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“
...in literature
only trouble is
interesting.
”
>Ali
ReVo Magazine
“Conflict is the fundamental
element of fiction,
fundamental because
in literature only trouble
is interesting.” - Janet
Burroway. Writing Fiction: A
Guide to Narrative Craft.
There is a reason that Janet
Burroway is one of the most
revered creative writing
professors of our time. She
knows what she is talking
about!
Writing Fiction: A Guide to
Narrative Craft is used in
over 400 universities across
the United States, Canada
and other English speaking
countries as the handbook
for writing creatively, and her
first rule of thumb is Conflict!
Conflict! Conflict!
Conflict creates tension and
tension is what propels your
story. Without conflict you
have boring. Who wants
boring? Who wants to role-
play with boring?
Unfortunately, many of us
have gotten into the habit of
eliminating the conflict from
our role-play. Our characters
go into our rooms and we
eat, drink and be merry
and the lack of conflict has
become nothing short of
amazing. Conflict drives
role-play! Think about those
times when you get a Skype
from a little birdie telling
you about drama unfolding
- what is your very next
move? Check the whochat!
Conflict will cause a flock
to wherever it is occurring.
Whether to help or interfere -
they will come.
Pit your character against
destiny, another character,
society, nature, machines or
technology. Hell, pit yourself
against yourself, but pit
yourself against something.
In role-play, as in life, conflict
can come in many forms.
It can come from a natural
disaster, a lover, a drunk
driver.. making a decision
that goes against your
nature, confrontation with
another character. Basically,
anything that prevents your
character from getting what
he or she wants is conflict.
Maybe your character wants
to make herself breakfast
- you’re out of eggs. That’s
conflict. Maybe she wants
to make herself breakfast
and her lazy ass mooch of a
roommate went egging last
night and you end up killing
him! That’s better conflict.
Conflict! Conflict! Conflict!
“...in literature only trouble is
interesting.”
This is so very true. No one wants
to hear about a sunny walk along
the beach. We want to hear about
the psycho homeless girl that
attacked you and stole your hot
dog. If it’s all sunshine and roses
your role-play is going to fizzle
and flop. At the end of the day?
Conflict is your currency.