Comments on: Caveat

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:36:24 +0000

Thanks Jane! Yep, killing off works for me. 🙂

By: mulberry

mulberry — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:58:05 +0000

LOL on killing off your characters' families. I'm wrestling with this one now as I try to edit my Presents comp entry.

Please keep sharing your lightbulb moments! It's fascinating seeing how other writers solve the same issues we all face in our stories.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:59:44 +0000

Hi Alice, thanks for commenting! Yes, that’s so true. That kind of stuff all helps get an overall impression of the character and how they’ll respond to the major conflict. I tend to forget about the small stuff. 🙂
BTW, you’re not the only one who doesn’t like conflict. I don’t in real life, but love it in my stories. But then, I’m a drama queen.:-)

By: AliceAnderson

AliceAnderson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:55:48 +0000

Conflict has always been one of my “areas”…b/c i don’t like conflict. There, I’ve said it. I much prefer peace and quiet, not friction, not arguing, not “opposites attracting.” But when I read a book with obviously very little conflict I realized just how dull stories are without it.

I attended a great workshop at M&M on conflict. Molly O’Keefe gave it. She mentioned how even the smallest conflict will show your character’s character…how does he/she react to not being able to get the pickle jar open when all she wants in the world at this moment is a pickle?

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:14:34 +0000

Lorraine, think I already had got knotted. Trying to unravel myself at the moment…

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:53:20 +0000

Really interesting post again Jackie. I think given several published authors say they still get into knots over conflict, to never get knotted would be be a miracle.
Not that I’m telling you to get knotted 🙂 Erm, leaving your blog now, promise! Thanks for sharing with us and opening up debates.

By: Maisey

Maisey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:57 +0000

Oh, okay! :-D

Thanks for the compliment, btw.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:37:53 +0000

Maisey – I’ll keep an eye out. 😉 I agree it is a tricky balance. Your story sounds interesting. Hurry up and get published would you? 🙂

By: Maisey

Maisey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:36:49 +0000

Grrr…posted as my husband again. To avoid confusion is that ever happens and I miss it, we have the same last name and he’s a very sexy dark complected man holding a guitar. But it’s not really him, it’s me. And I’ll try to watch that!

Haha. So true. I tend to have these looming spectres in the background that never physically appear, or only do so very briefly. Actually, my hero in my WIP has a dead wife and unborn baby and she features strongly because of her relationship not only with him, but with the heroine. She’s there, but never THERE. Always tricky to try and balance that out.

By: Haven Yates

Haven Yates — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:30:55 +0000

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