Does a character have to fail for a story or novel to have enough conflict?ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
Published:
December 15, 2011 Interesting question! And it’s a sticky one, too, as the idea of
“failure” isn’t always clear-cut. If your character sets out to win his
beloved’s hand, but ends up realizing something else is more important,
has he succeeded or failed? Additionally, a character who always
succeeds may, in fact, find his conflict in that success when his wife
becomes envious and angry.
While a character may or may not fail,
he should be human and, as a result, flawed. Like humans, characters
succumb to their weaknesses, get in their own way, and misunderstand.
They want something they cannot have, flash anger when they should
embrace, carry guilt when they should forgive themselves. This quality
creates authenticity and conflict. |
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