As I’ve disputed in another article, ‘beautiful writing’ is an illusive standard which writers should best avoid.
The reason for this is because what one finds ‘beautiful’ isn’t necessary what the next person will find compelling.
And while I still maintain the point, there is, however, an element in storytelling which makes a story good.
That element is called ‘conflict’.
Conflict is the fuel behind intrigue. It is what keeps a reader reading.
There are two types of conflicts: external & internal conflict.
External conflict is what happens outside of your character’s body. Namely, the story’s world.
It may be a violent war. It may be a brawl happening in a pub. It may be your character butting heads with another character.
Every moment of tension happening outside of your character is external conflict.
On the other hand, internal conflict is conflict which happens within your character.
Examples of internal conflict include conflicting misbeliefs, peculiar PTSD’s, specific anxieties, inexplicable fears etc.
All that which your character experiences, which makes them doubt themselves, or which rocks them to their core is internal conflict.
Now, why is conflict such an important element? Can’t all just be ‘good’?
Unfortunately, while goodness is what we seek in the real world, it isn’t at all what we – as readers – seek in a story.
Readers want to be entertained. They want to feel like the text in their grasp is alive with unpredictability.
Conflict, because of its intrinsic chaotic nature, is the main way a writer will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
In fact, I will take it a step further: if each chapter of your book doesn’t contain a form of conflict (whether external or internal) or a form of mystery, you are poising yourself to losing your readers’ attention.
Used deftly, conflict can do an array of various things. It can conjure mystery. It can invite empathy. It can move one to tears. It can enrage you to the point of throwing the book to the other end of the room (which is a good thing, as it means the reader is invested in the story).
So, to conclude, the mindset writers should have isn’t one aimed at writing beautifully. But rather one which aims at writing an engaging text.
And if the latter is your goal, conflict – believe you me – is what will help you get there.
Achike Morgan
© Copyrights 2023 Achike Morgan.