Hi Reader!
So sorry for sending out a late newsletter, but I have been in bed with the flu for a week! Ugh! It's been rough and miserable. Today's the first day I'm actually feeling better and not running a fever (yet anyway). I haven't had the flu since I was a little girl but it got me this time.
I hope you're doing well and haven't gotten the flu! (Or anything else that may be going around!)
💡 This Month's Writing Tip
How to Create a Central Conflict in Your Fiction Novel
Conflict and tension are the lifeblood of your story, keeping the plot moving and your readers hooked. Without them, your audience may lose interest. Conflict arises when obstacles stand between your character and their goals, while tension builds the suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. To make your story even more compelling, try these strategies:
✔️ Make sure your main character is relatable.
If your readers can’t root for your main character, it becomes challenging for them to genuinely care about the character’s fate. No amount of conflict or tension can salvage a protagonist who is dull or unlikable. While they need not be flawless, they should also not border on being dreadful.
✔️ Have at least three conflict levels.
If you find that your conflict is losing its impact or becoming less engaging, it may be because you’ve focused too heavily on a single element. Take a moment to reflect on what additional conflicts could naturally precede or follow the central conflict, and incorporate them into the story. This strategic approach will breathe new life into your storyline and hold the reader’s interest.
✔️ Have a diversity of personalities.
A story where everyone simply agrees can quickly become boring. While it would be great in real life, it’s not very interesting in storytelling. To add oomph to your story, make sure that even characters with shared objectives possess distinct approaches to achieving them. This diversity in viewpoints adds depth to the plot and invites engaging conflicts that propel the story forward.
✔️ Don’t be so nice to your characters.
In real life, kindness is admirable, while in fiction, a touch of psychopathy can add an intriguing edge. Characters effortlessly obtaining their desire can lead to a dull narrative, whereas denying them what they want can create captivating tension. Challenge your characters by subjecting them to the worst possible scenarios. Even when positive outcomes occur, twist them in a way that defies expectations. Keep success teasingly close yet frustratingly vague, reserving its full realization for the end of the story. This constant ebb and flow of fates keeps the reader completely engaged.
✔️ Spice up the explanation scenes with conflict and tension.
Including the occasional scene where a character explains something is acceptable, but overdoing it or stringing too many of these scenes together can risk lulling your reader into boredom. While people often offer explanations for no reason in real life, in stories, these details must seamlessly tie into the plot. One effective approach is to infuse the explanation with conflict or tension, ensuring it feels relevant and engaging for the reader.
✔️ Add internal and external conflicts.
While many stories center around an external conflict (a menacing figure arriving in town), heightening the conflict and tension can be achieved by including an internal struggle. For example, the menacing figure in town might turn out to be the protagonist’s father, complicating their decisions. In the same way, if your story primarily revolves around internal conflict, introducing an external challenge can add a new layer of depth and intrigue.
✔️ Never lower the stakes.
It’s crucial to ensure that the tension and conflict in your story steadily build up leading to the climax. Introducing a scene with lower stakes than a preceding one can disrupt the flow and feel awkward to readers. For instance, if your character has recently prevented a world-ending catastrophe, it may be difficult for readers to believe that they are now deeply concerned about a measly bully. Consistency in the level of tension maintains the narrative’s credibility and keeps readers engaged.
✔️ Add a tense subplot that connects to the main plot.
Keep in mind that before implementing this, it’s essential to ensure that your main plot already has a good amount of conflict and tension. Introducing a gripping subplot can serve to improve the main plot, providing additional challenges for the protagonist to face (a long-buried family secret). However, it’s crucial to maintain a clear connection between the two storylines. This combination ensures that the subplot seamlessly complements and enhances the overall narrative.
New Posts on the Blog
⚙️ Tool of the Month
Pocket
I love using Pocket, especially for research. Whenever I come across an article or site I want to save, I add it to Pocket. When I need the articles, they are all together neatly in one place.
Pocket is a Chrome app that allows you to save articles that you want to read later. You can create lists, listen to articles while on the go, highlight lines or quotes in articles to save for later, create collections, and much more.
✍️ This Month's Writing Prompt
Your character finds a stack of letters they wrote but never mailed. Choose one and write what happens when it finally reaches its recipient.
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See you next month!
Michelle
"God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor." 1 Peter 4:10
