Tag: Write about a conflict

Hurdles

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Life is a series of hurdles that we have to jump. Or at least attempt to jump.

The problem is that some hurdles are more challenging than others, some more pleasant than others to achieve.

In track, of course, there is an event involving hurdles. Athletes run at incredibly fast speeds, clearing a series of metal hurdles along the way. That’s something I could never have done for two reasons: my short legs and my terror at jumping.

For most of us, hurdles are more mundane. It could be a death in the family, rent to pay, a search for a new job, trying to find a mate in the dating pool.

Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist is faced with a substantial hurdle that, in some way, is blocking her way forward.

Make the hurdle realistic, but challenging. Doable, but not without great difficulty.

Have fun with this one.

An Old Acquaintance

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            Every now and then someone from our long-forgotten past reappears. It can be a pleasant surprise or one fraught with fear. In the first case, the two of you might go to a café, take a walk around a park, and then exchange contact information.

            In the second case, you might search for a way to disengage and escape.

            The stories about those events will be completely different: one filled with joy, the other with fright.

            Your task is to write a story in which someone from the past shows up, unexpectedly. Your character needs to show emotions appropriate to the scene you’ve chosen.

            Pepper the story with interesting dialogue, narrative and scene description.

Have fun with this one.

The Elusive Demon

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            Imagine buying a house without knowing that someone had been murdered in the kitchen. Your state doesn’t require disclosing such information, so you move in, ready to spend your first night.

            Houses creek and groan as they settle, and if there’s foul weather, branches might scratch windows and doors might rattle.

            What you don’t expect, however, is the appearance of a specter floating in front of the stove!

            You’ve got limited options. Who can you call to chase the demon away? Ghostbusters exist in movie-land. Priests probably don’t really do exorcisms.

            Your task is to write a story in which a demon-ghost torments the houses’ inhabitants. Make it creepy, frightening, and possibly even gruesome.

            Have fun with this one.

Power Corrupts

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            Politics can be a dirty business. Those with money can “buy” lowered taxes and rulings that favor their business. Those without power are often either ignored or disregarded, their needs not important to those seeking influence. A politician will appeal to those without, promising all kinds a magical thinking, but once elected, serve only those with money.

            Lawyers are often demeaned for being “criminals” themselves, especially when they take on clients who consistently violate the laws. All this is done thanks to hefty payouts and the notoriety that defending such clients falls upon the law firm.

School administrators who are supposed to be there for students and staff, can fire teachers with very little cause, as long as it takes place before the teacher earns tenure. It doesn’t take much to rid oneself of staff who ask questions, challenge decisions, and speak up against what they believe are injustices. A few negative evaluations can destroy a teachers career, if the charges are serious enough.

Your task is to write a story in which power corrupts. The wanting of power, or seeking power, or utilizing power to get what your character wants must play a major role.

Have fun with this one.

Feeling Ashamed

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            Imagine standing at the front of your church to lead the congregation in song. You begin off-key, get a few notes right, then go off-key again. You feel your cheeks getting hot. Respiration increases. Your pulse quickens as time seems to stand still. When you reach the last word, you make a fast exit.

            Perhaps you stole something from a friend’s bedroom. She owned a porcelain statue of a horse, when you know she hates horses. Is terrified of horses. She slips it in your pocket while she’s rifling through her closet.  A few days later she asks if you saw it, perhaps even took it, but you deny, deny, deny.

            Shame hits everyone at some time in their life. It can range from a deep reaction to a slight embarrassment.

            Your task is to write a story in which shame plays a major role.

            First decide your audience. Children react differently than adults. Children’s offenses are generally smaller in significance than something an adult might do.

            Setting is crucial, so establish it right at the beginning.

            Have fun with this one.

Seeking Justice

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            Justice is one of those virtues that society is built upon. Working toward establishing what’s right, holding people accountable, and punishing those who violate the dictates of society is based upon what is just, what is right.

            Who decides the rules? What makes one act just but another not?

            Your task is to write a story in which justice plays a central role. Your protagonist might be the one seeking justice for an act committed against him, or he might be the one sitting in a courtroom being held accountable for something he did to another.

            The offense might be small, such as stealing gym clothes out of a locker, or large such as robbing a bank. What’s important is that the act is believable based upon the age of your character.

            Have fun with this one.

Revenge

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            Little kids are excellent at exacting revenge. You touch my truck/doll and I’ll smack your face. You steal my comic book, I’ll shred your favorite t-shirt.

            As we grow, we’re taught that revenge is bad: that we are to forgive and forget. But do we really?

            What do we do about the guest who breaks your favorite goblet? Was it accidental or intentional? Does that determine how we react, how long we hold a grudge? If we believe it was intentional, what do we do to exact revenge? To even the scales?

            Your task is to write a story in which revenge is a central theme. Choose your characters wisely. They need to be able to do something devious, something that irks the other to the point of seeking revenge.

            You also need to decide what the offense is, what the act of revenge involves.

            Have fun with this one.

Coming of Age

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            Growing up is filled with bumps and bruises, both physically and emotionally. We learn to negotiate friendships, dealing with adults in power (bosses, teachers), as well as trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be.

            Most YA (Young Adult) books, whether fiction or fantasy, feature protagonists who are doing just that. There is generally a good deal of angst, tears, temper tantrums, sulking, falling in and out of romance and conflict with friends.

            Your task is to write a story in which coming of age is the central theme. Focus on the protagonist, the sidekicks, and the internal and external conflicts. Begin with an inciting incident such as the announcement of an upcoming school dance. Somewhere along the way include a surprise twist that readers will not see coming, but that impacts the story ending.

            Have fun with this one.

Conflict at Home

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            Your character shares an apartment with at least two other people. Those two went off somewhere: a shopping trip, a vacation, a return home.

When they walk through the doors of the apartment, it’s obvious that something’s happened and they are no longer speaking to each other.

How does this affect your protagonist? What is the argument about and can it be fixed?

What does your character do? Run away for a few hours? Look for a new place to live? Try to make peace?

Your task is to write such a story. Make sure to emphasize the emotional turmoil swirling about the apartment and how it affects the different characters.

Have fun with this one.

An Old Friend

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            You’ve got your protagonist planned out. You know your setting and the premise of your story. Perhaps you’ve written a good portion, with tension and a perfect adversary.

            Then you bogged down, not knowing where to go next.

            One way is to insert an old acquaintance from the character’s past.

            This person needs to be a bit quirky or argumentative or a bully. She could have stolen the protagonist’s love interest or bested her in a competition.

            Perhaps he’s the ex-boyfriend or husband, moving back home.

            Write the story of what happens as soon as your character is aware of this person’s reappearance.

            Use narrative and dialogue. Include emotional reactions: think sweaty palms, heart palpitations, trouble breathing.

            Ramp up the tension. Perhaps there’s a nasty interaction, or your character overhears him saying nasty things about her.

            Have fun with this one.