Guide to Writing: Chapter 2: Conflict

Where I continue taking the steps of writing in order to create a story. Can I do it?



Conflict is the next most important thing you will need within your story. The conflicts will stop the character's desire from happening. This is what truly drives the story out for the whole length. A broken down car, a misunderstanding which leads to a break up, and a fight are all conflicts that can get in the way of your main character, and other characters as well. So, a good way to start out a story is to start throwing out conflicts that the character can run into that will stop them from achieving their goal. Here, you can go nuts, but continue to keep it clear and simple. It does not need to be a long explanation for what is happening, merely what will happen. The more conflicts you can come up with, the better. It's always easier to cut down on conflict and have too much happening than not enough. Go nuts!

In my example of a man wanting a quiet date:

-flat tire
-broken down car
-restaurant closed
-robbery
-hostage situation
-sewer monsters attack
-girlfriend gets captured
-must save the city from attack
-phone interruption
-money problems

The list can go on and on. Just remember, depending on what kind of story you are thinking of, as the idea for the story will be there, you are just shaping it, the conflict can get goofier and goofier.