Do You have Enough Conflict In Your Novel?

enough conflict

Do You have Enough Conflict In Your Novel?

As Amanda Patterson, founder of the excellent site, Writers Write,   wrote in 17 Ways To Make your Novel More Memorable, you need to structure your book as a roller-coaster ride. It should be a physical journey that forces your reader to vicariously experience a series of emotions. Pace it. Give us moments of respite and then throw us back into the action.

You need to give your protagonist and your antagonist story goals. These story goals should be in conflict with each other. Tell a story where your readers can empathise with both your hero and your villain. Make both of them memorable and interesting.

But how do you tell if you will have enough conflict in your novel?

Go to the Writers Write site and you can answer their conflict test and find out.

http://writerswrite.co.za/the-12-question-fiction-writing-conflict-test

How did YOU get on?

I applied this test to my new rough draft novel Ridge Walker sequel, provisionally titled ‘Green on Blue.’

My score of 13 was more than adequate!  I think my characters need a rest!

 

Let me know what you think of the twelve questions!

 

Alex

On the NaNoWriMo Winners podium for the second time!

Alex Breck on the NaNoWriMo Winners' podium again!

 

One of the NaNoWriMo Winners again in 2014!

Phew! I have written the bare bones of a complete novel, over 50,000 words in just 30 days through November to be be able to proudly stand on the NaNoWriMo Winners’ podium for the second time!

To be honest I am happy just to have completed NaNoWriMo successfully this time, after an awkward month beset by unforeseen problems with work and family.

But it’s a satisfying feeling to be able to say that at last the sequel to He Who Pays The Piper is almost complete and in the editing stages!

I hope that it will have been worth the wait! It’s a fast paced international thriller like the first book but this time Ridge Walker is flung into a complex situation on the complete other side of the world. Can he win this bloody battle between dark forces as old as mankind himself?

What next?

As promised, there will also be a nasty stand alone Scottish thriller out in the early Spring. It’s a dark noir piece but laced with irreverent humour and it pays homage to some of my favourite authors such as Hiassen and Brookmyre.  Although I wouldn’t for one moment put myself up on the same podium as them. It’s one thing to be among the NaNoWriMo winners’ but these guys are something else. Plus I’ve met Chris Brookmyre and no-one can dance an expletive across the page with more panache than him.

I am currently working on a book of short stories of my own and also editing a themed anthology of stories from local authors here in the Highlands of Scotland which should prove interesting.

How is YOUR writing going? This is the time of year to knuckle down and get those creative juices flowing. Especially over here in Scotland where it’s now dark most of the time and raining the rest!

Always interested to hear how you’re getting on, you know!

 

Take care,

 

Alex x

 

#NaNoWriMo