This week, we focus on: The Struggle
If you’re not following, check out our April mini-course introduction.
Your character must struggle to overcome this opposition
This struggle creates tension and drives the story forward. The struggle must also be realist and rooted in the world and the character’s abilities.
Don’t make smart people act dumb. Everyone hates that. Like the rocket scientist who runs straight away from a train instead of off to the side.
Include three attempts to make it feel earned
There’s something magical about the number three.
It feels satisfying to readers, makes your story far more engaging and shows the character has tried hard enough to win.
How do you do this in 300 words? Hint, tell, and cheat.
Bob hit the canvas for the third time. For the third time, he heard the count, and willed his body to get back up. Fighting the urge to let ten be the end.
Show the character’s progression
Each setback and attempt should prove that the character is not approaching the conflict correctly and still has much to learn.
This should reach a moment where the character finally understands what they need to do to overcome the obstacle.
Use the struggle to reveal character
The way your character fights for what they want and their choices define their personality and values.
JenX didn’t give a shit about rules. She wanted out of this situation and his hand off her damn ass. Two bullets to the head removed it double time. But the cops, well, that was another thing to add to her damn to do list.
Make the stakes clear
The struggle should have high stakes, with real consequences for both the character and the world around them.
Like in the JenX example above, it’s clearly life or death for any schmuck who cops a feel. And well, now she’s got admin too.
Always remember to show, not tell
Unless it’s not important or you’re pressed for time and words or you just need to get from A to B fast. Show emotions through actions and dialogue.
Make the resolution satisfying
It should be clear to the reader how your character overcomes their obstacle, what they’ve learned, and that they’ve earned it.
Now, get writing!
A few Story core prompt options
Take your pick or come up with your own, it’s all good.
Emma is a young witch who wants to prove herself to her coven and become a respected member of the magical community. But her inexperience and lack of control over her powers make her a liability to her coven. She struggles to overcome her doubts and master her abilities, but will she unwittingly unleash a powerful force that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear?
Max is a space explorer who wants to discover a new habitable planet for humanity to colonize. But his spaceship is hit by a meteorite, causing him to crash land on a hostile alien planet. He struggles to survive in the harsh environment and repair his ship to get back to Earth, but will he discover a horrifying secret about the planet that makes him question everything he knows about the universe?
John is a post-apocalyptic survivor who wants to find a safe haven for his family in a world overrun by zombies. But his lack of resources and constant danger make it difficult for him to keep his loved ones alive. He struggles to overcome the obstacles and protect his family, but will he have to make a sacrifice that will haunt him forever?
300 words for the story bits.
300 words are tight, so focus on a single moment where the story turns.
Get us in and out quickly, make us care, and surprise us in the end.
Tag your story as you like, e.g. Fiction or Flash Fiction
But don’t use Writing Prompts please.🙏 link back to the prompt so others can find it too.