Writing tip Wednesday: “Conflict”

On Saturday, February 1, 2014, I took a workshop sponsored by the Knoxville Writers’ Guild (www.knoxvillewritersguild.org) and led by nationally published author Pamela Schoenewaldt (www.PamelaSchoenewaldt.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pamela-Schoenewaldt/158580547517755?ref=tn_tnmn).

The workshop was on character development. What you have below is the second of the three handout exercises from the workshop. The first one, “Who are you?” was posted last Wednesday. Each handout can be done in ten minutes or less, and oftentimes not pondering too long is best. The first exercise was called “Who are you?” The you refers to the character. This worksheet can be used for the both the protagonist and antagonist of the story or novel you are working on, or just about any character you want to use it on. It might even be helpful if writing a memoir or biography.

CONFLICT WORKSHEET

Answer without worrying about grammar or logic. Emotions can be messy and illogical. The point is that they MATTER.

1. More than anything, my character wants. . .

2. Getting it matters so much because . . .

3. But the problem/obstacle is . . .

4. My character feels (use 4+ adjectives)

5. Giving up would mean . . .

6. To “win” the character must overcome . . .

7. Who will help and how?

8. Name 3 possible LOCATIONS where this conflict will play out. What OBJECTS will be important?

9. The outcome/ resolution will change the character. Now s/he will . . .