Mastering Conflict in Your Novel: 3 Tips
By Nancy Johnson | July 1, 2021 |
Nancy Johnson’s debut novel, The Kindest Lie, continues to build new audience–and fans–which means it continues to keep Nancy very busy! But she found some time between those demands and the demands of her day job to pull together a wonderful video for us this month on MASTERING CONFLICT.
Email subscribers, you’ll need to click through HERE to view it.
Enjoy!
Readers, how do you draw out and develop conflict in your stories? Have you ever flipped an idea on its ear in order to explore an unconventional or unexpected conflict choice? What did you do, and how did it work for you? The floor is yours!
A native of Chicago’s South Side, Nancy Johnson (she/her) worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television journalist at CBS and ABC affiliates in markets nationwide. Her debut novel, The Kindest Lie, was a Target Book Club Pick. It has been reviewed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times, and was featured in Real Simple magazine and on Entertainment Weekly’s Must List. It was a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection and was named one of the most anticipated books by Newsweek, O, the Oprah Magazine, Shondaland, NBC News, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Chicago Tribune, The New YorkPost, Good Housekeeping, Parade, Refinery29, and more. Booksellers nationwide selected her novel as an Indie Next pick and librarians chose it for LibraryReads. A graduate of Northwestern University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nancy lives in downtown Chicago and her second novel, People of Means, will be published by William Morrow/HarperCollins in early 2025.
Find out more about Nancy, her books and events on her website.
Great tips Nancy. Your debut novel sounds intriguing — Congratulations!
Cecilia, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy The Kindest Lie!
Thank you, Nancy, for defining this so well. I couldn’t agree more, but I also couldn’t express it as you have. I’ve learned over time that if a scene that’s supposed to convey tension instead sounds hollow or falls flat, it’s for the reasons you cited. I think of the problem as mere surface tension caused, largely, when I don’t delve into the “deeper” truth that should be powering the conflict. Again, thank you for your succinct talk. I’m glad to hear you’re so busy in a good way.
Christina, that’s certainly been the takeaway for me over the years. Exploring that deeper truth makes the conflict so much more resonant. Thanks!
Great post, great book!! I’ll bookmark this and go back to it again.
Carol, I hope you find my tips helpful when you review them again. Happy writing!
Hiya Nancy:
First, I love the video format. It felt like I was in the room with you, having a conversation.
Two, I think all three of your points are invaluable.
Regarding the first: I’m plotting out the step sheet for the next novel and, as always, the first task is laying out the (likely) sequence of events. But that’s not going to bring the story or the characters to life. The relationships and what they mean and what the stakes of losing them are is the next step in not just sequencing those events but understanding why and how they matter and need to be in that order.
I love the tip about dialogue and what’s left unsaid. I studied acting, it’s where I learned about scenes and dialogue (and writing, frankly), and I often say that Harold Pinter taught me about subtext because his plays are all about silence — both the kind where nothing is said (or it’s left unsaid), and where a barrage of words is used to conceal the character’s nakedness.
Your third tip also resonated. Again, returning to my step sheet, it’s time to plot out not just the exterior conflicts and arcs but the interior ones. Because that’s where the juice is.
Thanks. Great to “see” you!
David! It’s wonderful to “see” you again, too! Glad the video approach worked. I’ll have to try that again. Yes, I’ve definitely learned that the relationships and the stakes are key. Taking time to build out the interior conflict is essential work for me. The juice is always worth the squeeze! ;)
Dear Nancy, I don’t go for videos much but I wanted to listen to you and so happy I did. You are gracious and lovely. Your three tips: about relationships, subtext, internal conflict–the core (couer) makes me want to read your story even more. I finally ordered it. I cared about your story people from the very first time I learned about them, which was more than a year ago. And that is central for me to read a story–to care for the them. Too often, even with interesting stories, I am not invested because I feel nothing. So thank you for writing your story and sharing so much here on WU.
Vijaya, that means the world to me. You’ve always been so kind. I hope you enjoy The Kindest Lie. :)
Great tips! I liked your examples too and plan to check out your book. Thanks.
Betty, I’m glad my tips on conflict resonated with you. Thanks a lot, and I hope you enjoy The Kindest Lie! :)
Betty, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy The Kindest Lie!
Great post, Nancy, and most timely. One of my current WIPs revolves around the troubled relationship between an unmarried woman and her recently widowed mother. All three of the points you highlighted come into play, and they all need work! Thanks for the assist.
Christine, I’m delighted that something I said in the video is helpful for your WIP. I’m constantly searching for inspiration and tips as I write book two. The learning continues! Thanks!
I loved the video format, Nancy. It was so personal to see you and hear your voice and the interesting details about your upcoming book. Thank you for the great, succinct tips on conflict, too. Great stuff, and potential plot points that I always need to remind myself of when I’m outlining/brainstorming a new book. I took notes!
Hi, Kimberley! It’s great to hear that the video worked. I agree that it’s an effective way to connect more personally. I’m glad you found the information helpful. Happy writing! :)
Hi, Nancy. Thanks for these great tips and the video format is so cool! You are a great communicator. I especially liked the point you made about dialogue. What is left unsaid can often lead to major conflict. There is a subtext looming in what is said and what is left out. I have used this technique in my fiction writing. In family dynamics, parents and siblings often withhold their true feelings and keep secrets, sometimes to avoid confrontation and other times to not hurt people. This can cause a simmering conflict to blow up when it all comes out. I thoroughly enjoyed, “The Kindest Lie.” It deals with important topical themes and the pacing of the story kept my turning the page. All the best to you and have a great summer.
Hi! Great “seeing” you! Dialogue has always been a challenge for me. Thinking about the subtext around what is said and left unsaid has helped me tremendously. Thanks so much for your kind words about my novel. I’m glad you enjoyed. Happy writing! Hope to see you at the next UnCon! :)
This helped spark lots of thought about conflict between the main characters in my novel. Is there enough evidence of the relationships to give readers reason to care? And you are an excellent communicator re video. Not all have that gift. (Me included.)