Kate Walker delivered a brilliant session on conflict, explaining the difference between external and internal conflict and how to layer it through a story. The first point she made is that conflict is not about arguments or hate, it’s what keeps the characters apart, the problems they have to face and overcome.

External conflict is caused by the outside world or other characters. It could be weather, or an accident or wicked step-mother. A classic example of external conflict is seen in Romeo and Juliet with the feuding families.

Internal conflict comes from within our characters, it is their internal reactions to situations that create and change the story. It is not always a rational emotion and usually the kind that can eat away at a character.

Our characters reactions to this internal conflict will spark off problems which will move them through the story, changing them as they go. Because of this it is important to really get to know your characters, so that you, as the writer, know exactly how they will react. You need to think about your characters as people and know what or who they care about and what matters most to them. If you know your characters well, the readers will care about them and what happens to them in your story. Although the happy ever after ending is known, the reader still wants to read about the problems and suffering your characters go through, because they care. It will matter to them.

Kate describes layering conflict as an onion. As each layer is pulled away, or each internal problem solved, it exposes further layers or dilemmas to be dealt with until finally the core of the onion, or the core of the conflict and story, is exposed.

The example given of external and internal conflict was the secret baby plot. The baby is the external conflict. The list of internal conflict is long. Why didn’t she tell him? Why did they split up? How does he feel about it? Does he want to be a father? What does she want of him now? As the onion is peeled the issues are dealt with, raising more again, until the story builds to a point where all appears lost.

Kate suggested writing a synopsis with nothing other than the internal conflict and emotional changes. Ask the characters questions, such as: How are you feeling? Why did you do that?

Finally romance novels always have both internal and external conflict that shape and change the characters as they move through the story. Without conflict the story would be short as the characters would meet, fall in love and live happily ever after, without facing any challenges.

Written by Rachael Thomas