Creating Conflict in Fiction: Only Trouble Is Interesting

“Conflict is the first encountered and the fundamental element of fiction, necessary because in literature, only trouble is interesting.” —Janet Burroway, WRITING FICTION

In fiction, as in life, trouble comes in many forms. Confrontation. Impossible decisions. Disastrous consequences. Heartbreak. Danger. Anything that interferes with or prevents a character from getting what he or she wants. Without trouble, there’s no story.

One Ring to Rule Them All

Consider J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy trilogy