relationship writing

Conflict & Collaboration in Dialogue 207-03

/ Adam / Leave a comment

Goals in Dialogue

Athlete takes aim with a javelin, preparing to throw it.

All conversations center around a topic. The topic may change over time, but typically there is one focus at any given time. In turn, every character participating in the conversation has a goal in mind. Typically a dialogue goal will center around information, either trying to learn, impart, or conceal information. For example, two characters in a car might debate whether to take the highway or stay on back roads. The focus of the conversation is determining which route they’ll take.

Continue reading →

How Plot(s) and Conflicts Can Unite a Story 110-02

/ Adam / 1 Comment

1. One conflict/resolution leads to another.

In Harry Potter, particularly books 1 & 2, the overarching conflict is unraveling a mystery, (What is hidden in the castle? Who opened the Chamber?). Within this larger conflict, the characters engage and complete numerous smaller steps, some planned, while others are unexpected. As they progress, each resolution leads to the next step in the plot.

Continue reading →

Uniting a Story Part 1-How Characters Can Unite a Story 110-01

/ Adam / 1 Comment

Some stories are told from a single perspective, in a single location, over a short span of time (for example, Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson), but in general, the longer a story is, the more complex it becomes. Most novels feature between 2 and 6 different point of view characters, each with their own cast of supporting characters. They engage multiple narrative threads, spanning a wide range of locations and moments in time.

Continue reading →