Writing Tip of the Week: A Conversation About Conflict – Part Three
In the last two posts, we discussed various ways conflict should be utilized in a story. We discussed how conflict equals drama and how it drives a story forward. We also explored how conflict keeps our attention, and how it can be large or small depending on the story being told.
Today, we’ll look at two more aspects of conflict. Let’s get started!
Conflict Can Be Internal or External
A main character is a vessel that helps a writer tell a compelling and engaging story. Essentially, they are the stand-in for the reader or viewer as the adventure unfolds, meaning they should be more than just a one-dimensional being. The main character is tasked with completing a goal, dealing with conflict, and evolving by the end of the story.
Their evolution comes from two sources: External and Internal conflict. In a story, both should be linked to one another in some way so that the main character can work on one as they resolve the other.
In Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel Hillard’s divorce and separation from his kids are external conflicts that lead him to become Mrs. Doubtfire so he can be with them. His internal conflict is his struggle to evolve and change from an immature and irresponsible man-child into a competent and trustworthy adult and parent.
Both lead to further conflicts as Daniel becomes a better person, but Mrs. Doubtfire’s presence creates further conflict in his life as his ex-wife refuses to fire the nanny and lets Daniel take the kids after school. These warring factions escalate and lead to the film's climax, with Daniel’s internal and external conflicts colliding. In the end, Daniel has evolved as a person and parent to warrant the time he wanted with his kids, and both the external and internal conflicts have been resolved.
External conflict is essential, but giving your main character an internal conflict to work on and resolve also adds dimension to their character and can make them more relatable to an audience.
Conflict Should Have a Resolution?
Yes, a story's conflict should have a resolution. This doesn’t mean the main character wins, but leaving things open-ended without any conclusion is a surefire way to upset an audience.
A lot has happened since the main character set out on their journey. They’ve evolved as a character, been through many complex challenges that have tested them as a person, and have continued despite setbacks and problems to push toward their goal and get where they need to go. Once they arrive at the final showdown, the big conflict, the major resolution to the problems introduced at the story's beginning, the last thing that should happen is…nothing.
Audiences want that final fight. They crave that moment where the hero and the villain finally are in the ring together to finish things. If this doesn’t occur and the conflict goes unresolved, audiences feel their time has been wasted.
And you never want to be accused of wasting an audience’s time!
In Gladiator, the opposing forces of Maximus (hero) and Commodus (villain) finally get their shot at each other in the literal ring as they battle one-on-one in the Coliseum. Commodus has already dealt Maximus a fatal blow before this final fight, but in the end, both men end up dead, and Maximus is celebrated as the hero that he is.
If the two men didn’t fight, if the movie ended with some random character killing off either character, or if they decided to hug it out and be besties, the established conflict wouldn’t be resolved in a satisfying manner.
Like the scale of the conflict, the resolution should be scaled to match the conflict established between the hero and villain. The resolution in a rom-com will be much different from that in an action movie based on the scale of the conflict.
Final Thoughts
Conflict in a story matters. It’s a key ingredient that keeps the story moving and gives the main character opposition as they work toward their goal. Whether they win or lose, it’s essential that the main character encounters a series of roadblocks, problems, and issues that escalate the conflict and help them evolve as a character.
As you write your stories, consider how to add the appropriate amount of conflict to each scene to propel the story and the main character forward.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
More conflict-based posts are on the way, all throughout the month of May!
Today, we’ll look at two more aspects of conflict. Let’s get started!
Conflict Can Be Internal or External
A main character is a vessel that helps a writer tell a compelling and engaging story. Essentially, they are the stand-in for the reader or viewer as the adventure unfolds, meaning they should be more than just a one-dimensional being. The main character is tasked with completing a goal, dealing with conflict, and evolving by the end of the story.
Their evolution comes from two sources: External and Internal conflict. In a story, both should be linked to one another in some way so that the main character can work on one as they resolve the other.
In Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel Hillard’s divorce and separation from his kids are external conflicts that lead him to become Mrs. Doubtfire so he can be with them. His internal conflict is his struggle to evolve and change from an immature and irresponsible man-child into a competent and trustworthy adult and parent.
Both lead to further conflicts as Daniel becomes a better person, but Mrs. Doubtfire’s presence creates further conflict in his life as his ex-wife refuses to fire the nanny and lets Daniel take the kids after school. These warring factions escalate and lead to the film's climax, with Daniel’s internal and external conflicts colliding. In the end, Daniel has evolved as a person and parent to warrant the time he wanted with his kids, and both the external and internal conflicts have been resolved.
External conflict is essential, but giving your main character an internal conflict to work on and resolve also adds dimension to their character and can make them more relatable to an audience.
Conflict Should Have a Resolution?
Yes, a story's conflict should have a resolution. This doesn’t mean the main character wins, but leaving things open-ended without any conclusion is a surefire way to upset an audience.
A lot has happened since the main character set out on their journey. They’ve evolved as a character, been through many complex challenges that have tested them as a person, and have continued despite setbacks and problems to push toward their goal and get where they need to go. Once they arrive at the final showdown, the big conflict, the major resolution to the problems introduced at the story's beginning, the last thing that should happen is…nothing.
Audiences want that final fight. They crave that moment where the hero and the villain finally are in the ring together to finish things. If this doesn’t occur and the conflict goes unresolved, audiences feel their time has been wasted.
And you never want to be accused of wasting an audience’s time!
In Gladiator, the opposing forces of Maximus (hero) and Commodus (villain) finally get their shot at each other in the literal ring as they battle one-on-one in the Coliseum. Commodus has already dealt Maximus a fatal blow before this final fight, but in the end, both men end up dead, and Maximus is celebrated as the hero that he is.
If the two men didn’t fight, if the movie ended with some random character killing off either character, or if they decided to hug it out and be besties, the established conflict wouldn’t be resolved in a satisfying manner.
Like the scale of the conflict, the resolution should be scaled to match the conflict established between the hero and villain. The resolution in a rom-com will be much different from that in an action movie based on the scale of the conflict.
Final Thoughts
Conflict in a story matters. It’s a key ingredient that keeps the story moving and gives the main character opposition as they work toward their goal. Whether they win or lose, it’s essential that the main character encounters a series of roadblocks, problems, and issues that escalate the conflict and help them evolve as a character.
As you write your stories, consider how to add the appropriate amount of conflict to each scene to propel the story and the main character forward.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
More conflict-based posts are on the way, all throughout the month of May!
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