Conflicting Thoughts
My day started off with some conflict in my real life, so it inspired a way out of writer's block.
My story took a turn away from character development to introduce her true self via conflict. This gave me an opportunity to get the novel in a solid direction where it can begin to make sense. Is it just me, or is writing the conflict one of the most addictive parts of writing? It makes me feel like I am in control and understand my characters better because I have to make them react to the situations presented to them.
Even if the conflict isn't used in the final version of your novel, it helps you realize why the actions they take (or reactions) are vital to their day-to-day quirks/personality traits. One of my old professors gave me some of the best writing advice: Know 100% of your character, only show your readers 20%.
The way I have always taken that is to know how they would react in any given situation, but to write well enough to not have to explain every step to your reader. Let them come to their own conclusions.
But to get to that point, you are going to have to imagine or write conflict that may not make it in that final draft, and that is okay! One thing I am sure of though: conflict is a great way to leap back into the story and try to work the plot out.
Get out there and ruffle some feathers!
My story took a turn away from character development to introduce her true self via conflict. This gave me an opportunity to get the novel in a solid direction where it can begin to make sense. Is it just me, or is writing the conflict one of the most addictive parts of writing? It makes me feel like I am in control and understand my characters better because I have to make them react to the situations presented to them.
Even if the conflict isn't used in the final version of your novel, it helps you realize why the actions they take (or reactions) are vital to their day-to-day quirks/personality traits. One of my old professors gave me some of the best writing advice: Know 100% of your character, only show your readers 20%.
The way I have always taken that is to know how they would react in any given situation, but to write well enough to not have to explain every step to your reader. Let them come to their own conclusions.
But to get to that point, you are going to have to imagine or write conflict that may not make it in that final draft, and that is okay! One thing I am sure of though: conflict is a great way to leap back into the story and try to work the plot out.
Get out there and ruffle some feathers!
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