Conflict In Storytelling

In any form of creative writing, one of the main things that will make or break the story is the CONFLICT of the piece. Conflict is the basis for any situation in a story line. There are seven steps a writer can accomplish this by:

1. Exposition - This is giving information about the background. Background is considered anything that explains what the characters are all about. What has brought them to this point, what has gone on before, and on the setting of the story (background information).
2. Inciting Force - This is the spark that starts the story. For example if you are writing a short story about a cop, the inciting force behind it could be in your opening (look at it like a book review; this is the analysis of the piece. ): Officer Jones was forced to shoot the young man coming out of the Easy Mart. This gives you the opportunity to go into the facts of why the officer had to shoot the subject. The spark!
3. Rising Action - This is the complications or implications for the plot of the story. As Holmes would say, "The plot thickens." This is the part of the story that you get into to make the story line come alive with action, and that action moves the characters and events toward your conclusion.
4. Crisis - This is the turning point in your story. This allows you to move your story in any direction you wish. Where you want it to go.
5. Climax - This is the point in your tale that is the high point in the storytelling. Either emotionally or intellectually.
6. Falling Action - This is the unraveling of the plot. This is where all of the elements for your story come together to lead it to the ending. It is generally shorter than the rising action. Much shorter.
7. Conclusion - This, of course, is the outcome of the story. This is where all of the background, exciting force, action, crisis, climax, and falling action come together to form a cohesive whole. What happened? Who did what? How did it end? DID it end?

When a writer starts any piece, they have to decide what each character will be, either a major, or minor part of the action. For every character is either a major character or minor character.

A major character is necessary to the plot of the story; they help to move your story to its ending. They are usually very Dynamic. He/she will grow and develop as the story moves. They will add dimension to the story line and to themselves as well.

Minor characters are like a supporting cast member in a movie. His/her role is usually to do something to move your story along, rather than to BE something that takes your story line to its conclusion. In many cases, a minor character will not make it to the conclusion of your piece. He/she is not necessarily a major factor in getting your story to reach it's end. You could call this your Watson of the piece. Holmes uses Watson to come to his conclusions, but he is not an integral part to get there. These characterizations are Static in nature, never growing or developing, you know from the beginning they will be what they are to the end.

All characters are either round or flat.

A round character is one which projects the illusion of reality. They are believable and whole. Each part of the character comes across as real and to the point. They are fully developed in background information as well as an inciting force of the story.

A flat character is not fully drawn on the page. They are seen and understood, and believable, but they do not fully capture one's attention. They do not necessarily have to go all the way to the end to make them come alive. Flat characters tend to be minor characterizations. Although they are a part of the story, they are only a minor part of the story line.

Remember that these are only descriptive terms for your characters, not value judgments. If you keep your characters throughout your piece, generally they would be considered a major characterization. But if you were to kill one off, stop them from going to the end, they would generally be minor characterizations.

But in all of your endeavors as a writer, there is one thing which is most important: Have fun with it. Just remember, if you don't like what you are writing about, and don't have passion for your work, no one else will either. Everybody has different tastes, and different ideas for writing, you won't be able to please everybody. But you will capture an audience that likes what you do, if you enjoy what you write, and love what you do. Your creativity and passion for your work will shine through the murky depths of the author's world.

As always, Happy writing!