I often think of my storyline when lying in bed trying to fall asleep. I just enjoy thinking of possible twists and turns for the story and maybe a new, unique trait for one of my characters. Sometimes, like last night, it exposes a hole in my story that I was terrified I had missed for so long.
I had no conflict to resolve in my short story.
I’m writing that in the past tense because I have since worked out a plausible conflict that fits well into my story, so all is well that ends well. But it makes me wonder what else I’m missing in my story? What other oversights have I made? And – is this normal? Do all writers do this?
I remember hearing that writers will often write themselves into corners with no way out. I seem to recall hearing that is what happened to Stephen King while writing “The Stand,” and that’s why the bomb goes off, essentially resetting everything. That I can see happening. But to not even realize there is no conflict to resolve in your story? That is a horrible mistake and a rookie move! And the fact that I know it’s a rookie mistake is even worse. I don’t know exactly how, but it sure feels that way as I’m writing this now.
It’s also why this post is so late in the day. I’ve spent a good amount of time working out the kinks of the conflict so it aligns with my story so far and where I need to get it in the end. And now that the crisis has been averted, I’m now wallowing in my stupidity, questioning if I should even be doing this.
BRANDON KELLER.NET 