Let's Talk Conflict

Here is another one of those things that so many of you get rejected on when you submit to me. You have no conflict, or your conflict between the characters is simply too weak. We are talking non-fat milk weak. This is something I have talked about a lot here on the blog as well as on all of my social media channels. What many of you think is conflict is nothing more than a complication. So, let's start with the second one.

A complication is something that is easily overcome. I am going to date myself here but think of those 80's sitcoms where someone overhears their roommate talking on the phone and they hear the person talking about "being pregnant." Oh my God! Now what! So the entire episode is spent thinking the person is pregnant when in reality they are talking about the pet dog. How could this have been solved? By simply asking the person. That my friends is a complication. 

Now, when it comes to romances, this is what I often see. The two characters are just not sure if they want to commit to a relationship. They like each other but... are they ready? How do they over come their "conflict" (as you like to call it)? They just have to say "let's do it!" Sorry, not a conflict. 

A conflict means that there needs to be something truly standing in their way. A conflict means that it is going to have to probably be big enough that someone might have to give something up. We often call this the dark moment. I mean, think about this term. We call it "DARK" for a reason. The reader will figure everything is over!

I always like to think of the final scene in Harry Potter Deathly Hollows Part II when Harry tells Voldemort we're jumping. The audience knows this is the end. Their all dying.

But then...

You have forgotten that dang Horocrux thing. This is a dark moment where you really thought all hope was lost!

Now, let's get back to those romances. 

My wife had me watch Office Romance with Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein a couple of nights ago. This, my friends has a true conflict in it. If you have not watched it, please go ant watch it. I am not going to spoil it for you but let me just say, they have to make a decision between romance and career. Even individually they have to decide between careers and their personal family decisions. (That's the best I can give you without spoiling it).  

So please, when you get comments back from editors and agents about conflict, or we need you to "up the stakes" think conflict. This might be where you are lacking!