You are so right about conflict. When there are bad or mean characters in a book I'm reading, I'm worried for the main character, afraid of what will happen to them. It's the conflict and I can feel it physically and the relief when the conflict is settled. Thank you so much for these tips. As a novice writer, I'm learning a lot from you and I appreciate it!!!!!
Don't limit yourself to conflicts between characters. Some of the most compelling fiction I've ever read was more about internal conflict within a character than actual conflicts with other characters. But yeah, at least some of that dynamic tension has to be there, or why read on? Not easy, glad I write songs. ;~)
No truer words were spoken! At the very worst ... plant the _seeds_ of a conflict such that the reader anticipates the _potential_ of the slowly building conflict exploding somewhere down the line. I'm still working on my first novel, but it's such a good feeling when the beta readers are asking: _Can I have the next chapter please?_ 😊
Thanks, Paul. That is always the best thing to hear from beta readers. I changed my whole beta reader strategy based on that. For my latest book that has 12 completed chapters, I gave them 4 chapters, and at the end of those there is a survey link, where I ask some relevant questions. At the end of the survey, there is a link to download 4 more chapters, then another survey link (the survey is very short) with another link to download 4 more chapters, and a final survey.
You are welcome! It is like fuel for writing. It makes things interesting and keeps people reading. I think the best part is it helps readers learn (even though they may not know they're learning).
@@DattaGroover In one of this novels Dostoevsky said that people like when other people suffer. That make them feel better because they saw that life is harder for others then them. Which is conflict too, I think. You know, I saw once when a lioness cornered one unhappy pig in the savanna in one of the holes. The pig squiled and cried lound and you know what? Several other pigs were circling around watching the show with interests, not helping, they felt fear and wonder at the same time.
That's interesting, @hackthesystem417 . Dostoevsky had a very cynical worldview, though he was a brilliant writer. How else would have endured more than 150 years? People and animals are fascinated by conflict, though not all of them ould rescue the pig from that lion. I put a new video out today, and would love to know what you think: ruclips.net/video/SjBBz5WvUPw/видео.html
Interesting point! As a How2 Authoress (Emerging) I see how addressing the 'conflict' within The Reader in response to the topic of Creating Peace Within, is engaging and perpetuates the desire to Keep Reading 📚 ! Thanks for Raise Questions REMINDER to Inspire Inner Questions for The Reader's self-actualization of the How2's!!! Love Your Work Datta 😀
Are you still making youtube videos? I would appreciate one on internal monologue and conflict, how it's delivered on the page. This is my biggest struggle.
I have been giving it a break, but I will do it! Thanks for the nudge. Give me a couple of weeks. We just opened a retreat center, and things are a bit chaotic here.
Based on what you said, I have never read a book more engaging that asks serious questions and resolves conflicts in the mind than the Holy Quran. The art of its composition and beauty of its literature is miraculous. I wish more people will read in their language to experience it hands on.
Thank you for your advice. Can you give us another advice. For example, if there is a room where people were playing cards, and for example there is card sharpie, how deep I should research the trick techniques of card playing? Or for example, there is a space shuttle and there astronautes on the board working, how deep I should study how shuttle works?
Great questions. Some of it you can google and even use Chat GPT to research for you. I've found AI to be a fairly good research tool. Another option is to go on one of the large writer's groups on Facebook and ask if anyone knows an expert on a specific subject. WARNING: For whatever reason, there are some nasty people in these groups and you might get some arrogant condescending answers and trolls. Feel free to ignore them.
You are so right about conflict. When there are bad or mean characters in a book I'm reading, I'm worried for the main character, afraid of what will happen to them. It's the conflict and I can feel it physically and the relief when the conflict is settled. Thank you so much for these tips. As a novice writer, I'm learning a lot from you and I appreciate it!!!!!
You are so welcome, Dr. Elaine.
Don't limit yourself to conflicts between characters. Some of the most compelling fiction I've ever read was more about internal conflict within a character than actual conflicts with other characters. But yeah, at least some of that dynamic tension has to be there, or why read on? Not easy, glad I write songs. ;~)
I agree, Gene. I like having both in a book.
