That title has multiple meanings. I am having a writing conflict lately. I sit and write endless dialogue -- some of it really pretty darn good. Page after page turns into chapter after chapter. What's the problem? No conflict. My characters are just blathering along, happily, with occasional angst. We are getting to know them, we are getting a sense of place, setting, emotional involvement. JUST NO CONFLICT.
My strength as a writer is in character development. I've also "been told" that I can create a feeling -- put you there with the characters. Mood... So we are are warm and fuzzy and feeling the mood. Yawn.
Story ideas pop into my head like daisies. They really do. I've heard other authors talk about a lack of ideas. That's not my problem, but I can't seem to get beyond the initial story line. I imagine all my characters are in position, sitting around the bonfire that I have so painstakingly created and then suddenly all eyes are one me.
"What do you want us to do? Roast wienies and sing songs?"
No that won't work. How about somebody stand up and strike another with a baseball bat. Yikes -- not my style. WHERE'S THE CONFLICT?
I'm in a pickle. We live our lives every day with little conflicts arising. Makes me realize how insignificant our daily strife really is. We should always ask ourselves -- when it seems the world will come to an end when the person in line ahead of us takes the last cupcake -- would this make for an interesting plot conflict? If the answer is no, we should let it go. In life and in writing.
Later - Gem
Very interesting post Gem. I think we all have these issues that come with writing. Some more potent than others.
ReplyDeleteAlthough if I'm in a cupcake mood and someone took the last there would be a serious conflict! *grins*
You crack me up...
ReplyDeleteI know what my problem is (I think). I need to write the #$%! Synopsis FIRST. That really forces you to flesh out the intangibles. *sigh*. Synopsis, here I come...
I always write a really brief synopsis and as I pen the story I add to it. You know, this would make a great sex scene here or later on I have to add a scene explaining so and so.
ReplyDeleteEh, you'll get through it! Cupcakes always help by the way. *Grins*