KIT receives more fiction
than nonfiction. I guessing authors
believe it’s easier to write and to get published. But that’s not necessarily true. If authors fail to incorporate believable conflict in their fiction, they will probably have a harder time finding a market for their work.
In a recent fiction submission, conflict was present, but misplaced. The main character, a young boy, didn’t face a problem. Instead, he learns of a tragedy through his parents. After listening to his folk’s plan to help the victims, he too, decides to assist. The young boy acts nobly, which sends a terrific message to readers. But since true conflict is missing, the ending becomes predictable.
In a recent fiction submission, conflict was present, but misplaced. The main character, a young boy, didn’t face a problem. Instead, he learns of a tragedy through his parents. After listening to his folk’s plan to help the victims, he too, decides to assist. The young boy acts nobly, which sends a terrific message to readers. But since true conflict is missing, the ending becomes predictable.
For fiction, conflict must touch
the main character in a meaningful way.
Consequently, the stakes are raised and we care about the main character.
In this story, the author could have
placed the child closer to the tragedy and had him personally affected. This would have helped readers
become more emotionally connected to the young boy as he learns to tackle the problem.
Whether the story is for children
or adults, all fiction must contain conflict.
Below is a conflict check list when writing for kids:
Present the conflict early in
the story to hook your readers.
Create a meaningful conflict which
directly affects the main character.
Choose a conflict that kids
can relate to.
Build on conflict to
create tension and suspense.
Have main characters solve
the conflict themselves without any help from adults.