No truer words were spoken!
At the very worst ... plant the _seeds_ of a conflict such that the reader anticipates the _potential_ of the slowly building conflict exploding somewhere down the line.
I'm still working on my first novel, but it's such a good feeling when the beta readers are asking: _Can I have the next chapter please?_ 😊
Thanks, Paul. That is always the best thing to hear from beta readers. I changed my whole beta reader strategy based on that. For my latest book that has 12 completed chapters, I gave them 4 chapters, and at the end of those there is a survey link, where I ask some relevant questions. At the end of the survey, there is a link to download 4 more chapters, then another survey link (the survey is very short) with another link to download 4 more chapters, and a final survey.
Great tip on conflict!
Thanks Stephanie, glad you liked it.
I never heard this, good stuff. I wonder if a question could also be considered a mode of conflict on a page.
It absolutely can, Joy. It all depends on the question and the context of how is asked, and to whom.
Thank you for good advice. Conflict like a fuel for your writing I think.
You are welcome!
It is like fuel for writing. It makes things interesting and keeps people reading. I think the best part is it helps readers learn (even though they may not know they're learning).
@@DattaGroover In one of this novels Dostoevsky said that people like when other people suffer. That make them feel better because they saw that life is harder for others then them. Which is conflict too, I think. You know, I saw once when a lioness cornered one unhappy pig in the savanna in one of the holes. The pig squiled and cried lound and you know what? Several other pigs were circling around watching the show with interests, not helping, they felt fear and wonder at the same time.
That's interesting, @hackthesystem417 . Dostoevsky had a very cynical worldview, though he was a brilliant writer. How else would have endured more than 150 years?
People and animals are fascinated by conflict, though not all of them ould rescue the pig from that lion.
I put a new video out today, and would love to know what you think:
ruclips.net/video/SjBBz5WvUPw/видео.html
I cannot tell you how important these videos have become to me.. I am truly encouraged and challenged to become better at this!
Thanks, Diana. That's wonderful to hear. I'm happy you're finding value in these.
This helps, thank you!
Glad it helped!
Questions is a thing to which I come too in my technology of writing. Thank you. We are on the same page here. ^)))
Indeed we are!
Interesting point! As a How2 Authoress (Emerging) I see how addressing the 'conflict' within The Reader in response to the topic of Creating Peace Within, is engaging and perpetuates the desire to Keep Reading 📚 !
Thanks for Raise Questions REMINDER to Inspire Inner Questions for The Reader's self-actualization of the How2's!!!
Love Your Work Datta 😀
Thanks, Grace-Shanti. Glad that was helpful.
Brilliant. Thank you!❤
You're very welcome!
Are you still making youtube videos? I would appreciate one on internal monologue and conflict, how it's delivered on the page. This is my biggest struggle.
I have been giving it a break, but I will do it! Thanks for the nudge. Give me a couple of weeks. We just opened a retreat center, and things are a bit chaotic here.
Based on what you said, I have never read a book more engaging that asks serious questions and resolves conflicts in the mind than the Holy Quran. The art of its composition and beauty of its literature is miraculous. I wish more people will read in their language to experience it hands on.
Thanks for the example. Keeping people engaged with questions and conflicts applies to all types of literature, both fiction and nonfiction.
Thank you for your advice. Can you give us another advice. For example, if there is a room where people were playing cards, and for example there is card sharpie, how deep I should research the trick techniques of card playing? Or for example, there is a space shuttle and there astronautes on the board working, how deep I should study how shuttle works?
Great questions. Some of it you can google and even use Chat GPT to research for you. I've found AI to be a fairly good research tool. Another option is to go on one of the large writer's groups on Facebook and ask if anyone knows an expert on a specific subject.
WARNING: For whatever reason, there are some nasty people in these groups and you might get some arrogant condescending answers and trolls. Feel free to ignore them.