Writerly Advice - Core Conflict
Writerly Advice for New Authors - Sharing the Core Conflict
Star Wars - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Hunger Games - Jaws
What do these stories have in common?
The title broadcasts the conflict that will be driving the story. Before the story even begins, we are on the edge of our seats, ready to cheer for the hero.
Not all fiction tells us the core conflict so soon, but good fiction should always clue in the reader as soon as possible. A lot of writing advice focuses on the main character. We are told to show the main character’s normal world at the very beginning of the story.
We also need to show a glimpse of our antagonist, too.
As a new writer, this step is often missed. So, as you are writing that first chapter (or even dreaming up a story title), please tell us clearly about the core external conflict we should expect to drive this story all the way to its glorious ending.
In Charlotte’s Web (by E. B. White), on the first page, we find out that the story conflict is pig versus the ax. Anxious pig, anyone?
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (by J. K. Rowling), it isn’t long before we learn that He-who-must-not-be-named killed baby Harry’s parents. Uh-oh. Look out, Harry—he’s coming for you next.
In the first chapter of The Graveyard Book, author Neil Gaiman shows us the blood dripping from the knife as the murderer trails the one who got away. Run, Bod, Run!
Imagine the opening scene of Star Wars being a teenage Luke puttering around his desert homestead. Instead, we get the clue of the core conflict in a prologue on the screen even before any action begins. Now we are on alert and looking for any sign of the Dark Force to arrive and cause problems for young Skywalker.
If you have been reading along and thinking, “What is the core conflict of my story?” and you just can not seem to put a name to it. Well, maybe it is time for some Brainstorming!
Brainstorm a list of problems your protagonist needs to fix/solve/conquer before the story ends. Some problems might be internal conflicts but the hope is to find that one big external core conflict. This will drive the story because it is the story.
Now brainstorm ways to get that conflict shared with your reader in the first chapter or even the title, if you prefer. Does it seem like this could make coming up with a title for your story so much easier? Not as easy as “Hero Verses Villian,” maybe.
“Make it Dark, Make it Grim, Make it Tough, But then, For the Love of God, Tell a Joke.” -Joss Whedon
Oh, pretty please make us laugh at some point.
But first, give us CONFLICT. Whether it is Dark, Grim, or Tough, create clear conflict for your main character (better yet—even before you create the main character). Tell the reader as soon as possible what this core conflict of your story will be. All the best stories start with the conflict. And we all want our stories to be one of the best.
Something to think about:
Is the Conflict in your story or WIP clearly identified for the reader?
What other books or movies clearly state the main conflict in the title?
If you have any questions or would like more writerly posts like this one, leave me a comment below. You can read about my WIP here: A Wondrous Tale. Until next time, have fun indulging your imagination.