4B CONFLICT THAT SIZZLES
COURSE OUTLINE

There is one major rule for commercial fiction writers – don't be boring! And the best way to make sure that doesn't happen is to have intense and integrated conflict in your story. By the end of this course, you will have a working knowledge of how conflict presents itself in a story.

Each week's lesson covers one aspect of story conflict and will have an exercise designed to help you apply the material.

1. What Conflict Is and What it Isn't
  • What conflict is
  • What conflict does
  • External conflict (GMC)
  • Internal conflict (GMC)
  • The plot question still counts
2. The Many Face of Conflict
  • Types of conflict (link to basic plots)
  • The romantic conflict
  • The suspense conflict
  • The villain and the antagonist
  • Compare and contrast
3. Making Characters Miserable
  • Goal lures character forward
  • Shatter character's self-image
  • Heap indignity upon humiliation
  • Motivate to keep character engaged
  • Make the reward as big as the consequences
4. Make it Terrible, Then Let Them Win
  • Use act movements to heighten conflict
  • Internal conflict creates inner tension
  • Plot pressures the conflict
  • Character breaks under the pressure
  • Character regroups and rises to win the war
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