Writing Conflict

Conflict is essential to story - regardless of genre. The friction between what a character wants and the lengths they will go to reach that goal is what pulls readers through your book. Great conflict is what leaves readers cheering (or crying) at the end of a story. Using humour and her deep knowledge of human behaviour, counsellor and award-winning author Eileen Cook will guide you through the causes of conflict, the differences between internal and external conflict, and show you how conflict resolution techniques can be turned upside down to ramp up the tension in your book.

From respected journalist, professor, and founder of the Writer's Symposium by the Sea, a book that demystifies the art and science of interviewing, in the vein of On Writing Well or How to Read Literature Like a Professor. “Dean Nelson is one of the best interviewers around.”—Anne Lamott...

There are several aspects to writing fiction. Rendering what John Gardner in The Art of Fiction describes as a 'vivid and continuous dream' is a complicated affair. Story is created from the imagination of a writer, who in turn must translate it onto a page of symbols so that another person can read, absorb, and experience the story in a similar fashion. It's a remarkable process when you think about it. In On Creative Writing the process of writing fiction is demystified and cut in palatable bites to help any writer who has the passion and mad desire to tell a story. Reviews: Bitten by ...

The best up-to-date advice on getting funding from governments, corporations, and foundations Whether you're a first-time grant writer or a veteran fundraiser, putting together a grant proposal can be a daunting task. Thankfully, this up-to-date insider's guide shows you step-by-step how to...

"Sumptuous prose and a mind-blowing twist will make sure that readers don't forget The Professor's Wife, an unsettling psychological thriller wrapped in a provocative dark romance." -IndieReader Carl Bingham is a lonely British Literature Professor who has sworn off love and sex since an affair with a student at Skidmore College almost lost him his tenure and reputation. Camilla is a young artist who sits in his classroom, mesmerized by his voice and appearance. Despite their age difference, they fall in love, marry, and feed each other's physical and emotional needs. But when secrets and ...

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states, "Two tigers cannot share the same mountain." However, in East Asia, there are three tigers on that mountain: China, Japan, and Korea, and they have a long history of turmoil and tension with each other. In his latest entertaining and thought-provoking narrative travelogue, Michael Booth sets out to discover how deep, really, the enmity is between these three "tiger" nations and what prevents them from making peace.

Crafting Immersive Fiction: A Comprehensive Guide is the ultimate resource for writers eager to create stories that captivate from start to finish. Whether you're a new writer or a seasoned author, this guide offers the tools you need to craft unforgettable fiction. What’s Inside: Core Elements of Storytelling: Develop complex characters, authentic voices, and engaging arcs. Understand plot structure, from exposition to resolution, and how to balance themes and subtext to deepen your narrative. Building Conflict and Stakes: Master the art of tension, conflict, and pacing to keep readers ...

A powerful and heartwarming exploration of cuisine in conflict zones, highlighting the heroic persistence of people struggling to protect their food culture in the face of war, genocide, and violence. War changes every part of human culture: art, education, music, politics. Why should food be...

Writer’s Block? Struggling with plots and conflicts for your next Bestselling Paranormal Romance novel? Not Anymore… Get your hands on 250 Complete Outlines for Paranormal Romance Novels To Beat Writer’s Block Today. Blocked. Frustrated. Out of Ideas… or just lost? This lenghty and detailed outlines book is just the firepower you need to get you started on your next paranormal romance idea. 250 Complete Outlines for Paranormal Romance Novels offers inspiration for all paranormal romance writers - no matter where you may be in your career. These outlines will catapult your ideas for ...

This guide reveals how writers can utilize cognitive storytelling strategies to craft stories that ignite readers’ brains and captivate them through each plot element. Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what...

Journalist and applied behavioral scientist Elizabeth Weingarten charts a new path to embrace the questions of our lives instead of seeking fast, easy answers. What do you do when faced with a big, important question that keeps you up at night? Many people, understandably, seize answers...

As a college and university instructor and the author of flash fiction, novellas, and the five-book series of novels comprising An Adventure of the Old West, the three-book series A Charlotte Hastings Paranormal Exposé, and the two-book series Vikings: An Epic Adventure, I share a lifetime of learning about writing satisfying, entertaining, fast-paced fiction. Learn to transform an idea for a story into a full-fledged story. Learn forty-two types of characters and how to make them come alive on the page. Learn the one-act, two-act, three-act, four-act, and five-act, character functions, ...

When you know what to say and how to say it, people listen. Find your powerful voice, and step into leadership. Speak with impact. Every day, you have an opportunity to use your voice to have a positive impact -- at work or in your community. You can inspire and persuade your audience -- or you...

Joining the ranks of classics like The Elements of Style and On Writing Well, Writing Without Bullshit helps professionals get to the point to get ahead. It’s time for Writing Without Bullshit. Writing Without Bullshit is the first comprehensive guide to writing for today’s world: a noisy...

Blocked. Frustrated. Out of Ideas… or just lost? Not Anymore… Writer’s Block? Struggling with plots and conflicts for your next Bestselling Fantasy Dragon Romance novel? Get your hands on 50 Complete Outlines for Dragon Romance Novels to beat writer’s block today. This lengthy and detailed outlines book is just the firepower you need to get you started on your next paranormal romance idea. 50 Complete Outlines for Dragon Romance Novels offers inspiration for all paranormal romance writers - no matter where you may be in your career. These outlines will catapult your ideas for swoon-...

Being human sounds like an obvious pursuit, but when change is constant and uncertainty is the norm, we all need some encouragement to lean into who we have the full potential to be. The task of preparing ourselves for and becoming comfortable with the unknown has shifted the way people live and work. Pivoting whilst staying true to oneself seems not only necessary to survive, but to grow and thrive. The personal and shared success can be multi-directional. Generally, it starts with pursuing self-awareness, the magic ingredient needed to authentically navigate personal challenges, ...

Move beyond good writing and reach the human heart. This concise guide shows how to create fiction that’s felt as well as understood. Written by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr James P. Manning, it reveals how the language of emotions helps writers build believable inner lives, authentic conflict, and empathy that keeps readers engaged. Learn why the body reacts when reading and how to craft scenes that leave a lasting mark.

Whether you're an aspiring or experienced romance author, The Romance Writer's Playbook is an indispensable guide to crafting compelling romantic fiction. From brainstorming ideas to mapping out intricate plots all the way through to publishing, this book leads you step-by-step through the entire creative process. Learn how to build dynamic characters and intriguing conflicts that will capture readers' imaginations. Discover the narrative elements that lend emotional depth and keep the pages turning. Study genre conventions and incorporate popular tropes and steamy scenes. The Playbook ...

Whether in a meeting or a presentation, a watercooler conversation or a formal speech, a leader’s most important job is to. Your idea may be groundbreaking. The potential profits might be exhilarating. The time to act may be right now, but if you’re not able to craft and deliver a clear...

Writer’s Block? Struggling with plots and conflicts for your next Bestselling Vampire Romance novel? Not Anymore… Get your hands on 50 Complete Paranormal Vampire Romance To Beat Writer’s Block Today. Blocked. Frustrated. Out of Ideas… or just lost? This lengthy and detailed outlines book is just the firepower you need to get you started on your next vampire romance idea. 50 Complete Outlines for Vampire Romance Novels offers inspiration for all paranormal romance writers - no matter where you may be in your career. These outlines will catapult your ideas for swoon-worthy heroes and...