From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story

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Story check: Suspense and conflict

Story check: Suspense and conflict

From the course: Writing: The Craft of Story

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Story check: Suspense and conflict

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- In order to give your readers the thrill of anticipation, you've got to give them a taste of the conflict that's at the heart of your story. Here are the questions to ask to be sure you're on the right track. First, what are the specific this versus that sources of conflict? Can we anticipate what the protagonist will have to battle in order to achieve his goal? Can we begin to calculate the emotional cost he'll have to pay? Second, are the seeds of future conflict planted right there beginning on page one? Readers love being one step of the protagonist. Have you given them enough hints so they can anticipate the problems that the protagonist might not yet be aware of? Third, does the conflict force the protagonist to take action? The one thing you don't want your protagonist to be is passive. So no matter how much he'd really rather sit this one out, don't let him. Make sure the story forces him to take action. Fourth, if you're…

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