Why Nice Characters Equal No Conflict
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Uploaded by KMWeiland on Jun 28, 2011
Explains why creating characters who are overly nice can slam the brakes on your story's conflict and momentum.
Historical and speculative novelist K.M. Weiland offers tips and essays about the writing life to help other writers understand the ins and outs of the craft and the psychology behind the inspiration.
http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com
http://www.kmweiland.com
Intro music by Kevin MacLeod: http://incompetech.com/
- 7 likes, 0 dislikes
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An easy way to make friction is to have the characters be trying to accomplish a similar goal but for different reasons. Naturally, the ways they attempt to achieve their individual goals will conflict with each other.
Sairin13 7 months ago
@Sairin13 Or have characters trying to reach different goals for the same reason. Both techniques can go a long way toward raising interesting moral questions and deepening characterization and theme.
KMWeiland 7 months ago
One should take note about conflicts, that is minor vs. major conflicts. Character conflicts between people on the "same side" should be minor, while conflicts between the MC and the villain/antagonist should be the major (central) conflict that drives the narrative.
Ralfast 8 months ago
@Ralfast Generally speaking, you're right - although it can make for interesting originalities to create major conflicts among "same siders."
KMWeiland 8 months ago