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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7241-Juggling-Plates-and-Adding-Conlict.html
Drama: September 30, 2015 Issue [#7241]

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Drama


 This week: Juggling Plates and Adding Conlict
  Edited by: Dawn Embers Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

An Elf Drama Newsletter

Talking about taking on too many things, the stress and how adding that type of problem to a story for the main character to handle might help increase the drama.


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Letter from the editor

I often have a lot to do. Between work, gym, my writing, random forums to post in and other online obligations, there is always something I could be doing. This having a lot to do can create some stressful moments. Ever stare at your "to do" list, see how much is on there, panic then get absolutely nothing done because the sheer number of tasks overwhelmed you? Happens sometimes. It can be hard to tackle the mountain of tasks at times.

So, what does this have to do with drama? I'm glad I asked.

Having too much to do can add drama to our own lives, certainly. Not to mention stress and the occasional eye twitch (oh college was fun). However, it can also be a method of increasing drama within a story.

Does the character not seem to do much? Or does it take too long to get to the intense drama and/or conflict in the story? Maybe this could help.

Consider the length of story and what you are trying to get your characters to do. Then try giving them more to do and a timeline. If the story meanders too much it can be easier for the reader to put down or click to something else online. You don't need to jam pack it every moment, but find the right pacing and amount of conflict to keep them interested. Having a character with more than one task and maybe even a set of conflicting tasks where a decision has to be made can help with that.

Caveat - If you're writing a flash fiction story, in particular, or just a rather short story, you may want to limit how much you add when it comes to building up the conflict. Word count ranges do affect the amount of conflict that can be brought into a story because there is a big difference in what one can do within a novel (70-100,000 words) versus a very short story or flash fiction (less than 2,000 words).

So, how much does your character have to do today? How much do I have to do today? I'd better go do three of them. *Wink* Happy writing and conflict creating times ahead, enjoy them.


Editor's Picks

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Ask & Answer

Have you tried ramping up a story by giving your character too much to do? Did it help?


Last time I discussed different locations for drama and one person sent in a comment on the newsletter.

Comment by Quick-Quill Author Icon
Drama is an illusive word/genre to me. I think all my stories are drama. I like to write about people in situations, deep character description and how they use everything they can to get out or through it. Even in my Port, there are many types of stories, yet most of the ones that people connect with are what I call drama. Maybe I'm just a confused writer?
I like your Newsletters. Still confused, but I'm doing all you say.

- Drama is hard to see as its own. I don't really go to the drama section in the bookstore for example (fantasy or YA mostly). I think you have it pretty well though because drama is linked to conflict and that is something important to telling stories. It can be a part of many stories and in fact, should be.

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