Melanie Nilles

Something every story needs is conflict. For those who have been writing a while, you understand the true nature of conflict. For those who are new or perhaps haven’t thought of it much, keep reading.

What is conflict? I can give the dictionary meaning, but that’s trite and unimaginative. True conflict in the framework of a fiction story is the element that keeps readers turning pages. It’s the opposing views/actions/thoughts of the characters. Conflict is the turmoil and trauma of a murder that makes us want to find justice. Conflict is the fight between two lovers that makes us want to know if they will resolve their differences. Conflict is the idea that one can conquer a smoking addiction. Conflict is the reason a story exists–something to be resolved.

Why have conflict? It creates suspense. Imagine reading a story about the day in the life of…say a farmer/rancher–I’m familiar with that. In the summer months, he might spend the whole day baling hay. Yeah, pretty dull–sit on a tractor in the hot sun, making sure the baler picks up the cut and cured grass in the windrows (no, I did not misspell the word), wraps it with string, and releases the bale. Yawn! Now, imagine that farmer has a breakdown–happens often–and has to get parts to fix the baler. He can’t bale hay for his cows. Now, imagine a storm is building on the horizon and the nearest parts store is an hour away one way (two hours round trip) and it takes an hour to fix the baler…can he do it in time to finish that last windrow before moving on to another cutting to bale? If it rains, he has to wait a couple days for the grass to dry, or risk mold growing in the bale if it’s too wet, but then it can be overcured and lose its nutrients. Now, we have some tension, from the conflict of man vs nature vs machine. Sure, it’s a simple example, but one I know well from growing up on a farm/ranch.

We went from boring to something of interest, and you probably learned something you didn’t realize along the way.

In the area of fantasy, here’s another example… We can have a character become a skilled fighter almost overnight without getting their butt kicked because they’re given some special talent. No fun and not believable. We want to see them struggle. Real life is that way–full of struggle, full of conflict. We need a reason to root for them. They should have to suffer to learn their skills. None of us are given anything. Some of us have a natural predisposition towards certain talents, but we still have to endure failure and overcome adversity to succeed. That is conflict.

Conflict is the spice of a story. Without it, the story is flat and lifeless. Kind of like those award-winning barbeque ribs vs. plain tofu. No conflict equals no story.