Into the Fire

Over and over again in the writing world writers are reminded that conflict is the key element to sustaining story, to keep it moving, to make it desirable to the reader. And although I agree conflict is a key element, the degree of conflict varies tremendously with the genre.

Over and over again in the writing world writers are told to put their protagonists through the proverbial "hell" on earth, to continue to force him into one horrible situation after another. However, if you're talking love stories without the "star-crossed" or "unrequited love" circumstances, the type of conflict makes a major difference in the reality of the story. The simplicity of the formula in the romance genre (which differs from love stories) keeps the nature of the conflict element fairly simple. Man/woman fall for each other. Man/woman face obstacles. Man/woman are deterred or separated by these obstacles. Man/woman fail to overcome obstacles until . . . they overcome the obstacles and love prevails – simplified for sure but the fairly dependable plan and outcome for most romance novels. The eras might be different, the personality types of the characters, their locations, their social strata, their occupations, etc., all might be different, but the formula remains the same. And conflict is always present, but if the author chooses to be unrelenting with it in a romance novel, it can seem unrealistic and overbearing.

The conflict in well written thrillers is always intense and multi-layered. It continues throughout the story, amping up toward the end and only sometimes being perfectly resolved. In thrillers the protagonist is indeed put through the wringer. It's expected from page one. And acceptable within the genre.

Conflict is necessary to make a story interesting, but it can be overdone. And even wearisome if it seems like a device rather than an authentic storyline. Think about it. How much is necessary before the conflict seems overwritten? And overrated.

Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace, the mender of relationship between God and man, the absolver of conflict between humanity and the Father. You alone bring peace to our souls through your saving grace. Again, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.