Most writers agree that conflict is what makes good writing interesting to readers.  Sure, there are lots of other elements to consider when keeping the reader turning the page, but conflict goes a long way to meeting that need.  Why is that?  Simple. Conflict causes tension and tension begs to be resolved.  The reader cannot stand not to reach a point where the resolution occurs. 

How is conflict created?  The ancient good guy/bad guy battle is a great example, only in modern day novels it is often more subtle.  It’s the cheating wife and the decent husband.  It’s the bigoted churchman and the humanitarian agnostic.  Some of these choices will make your readers turn away because they don’t like to see their character types portrayed badly.  For example, many women will ask why didn’t you pick the man to be the cheating husband and may very well decide they don’t like your story.  You could play it safe and have the mean/incompetent supervisor versus the dedicated employee…everyone eventually has been there and can relate.  Or perhaps you like the “man against the elements” conflict model.  But is playing it safe what writing is all about?  I don’t think so.  I’d rather write two lines that are genuine than twelve volumes of politically correct mush.

The bottom line is to keep the various obstacles in the way of your main character.  Give him roadblocks to overturn.  They may be people or processes or mother nature, but keep them coming and then resolve them.

Are you contemplating writing a long fiction work?  Novellas and novels require planning just the same as shorter works, even more so actually, but carrying out that plan can be a real challenge.  You can easily get lost in your work over time and lose track of what you are doing.  One of the best things a writer can do is to take the time to actually plan out a plot that works so you have a road map for your fiction.  Some writers are capable of excellent major works without a major preplan where the novel is driven just by their characters in the story.   Tony Hillerman spoke of doing that, but I think it is a hard way to write.  Once you have a skeleton plot plan you are on your way, but remember to keep the all the details of what I like to call “workmanship” in order. 

What constitutes good workmanship in fiction?  I think first and foremost is that you put together a first chapter that literally forces the reader to want to turn to chapter two (and you ought to think about hooks throughout every chapter to continue that process.)  Make sure the facts of the story remain correct and consistent throughout.  Doing a longer work takes time, and believe it or not, you will forget what you wrote previously in chapter three when you are all the way in chapter thirty-three.  Keep track of things like that!  Even though you’ve made a plot skeleton, keep thinking about whether there are ways that you could make it even more powerful as you get into writing the details (that plot isn’t set in concrete and will likely go through some revisions in the process…don’t be afraid to make the changes that make things better!)  As you write you may also notice that what you envisioned in the plot outline really doesn’t seem plausible and needs to be changed.  Are you writing just to fill the page?  Get rid of the stuff that doesn’t advance the plot or help in strengthening character.  In contrast, add more of both of those if you need to.  Have you connected all the dots when the story is done with a conclusion that works and will be accepted by the reader as completing the story, or did you write yourself into a corner and opt for an easy ending?  Readers hate that, so do the hard work and revision required to create an ending that is fair and believable.  And lastly, keep an eye on your grammar and style.  Nothing ruins a book more quickly than a failure to know how to put the words down properly.

Happy writing folks!

Let’s say you are new to this writing game.  When you get the urge to write, what do you write about?  You want to do a terrific job on a story and be really creative.  Do you write science fiction about blue polka dot people on Rigillios Three?  Do you spend untold hours in frustration trying to engineer a completely fanciful world?  Do you engage the services of a dozen professionals who work in the arena that you have decided to throw your hat into like established writers (with money) always do.  Maybe you do.  Maybe if you are really lucky you have friends,willing to regale you with stories, at no charge, who have been in the environment you want to write about (although if it is Rigillios Three, I suspect you might want to look for other advice if not other friends!)

There is an old writer’s adage that is especially important for new writers to learn:  “Write what you know.”  It makes so much sense, and yet new writers so often resist this wisdom and instead launch out into projects that seem intriguing but are extremely difficult to accomplish for even the most seasoned authors.  There is still a need for a taxing amount of imagination in writing a compelling story in a setting you are familiar with, let alone one that is totally foreign.  You’ll have your hands full, but at least you’re on familiar territory.

If you pass out Big Macs, there is a story there.  If you mow lawns on weekends, there is a story there.  If you sell dresses at JC Penney’s you have lots of options for a good story line.  Consider that mass murderers have shot up more than one fast food place, shoplifters with serious mental issues inhabit department stores, and it’s amazing the people and actions you can see going on in the neighborhood as you are raking and mowing lawns.  Now you have an environment you can really envision.  If you have problems and get stuck with your imagination, you can actually just go sit with your laptop and people-watch the patrons at the Golden Arches, or peek into a few front yards in your block for actions and ideas.  Imagery details flow much easier and often ideas for action are played out right before your eyes.  A little fictional twist here and there and suddenly you have a story. 

What story lines have you imagined in your own little sphere of the world?  What are favorite stories you've read that have obviously used this technique?  Think about the great literary authors who have done this—Kate Chopin, Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway.  Obviously this concept works!  The world is full of stories--don’t think that the ordinary people and places of your life are off limits.  Go write about them. 

Now, don’t despair…you can still write about Rigillios Three if you really want to…but how about transporting those wacky McDonald’s regulars there?