Conflict
Conflict is very important in a romance novel -- and really in any kind of a novel at all. What would
the story of Romeo and Juliet be without the family feud? How good would Gone with the Wind
have been if Scarlett realized from day one that Ashley wasn't the man for her, and that Rhett was
her true love? And even in Toy Story, if Buzz hadn't shown up, and threatened to take Woody's
place.... Well, you get the idea. Ah, the interest conflict brings to a story!
What is not conflict?
Fights. Arguments. Misunderstandings.
What is conflict?
There are two kinds of conflict in a story, internal and external. I feel they are both needed to carry
most plots.
Internal conflict is something that is set inside your character.
Blair was in love with a cop, and he was killed in the line of duty. Now she finds herself falling in
love with one of her late husband's friends, another cop. There is no way she will do that without a
fight. The fear of losing him the same way is just too strong. It will cause an internal battle that
she will have to fight before she can love him.
External conflict is just like you guessed, something on the outside.
Sam has growing feelings for Linda, but she is rich, from the right side of town, and so are all of
her friends. Sam is going to school full time, trying to work, trying to keep up his grades; he can
hardly make ends meet. Linda's father is a judge, upper crust, his family line can be traced back
to the Mayflower. Sam's family line can be followed back to share croppers, his dad worked in a
sawmill once, and died in prison, after Linda's father sent him there--which brings us back to
internal conflict. If you have plenty of both in your story, it should help keep your plot clicking
along, and your readers turning those pages.
Charlotte Dillon ~ www.charlottedillon.com
the story of Romeo and Juliet be without the family feud? How good would Gone with the Wind
have been if Scarlett realized from day one that Ashley wasn't the man for her, and that Rhett was
her true love? And even in Toy Story, if Buzz hadn't shown up, and threatened to take Woody's
place.... Well, you get the idea. Ah, the interest conflict brings to a story!
What is not conflict?
Fights. Arguments. Misunderstandings.
What is conflict?
There are two kinds of conflict in a story, internal and external. I feel they are both needed to carry
most plots.
Internal conflict is something that is set inside your character.
Blair was in love with a cop, and he was killed in the line of duty. Now she finds herself falling in
love with one of her late husband's friends, another cop. There is no way she will do that without a
fight. The fear of losing him the same way is just too strong. It will cause an internal battle that
she will have to fight before she can love him.
External conflict is just like you guessed, something on the outside.
Sam has growing feelings for Linda, but she is rich, from the right side of town, and so are all of
her friends. Sam is going to school full time, trying to work, trying to keep up his grades; he can
hardly make ends meet. Linda's father is a judge, upper crust, his family line can be traced back
to the Mayflower. Sam's family line can be followed back to share croppers, his dad worked in a
sawmill once, and died in prison, after Linda's father sent him there--which brings us back to
internal conflict. If you have plenty of both in your story, it should help keep your plot clicking
along, and your readers turning those pages.
Charlotte Dillon ~ www.charlottedillon.com
Copyrighted 2002 by Charlotte Dillon
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If you find my articles being used in any way that isn't free and open
and including my name and link, please report the situation to me so it
can be handled. If you are unsure if your use will fall under what is
allowed, please contact me and ask. Thanks!