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.

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...

A Heart Made of Letters shows how to rebuild broken relationships through intentional communication. Drawing on psychology and neuroscience, it explains why silence damages connection and offers practical tools—letters, deep listening, small daily acts, and constructive conflict—to repair fractures. For anyone estranged from a loved one or stuck in relational silence, this book provides a compassionate, step-by-step path back to each other.

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 keeps...

Compelling and straight-shooting wisdom for coping with whatever challenges life throws at us from the New York Times bestselling author of Unfu*k Yourself. In Unfu*k Yourself, Gary John Bishop taught millions of readers how to silence the negative, self-sabotaging voice in their head to thrive...

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, ...

Lord Dunavin has survived the night of bloodshed and stands upon the dawn of a new day. Filled with varying emotions as he receives news of the war's result and the expected actions of the remaining leadership, he faces physical weariness along with an even greater conflict of mind and soul. As the brave and thoughtful knight wrestles mentally and philosophically over what the changes of war mean for his future and that of his city, he has the opportunity to voice his thoughts to those who will hear him. Does anyone understand his real conflict? Now that the city is safe because of his ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

One of Israel’s most profound thinkers tells the riveting, real-time account of the hours, days, and months after Hamas’s invasion of Israel. On the morning of October 7, 2023, Hamas ruled Gaza invaded Israel and launched a brutal massacre against Israelis and global war on the Jewish people. Einat Wilf—thinker, former Israeli parliamentarian, and author—began sharing her profound responses to the horrors of October 7, what led up to it, and what it meant for the future of Israel, Palestinians, and the world. Through posts on X and excerpts from columns, interviews, and speeches, ...

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 ...

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...

Business and communications coach Erin Weed shares her radical system to uncover your own operating system in order to bring your full self, work, and communications into crystal-clear alignment. Erin Weed is a coach and CEO who has helped hundreds of speakers around the world find what drives...

"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 ...

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 ...

The Writing Craft Series for Indie Authors by Sidney St. James Writing a novel is only half the battle. Finishing it strong—and turning it into a book readers can’t put down—is where most writers stumble. The Writing Craft Series for Indie Authors is a professional, step-by-step guide created specifically for independent and self-published authors who want to write better stories, faster—and publish with confidence. Drawing on decades of real-world writing experience and over 150 published novels, bestselling author Sidney St. James breaks down the craft of fiction and nonfiction ...

For teen boys who want to write fiction that actually works, this is a writing guide built on craft, not fluff. Write Stories That Work is a practical guide to writing stories with tension, strong characters, meaningful conflict, sharper dialogue, better openings, stronger endings, and plots that hold together. It does not treat writing as vague self-expression, and it does not talk down to the reader. It treats storytelling as a skill that can be learned, practised, and improved. Inside, Hannah Sutton breaks fiction craft into clear, usable parts. Readers learn how to create story ideas ...

Brought to you by Penguin. A leading genocide scholar explores the history of Zionism, Israel’s lurch towards extreme oppression and violence, and why it stands accused of crimes against humanity Professor Omer Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv and served in the Israel Defence...