its giving advice on how to write a very specific type of novel.

It's certainly key to have enough confidence in the way you're writing something to know what's valuable advice versus what's just unhelpful! I think, like everything, you have to go in steps -- when I'm writing wonderfully there's no reason to go outside for help. When I'm stuck, then hey, I pick up a book and sometimes there's just the thing to get me unstuck. . .

Posted by: Karen at January 12, 2005 09:54 AM

I completely understand about going to the writing books when in need of a little direction or even just a smidgen of solid advice. I periodically re-read WRITING THE NOVEL FROM PLOT TO PRINT, by Lawrence Block, because I always feel energized when I'm done. And it helps reacquaint me with the working tools of a successful novelist.

Posted by: James at January 14, 2005 03:33 PM



My newest book will be out in July. Preorder it now -- just click on it, go to Amazon, and help me earn royalties! And you can still buy my last book, The Big Bang Theory. Powered by Movable Type 2.661			« Kyoto! \| Main \| Rewrites » January 12, 2005 Writing Conflict I've had a couple of fairly profound realizations re writing my novel recently. All of them writer's-book-driven. I swear, it's the one place where "self-help" books are really valuable. A good writing how-to can really galvanize me into action. The one I'm living by this week is "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" by James N. Frey. I bought it because the reviews on Amazon were so glowing, describing it as full of really concrete advice. And I agree. . . the main epiphany I had last week from the book was regarding conflict. It described the problem of "static conflict," wherein a scene begins with two people who are frustrated and ends at the same level of frustration. The key point here being that conflict must evolve over the course of a novel, as well as in each individual scene. I new this was a problem in my own writing -- I kept saying that my characters were already "too cranky" going into certain scenes. I didn't realize that what this meant was that I had let them do all their getting annoyed with each other off-screen. Instead, the reader needs to witness them growing more frustrated in any given scenario -- start calm and reasonable, move towards conflict. Start placid, move towards joy. Start secure, move towards fear. Like everything in writing, it's so obvious once you get it. But I totally needed someone to put it into words. . . Posted by karenceliafox at January 12, 2005 09:33 AM Comments I sometimes worry that I'm violating "rules" like these while doing work on my own projects. After getting Donald Maas's WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, I had a complete crisis of confidence about the entire character/plot structure of THE QUILL. In the end, though, I realized that I have to trust my instincts and work through the story as it evolves. The worry can come later, during revision. Posted by: James at January 12, 2005 09:48 AM Yeah, that's a good point -- it's important to know the difference between what's a "rule" someone is trying to force upon you, versus creative ways to solve a problem. The best of the helpful books acknowledge that there are many ways to tackle a problem. And this book in particular, also acknowledges that its giving advice on how to write a very specific type of novel. It's certainly key to have enough confidence in the way you're writing something to know what's valuable advice versus what's just unhelpful! I think, like everything, you have to go in steps -- when I'm writing wonderfully there's no reason to go outside for help. When I'm stuck, then hey, I pick up a book and sometimes there's just the thing to get me unstuck. . . Posted by: Karen at January 12, 2005 09:54 AM I completely understand about going to the writing books when in need of a little direction or even just a smidgen of solid advice. I periodically re-read WRITING THE NOVEL FROM PLOT TO PRINT, by Lawrence Block, because I always feel energized when I'm done. And it helps reacquaint me with the working tools of a successful novelist. Posted by: James at January 14, 2005 03:33 PM The story of a girl trying to write some fiction. Recent Entries Einstein's Birthday Talk Good Editors Crazed Life Back in the Saddle E-mail Access! Japan. . . Writing What You Know Rewrites Writing Conflict Kyoto! Categories Book Writing Business of Writing Craft of Writing Day-to-Day Freelancing Magazine Writing When I'm Being Lame Writing Group Archives March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 October 2003 September 2003 Search Search this site: