Writing Theory - Conflict 101

Writing Theory - Conflict 101

THEORY

goal + obstacle = conflict -> plot

You may have heard that a story needs conflict, but what does that mean?

No, it's not explosions. Or murder. Or smut.

Your character wants something, that's the goal. Something is in the character's way, that's the obstacle. The way your character deals with the obstacle to reach their goal is what makes an engaging conflict.

You see this on a plot level as well as on an individual scene level: Character wants X, but obstacle Y, so they have to go do Z

Conflict is like the engine of the plot, so if it's missing in a scene, then it's likely to feel redundant, boring, as if the story came to a halt (because it did; the engine stopped).

The goal and obstacle pair generally appear in two orders, with a "reaction" element:

Character sets a goal, but an obstacle happens, so the character reacts by changing course

Something happens (obstacle), character reacts to it and decides on the next action (goal)

You can alternate between the two, then you get something like this: character tries to accomplish something, something gets in their way, forcing a new approach, character reacts to the changes and decides how to move on from here, sets a new goal, tries to reach goal, faces obstacle...

This can also keep your character active rather than passive. Even in a reactionary scene, your character is responding and making a decision, rather than being a puppet to external forces. It can be smart to not have too many reactionary scenes back-to-back, as this can also feel passive. The goal-obstacle-reaction type scenes don't really have this problem and you can intersperse them with reactionary scenes now and then for variation.

You can have one major goal and many smaller goals. The goal(s) can also shift over the course of the story.

If you struggle to think of an obstacle, ask yourself: what is preventing my character from achieving their goal right now? Why can't they walk up to the villain and defeat them? Why can't they pull their love interest into a kiss? Why is your story longer than two paragraphs?

Ideally, goals and obstacles (and conflicts) are interwoven with character development, theme, etc., making for a solid plot where all these elements form one smooth fabric together. As a beginner, it's alright to first pick one thing to exercise rather than trying to balance all these things at once. Learn to create these bare bones of a plot and then improve upon that foundation.

EXAMPLE: Revenge of the Sith

Anakin would like Padmé to not die. = goal; He doesn't know how to prevent it. = obstacle

Stop the Sith = goal; Not knowing who the Sith Lord is = obstacle

These form conflicts and they push the plot forward. There are several smaller goals, like defeating Dooku/saving the Chancellor, preventing Palpatine from dying, manslaughter, killing Obi-Wan...

A scene with the goal - obstacle - (reaction) order: Anakin wants to use Palpatine's knowledge (goal), but Mace Windu is about to make that permanently impossible (obstacle). Thus, Anakin needs to pivot from yelling to slashing in order to reach his goal.

A scene with the obstacle - (reaction) - goal order: Anakin, the superstar Jedi, has just helped a Sith Lord kill a Jedi master (obstacle/problem; goes against the bigger "stop the Sith" goal). This has an effect on him (reaction; "What have I done??") and leads to a decision: join Palpatine. This then sets him on his next goal(s): destroy the Jedi to prove he's worthy.

Here you see how those two "types" of scenes flow into each other.

EXERCISE

Write two short scenes - one for each type (reactionary and goal-obstacle-reaction). They don't have to be unrelated.

Now, write another two scenes, but this time make them successive.

See if you can do this in the form of a short story: write 5-10 successive scenes.

Celebrate that you've just written a story! :D

These techniques, like so often with writing, need practice to sink in. So write some fun short stories or wacky scenes, and you'll notice you get better the more you do it. Have fun!

More Posts from Redibanni and Others

2 years ago

I think the reason Ralsei doesn't turn to stone in other dark worlds might not be because he's created by the Grand Fountain. I think...

I Think The Reason Ralsei Doesn't Turn To Stone In Other Dark Worlds Might Not Be Because He's Created

...It's because belonging is at the very core of who he is. Kris wants more than almost anything else to belong, to fit in and not be an outcast. But to do that, they would have to discard everything that makes them themself. Ralsei is what Kris wants to be, but not in the way you might think. Kris wants to belong, and Ralsei is who they would have to be in order to belong.

He's a goat, like the rest of Kris's family. He's smart, polite, helpful, does whatever you ask him, and lets you walk all over him. He doesn't treat himself like a person. Everyone's always asking, why can't you be more like your brother? And now you are. And that's what Ralsei is.

The people in the light world would take him for granted, just assume he's happy, and not wonder how he really feels. Fortunately, however, Ralsei's friends are Kris and Susie. They're not like the rest of hometown. They just want him to be himself and learn and grow with them. They just want to be his friends.

Let me be clear: Ralsei is his own person. He's only just starting to figure out who he is, beyond what I've described above.

I just hope we can be friends with everyone some day.


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2 years ago
Kris...?

Kris...?

Kris...?

Without eye highlights...


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2 years ago
Kris And Asriel But Dressed As Marlo And Yawzee From Super Smashing Fighters

Kris and Asriel but dressed as Marlo and Yawzee from Super Smashing Fighters

Don't Forget - Games aren't real!

Kris And Asriel But Dressed As Marlo And Yawzee From Super Smashing Fighters

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2 years ago

//spoilers from chapter 662

ories = single-lifers (Choi family)

Immortals >> frequently called to solve problems in different dimensions because they do not impact other souls. (None in TCF) (PR: So far.)

Variables =

Reincarnators (White Star)

Transmigrators (Kim Rok Soo, Cale Henituse)

Regressors (Cale Henituse)

> Reincarnator: Pushes out the soul that is supposed to take a body and is born with the memories of their past life and the soul that is pushed out is born like a twin in a different dimension. The reason the White Star looks like Kim Rok Soo is because he pushed out Kim Rok Soo who was supposed to be in that body.

> Transmigrator: Pushes out a soul that has been living in a body and forces in a different soul; the soul that is pushed out has no choice but to go into the empty body of the invading soul. Basically, it causes chaos to the soul.

IM GOIN INSANE, PERHAPS WACKY, ONE MIGHT EVEN SAY CRAZY, IM LOSING MY MIND, MY MARBLES, MY BANANAS I AM FALLING OFF MY ROCKER SO TO SPEAK

CALE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM 'BIRTH OF A HERO' WORLD????? AND HE FUCKING TRANSMIGRATTED BACK???????? AND WHITE STAR IS CURRENTLY USING HIS BODY NOW???

Everytime i think i get used to all the bombs the author throws at me, something like this happens

2 years ago

it is canon that:

Noelle would mercilessly grind her Catz to get the right combination, eliminating all Catz that strayed from her path

Noelle has a morbid curiosity, and it gives her the determination to see scary and messed up things, like videogame creepypastas, despite her emotional response to cry and fear

I conclude that:

Noelle could complete an Undertale No Mercy route

Noelle would stream her No Mercy Playthrough and be an instant hit, because everytime someone dies, Noelle spends 5 minutes grieving the person she just killed


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1 year ago

HEELLPPPP LMAAOOO WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ABOMINATION

Show Him The Fruits
Show Him The Fruits
Show Him The Fruits
Show Him The Fruits
Show Him The Fruits

Show him the fruits


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2 years ago

People have a very consistent habit of completely forgetting Ralsei's existence.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Maybe he even forgets it himself sometimes.

Queen often outright ignores him...

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Noelle doesn't usually acknowledge him, though she's usually very polite and friendly...

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

And it's not like she can't see him - she sees him get into the teacup with Susie and Kris...

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

...and realizes he's standing in front of her at one point.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

She even wonders who he is...

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

...but, strangely, never asks him his name or talks to him when she gets the chance.

Even Susie, who is generally very good about remembering him...

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

...sometimes just forgets he's there.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

(even squashing Ralsei and walking over him on her way to ask Kris if they missed her)

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Strangely, Ralsei doesn't seem to mind this.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

But there is one exception: when he finally puts his foot down to stop the Roaring.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Suddenly he's got everyone's attention:

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Susie gives him a concerned look, Noelle notices him, and he completely cows Berdly, which might be a first for the whole cast.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.
People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Even Queen reels from what he says.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

This leads me to believe that the reason people ignore Ralsei isn't from some sinister magic thing.

It's because he usually doesn't take a stand for his own existence.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

He's so wrapped up in his "purpose" that he doesn't allow himself to have an identity.

People Have A Very Consistent Habit Of Completely Forgetting Ralsei's Existence.

Even to Ralsei, "Ralsei" barely exists.

And although people don't intend to, sometimes that means he winds up forgotten when he's standing right next to them.


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2 years ago

Krs!cale came from a world where food was scarce and you'd probably die if you're picky...

Imagine everyone just shouting in shock when he drops a cookie and immediately squats down, looks at it for 2 seconds, and then pops it into his mouth.

After that??? They watch him like hawks because he's basically a toddler putting random things into his mouth... Like you can't tell me his old habits wouldn't kick in sometimes and he wouldn't dig up some random wild carrot or smth and just smack some dirt off before taking a bite. Ron would literally have to take it away.. and you know the little kid thing where the parents dust the dirt off the kids hands and stuff?? That.

Cale: I don't get why you guys are so against leaving me alone??? I'm grown .

Also Cale: (eating random bread off the ground)

Beacrox just , having a mental break down over how dirty it is and how many germs Cale must've ingested ...

I wanna write this fkdkfkdlg

2 years ago

Is it actually possible for people to respect the idea that I’m just not personally impressed with Berdly as a person right now?

I’m not a fan of how he interrupts Noelle constantly, how he spent most of chapter 2 putting Kris and Susie down and call them stupid to their faces, just to turn around and relationship-zone Susie after she turns out to be cool, trying to get her alone constantly and then trick her into giving him a kiss.

image

He’s going to have to treat Kris, Noelle, and Susie with some actual, non-crush-related respect, as people, before I’m going to consider liking him. That doesn’t mean I want him dead or don’t acknowledge that he values Noelle.

This is not a character everyone has to like or it’s immoral somehow or you get to call them stupid for not liking him. Stop sending me fanboy asks trying to covert me Green Eggs and Ham style.

What part of “there’s nothing wrong with him, he’s just annoying” makes people think harassing them into liking him is okay?


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redibanni - RedIbanni
RedIbanni

I like blogging my Fixations and Analysis ----- An Amateur Writer

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