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Conflict is everywhere, but in storytelling it’s essential. Without it you have no movement, no challenge, and, ultimately, no story. This isn’t just about physical confrontations; it’s about creating challenges that force your characters to evolve.
Conflicts are the backbone, the lifeblood, the universal engine that drive any narrative. Throughout history, conflict has been the driving force behind storytelling. From the earliest cave paintings depicting battles between human and beast, to epic tales like the Bible’s conflict between God and Satan, to modern sagas like the Star Wars rebellion against the Galactic Empire, conflict forms the core of good storytelling.
Knowing your characters’ motivations, their fears, and what they really want is key to writing believable conflicts that stem naturally from who they are. When your character’s behaviors are consistent with their personality, even in crisis, they resonate with readers who want to invest in their journey. By exploring their inner struggles, you can create conflicts that challenge them, and force them to evolve. Frodo Baggins is a prime example of this. Despite the immense burden of bearing the One Ring and the constant temptation to use it for his own gain, he remains steadfast in his mission to destroy it. Even when faced with the overwhelming challenges involved, his unwavering commitment to doing what is right ultimately resolves in victory.
Therefore, conflict is essential for character development whether internal or external. These challenges compel characters to make the tough decisions, thereby showing us their true nature and priorities. As characters navigate the tumultuous waters of conflict, they emerge transformed, their development driven by the choices they’ve made in response to adversity. This evolution reflects the impact of conflict on their growth, illustrating how their struggles are instrumental in shaping their identities and destinies. Thus, conflict isn’t just an obstacle to be overcome, it’s a catalyst for change.
Understanding internal and external conflicts is crucial for authors. An internal conflict occurs within them and often reflects a deeper moral or psychological battle. For example, in the ‘Death by’ series, protagonist Samantha Harris doesn’t experience the guilt that one might expect over the many lives she’s taken; it’s that very fact, a lack of remorse, that bothers her. Or Anakin Skywalker’s internal struggle between the light side and dark side of the Force. Internal conflicts are often unspoken or shared subtly, yet they profoundly influence a character’s actions and decisions, revealing their complexities and true nature.
External conflicts involve obstacles outside of your character. These struggles not only build suspense and tension, such as when a protagonist is pitted against an antagonist in a direct confrontation, but they also promote character growth as they learn to adapt, make difficult choices, and discover new strengths. Reflect on how Frodo’s perilous journey transforms him and he emerges a braver, wiser, and more selfless hobbit, or how Katniss’s fight for survival in the Hunger Games pushes her to evolve into a skilled, compassionate, and rebellious force against the Capitol.
The most compelling stories often weave internal and external conflicts together. This interplay not only enhances the depth of the narrative but also mirrors real-life complexities where personal struggles are often influenced by external factors, such as in, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, where Scout Finch struggles with her own beliefs about race while her father defends a black man in a racist town.
Regardless of your story’s conflict, it’s important to establish high stakes. Give your characters something significant to lose, something that makes their struggle and choices more impactful. When characters face significant potential losses, their actions and decisions become more consequential, heightening the conflict and drawing readers further into your narrative. These stakes might involve personal sacrifices, like jeopardizing relationships or abandoning dreams, or even life-or-death situations where survival hangs in the balance. By raising the stakes, you create a sense of urgency and emotional investment, making your characters’ journey and the story’s resolution all the more meaningful.
Additionally, an adept storyteller must master the art of escalating conflict and regulating pacing to craft a compelling narrative. Conflict escalation is a vital aspect of storytelling that effectively builds tension and sustains reader interest. It needs to be gradual, each stage intensifying the problem. Pacing is equally significant as it dictates the speed and rhythm of your narrative. Proper pacing strikes a balance between action and reflection, and prevents overwhelming, or under-stimulating, your readers.
Another crucial role in narratives is turning points. These alter the course of the conflict and generate intrigue that pushes the story towards its climax. Think of when Frodo decided to break away from the Fellowship and continue the journey to Mordor alone with Sam and how this decision drastically altered the course of the story. These pivotal moments in the plot shift the balance, often surprising the reader, but also intensifying the unfolding drama.
Your story’s climax is the culmination of these turning points where tension reaches its peak, leading to the ultimate resolution of the conflict. It’s at this climax where the stakes are highest and the outcomes of the characters’ decisions are revealed to provide a satisfying or a thought-provoking resolution.
Crafting conflict is the heartbeat of every story. Conflict’s true power here lies in its ability to take the audience on a transformative journey alongside the protagonists. As you embark on your writing journey, always remember to embrace conflict as a tool for character development and thematic exploration. In doing so, you’ll be well on your way to crafting captivating and powerful narratives.
~Dani
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