DEVELOPING CHARACTERS THROUGH CONFLICT + STRUGGLE

A story without struggles is boring. We know that. It’s the conflict that drives our characters to get what they want. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small goal or comes at a monumental cost. There must be a struggle. Think Dan Brown’s character Robert Langdon, in all of his books he faces conflict from the first page. In The Da Vinci Code he’s diverted from a pre-arranged meeting and accused of murder. In The Lost Symbol, he’s tricked into going to Washington to chase yet more codes and secrets. Thrillers are based on conflict, it’s in their DNA, and so are classical characters. Take Pip in Great Expectations, until almost the end of the book his life is faced with conflict both internal and external based on a monumental misunderstanding.

So what do we need to know about what our characters wants and how striving to achieve them will set up conflict?

Here are two tips to get started.

• What does she want? Her goals can set her into conflict with herself by being contradictory. Jane wants to go to university in another city but her mother is unwell and needs her. She fights with her conscience. Ben wants to marry Jenna but she doesn’t follow his religion which is the second most important thing in his life. He fights with his values. Difficult choices lead to conflict and struggle. Worry, fear and dark nights of the soul are signposts to internal battles but beware long internal monologues.

• How will trying to get what she wants get her into conflict with the other characters? This is where the action lives. Disagreements, arguments and disappointment are the hallmark of conflict between our characters. Jane’s brother says she’s selfish for wanting to go away, cue big fight, ugly words. Failing then succeeding in handling ridicule and condemnation can be effective markers of her fighting for her goals. Ben’s father forbids him to marry Jenna, cue big drama a la Romeo and Juliet. Life changing choices can lead to conflict and struggle with bitterness, resentment and frustration.

Capturing the essence of their conflicts and how their goals drive their actions will create the motivation for their story. All the conflicts and struggles will need to be faced, overcome or accepted. Once you’ve defined each character’s goals big and small, both internal and external every scene of your story will start to move forward under its own momentum.