Conflict in story telling explained

So, you’re in the writing zone, having done all your homework beforehand. You’re breezing through the pages, fulfilling every step of your outline. The story is unfolding seamlessly, but there’s an elusive issue. You’ve nailed every plot component, every character beat; your protagonist experiences growth, conflicts are abundant, yet something feels amiss. Your story, despite its apparent completeness, somehow feels empty. Let me explain.

By now, you’re probably well-acquainted with storytelling frameworks like the three-act structure or the hero’s journey – those trusty guides for any writer or storyteller. However, these structures aren’t the be-all and end-all of storytelling.

I firmly assert that Characters, yes, with a capital ‘C,’ are the most crucial components of any story. Even when you have a third-person omniscient narrator, there’s always one main character (or more, but the complexity rises with each main character), serving as the lens through which everything is filtered. Characters are paramount because they are the human elements in any story, the aspects we relate to through triumphs and failures.

In the example above, the dissonance arises because only the main character’s journey is developed. Things happen, but they feel hollow because the story transforms into a simple mathematical problem, where solving one issue paves the way for the next. And no, Neophyte, the problem isn’t that everything is going too smoothly for the main character. The real issue lies in everything feeling too smooth without the necessary conflicts.

My father always said this about cheap telenovelas, “the ones for whoe everything goes well until the very end are about villains,” and it’s true.

If stories are, to a certain extent, a reflection of life in how human the characters are, then you cannot have two human characters with the rest merely serving as props. Characters are the most crucial part of the story because through them, conflict happens.

Yes, Neophyte, this is where we revisit the concept of conflict. Poorly executed conflict is when things merely happen. As a glaring example that doesn’t require much analysis, let’s consider the disaster movie 2012. Do you recall the whole commotion with the so-called Mayan prophecy? Well, that’s pretty much the “about it” of the movie. I don’t blame you if you don’t remember; it’s a forgettable disaster film that isn’t even enjoyable in its badness.

From what I do recall, to the protagonists – technically, there are several protagonists, but they function as a single unit – the disaster happens almost personally, as if the cataclysm tearing the planet apart (yes, it’s that absurd) is targeting them individually. There’s minimal conflict in the movie beyond survival, and the plot progresses solely in reaction to the unfolding events. If it were well-executed, that would be one thing, but it fails miserably from a writing perspective. Once the initial shock factor fades, there’s nothing left – no substance, no backbone, no humanity. Just a disaster and some characters trying to survive it.

Something similar often occurs in the bloated zombie genre. The outset is exhilarating, portraying survival in its rawest and purest form. However, as things settle down and the initial chaos subsides, the narrative tends to shift from survival to petty conflicts among humans. These conflicts feel disconnected from the broader story.

Yet, human conflict is the engine that propels the story forward and keeps the reader engaged. I’m not just referring to conflicts against the big bad, the dark king, or the nefarious queen. I’m talking about the little conflicts that unfold daily among humans – the small plots, ambitions, and the beautiful irrationality that defines us as human beings. A story, or rather its characters, cannot and should not be entirely rational. Unless characters are mere devices, they should wield influence over the plot and narrative through their actions, and those actions should carry consequences.

Conflict, in essence, is a fundamental storytelling element that propels the narrative forward and captivates the audience. It introduces tension, obstacles, and challenges that characters must navigate, creating a dynamic and compelling plot. Here’s a breakdown of how conflict contributes to the progression of a story:

• Creates Tension: Conflict injects a sense of tension or suspense into the narrative. Whether it’s a personal struggle, a disagreement between characters, or an external threat, this tension keeps the audience engaged and invested in the unfolding events.

• Drives Plot Development: Conflict serves as the driving force behind the plot. As characters confront challenges and obstacles, they are compelled to make decisions and take actions that lead to further developments in the story. These choices and their consequences shape the narrative and maintain its momentum.

• Builds Character Development: Conflict provides fertile ground for characters to evolve and grow. How characters respond to challenges exposes their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. The process of overcoming or succumbing to conflicts contributes significantly to the overall character arc.

• Heightens Stakes: Conflict elevates the stakes within the story. Whether it’s a personal conflict or a broader external threat, the sense of risk and consequence becomes more pronounced. This heightened tension ensures that the audience remains engaged and invested in the eventual outcome.

• Maintains Interest: A story devoid of conflict may lack excitement and struggle, making it less interesting for the audience. Conflict introduces uncertainty and unpredictability, preventing the narrative from becoming stagnant or predictable.

• Facilitates Resolution: Conflict sets the stage for resolution. As characters grapple with and address the challenges they face, the story progresses toward a resolution. Whether it’s a happy or tragic ending, the resolution often serves as the culmination of the conflicts presented throughout the narrative.

• Reflects Real-Life Dynamics: Conflict is an inherent part of the human experience, and integrating it into a story enhances its relatability. It mirrors the complexities of real-life relationships, personal growth, and societal challenges, making the narrative more authentic and resonant.

All of this implies not just external conflict but internal conflict as well. We all harbor darkness within us, possessing aspects that require learning but are often resistant to change. Every external journey should be mirrored by an internal one, where external events reverberate and shape our inner experiences. More frequently, conflicts arise due to the unseen and unsaid. Just as it is in real life, fiction should mirror this reality.

Sometimes, a protracted adventure unfolds simply because we are trying to evade confronting something. In the days to come, we will delve deeper into the various facets of conflict. I trust this serves as an adequate primer