Young Writers Society

Just wondering, in a story or a series of stories, what is a prime example of good conflict? I'm having a bit of trouble with this in my novel, like I have conflict, but there's not a lot. I'm wondering how to make it better.

help?

Writing Excuses has a nice podcast on pacing that sort of answers the same thing Here
:3 I found it really useful.

The way I figure out sources of conflict is like so: Take any character. What do they want, more than anything else? What prevents them from getting it? I love it when the answer is themselves, but that´s another story. Conflict= character plus unrealized goal. Pretty much any story you analyze fits this formula.

Alternatively, take any scene/chapter and ask yourself what the worst posible thing for your character would be. And then do it. (Not always, but it is fun).

In other words, look at it as character development, and not plot.