...or, Why My Story is No Picnic - Mild-mannered writers like me avoid conflict for their characters. Here's why the only ones getting hurt are my readers.
I try to do my best to put conflict in every scene. If nothing else, there is internal conflict, uncertainty about what to do, what to say, etc. Also, I do my best to create potential hazards, some of which the character doesn't know about. Anything that is getting in the way of the character doing whatever he or she is trying to do - or that can potentially get in the way. That can include micro conflicts, like trying to see something that is difficult to see or struggling not to get noticed while eavesdropping. I'm a big believer also in specifying what a character is doing with his or her eyes, breath, and touch - as well as other body parts. Trying to bring the reader not just in the character's mind but into their body as well. Just getting up in the morning or fighting old age is conflict. The body doesn't want to do what it needs to, even if it's just sitting upright.
I like that! Especially the part of bringing the reader into their body.
I'm mostly a "mind" person, so I'm working on connecting with my body (and therefore the characters') better. Plus, so much about the body affects the mind and mood. For example, most people don't particularly enjoy getting rained on, and become miserable if they do. That certainly an internal micro-conflict that could easily spill over into social interactions!
Great reminder, Graham. Thank you. Generally speaking, we all can agree! And remember there are always exceptions. One example being Jan Karon's series of Mitford Stories. Twelve books, ALL best sellers. A simple chronicle of small town life where most everything is a picnic, the largest conflict being, maybe, the local bakery runs out of snicker-doodles. Sometimes readers need to put aside murder, mayhem, angst, deceit, death, lost love, and just rest among good people. ha ha ha! And, as far as Kenny Rogers goes, I defer to him often when trying to finish a piece of fiction and can't find the end. He advised, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run." I usually discover the correct end to my stories when I delete the last two or three paragraphs. Than you, Kenny. I sure enjoy your posts, Graham.
I haven't read the Mitford stories, so I'll have to check that out! "A Room with a View" is a quiet book too -- and one that I love -- and there isn't so much action as much as tension. And, it also has a picnic scene! But even here, Forster is able to add multiple levels of tension with just three characters -- or four, if you count George coming in at the end (which we probably should...)
In any case, yes, Kenny Rogers doled out many pearls of wisdom, didn't he?
Glad to hear you're enjoying these posts -- thanks!
I am guessing that the Mitford Stories are not your cup of tea, Graham. Room with a View, however, is one of my favorites. And yes! George must be counted!
I try to do my best to put conflict in every scene. If nothing else, there is internal conflict, uncertainty about what to do, what to say, etc. Also, I do my best to create potential hazards, some of which the character doesn't know about. Anything that is getting in the way of the character doing whatever he or she is trying to do - or that can potentially get in the way. That can include micro conflicts, like trying to see something that is difficult to see or struggling not to get noticed while eavesdropping. I'm a big believer also in specifying what a character is doing with his or her eyes, breath, and touch - as well as other body parts. Trying to bring the reader not just in the character's mind but into their body as well. Just getting up in the morning or fighting old age is conflict. The body doesn't want to do what it needs to, even if it's just sitting upright.
I like that! Especially the part of bringing the reader into their body.
I'm mostly a "mind" person, so I'm working on connecting with my body (and therefore the characters') better. Plus, so much about the body affects the mind and mood. For example, most people don't particularly enjoy getting rained on, and become miserable if they do. That certainly an internal micro-conflict that could easily spill over into social interactions!
Thanks for the insights!
Great reminder, Graham. Thank you. Generally speaking, we all can agree! And remember there are always exceptions. One example being Jan Karon's series of Mitford Stories. Twelve books, ALL best sellers. A simple chronicle of small town life where most everything is a picnic, the largest conflict being, maybe, the local bakery runs out of snicker-doodles. Sometimes readers need to put aside murder, mayhem, angst, deceit, death, lost love, and just rest among good people. ha ha ha! And, as far as Kenny Rogers goes, I defer to him often when trying to finish a piece of fiction and can't find the end. He advised, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run." I usually discover the correct end to my stories when I delete the last two or three paragraphs. Than you, Kenny. I sure enjoy your posts, Graham.
I haven't read the Mitford stories, so I'll have to check that out! "A Room with a View" is a quiet book too -- and one that I love -- and there isn't so much action as much as tension. And, it also has a picnic scene! But even here, Forster is able to add multiple levels of tension with just three characters -- or four, if you count George coming in at the end (which we probably should...)
In any case, yes, Kenny Rogers doled out many pearls of wisdom, didn't he?
Glad to hear you're enjoying these posts -- thanks!
I am guessing that the Mitford Stories are not your cup of tea, Graham. Room with a View, however, is one of my favorites. And yes! George must be counted!
George always needs to be counted!