Conflict & resolution

In this lesson we're going to look at several types of conflict, but we're going to use the same highlighters each time.

Protagonist vs antagonist represent opposing forces in the scene.

• Protagonist means, roughly, whoever or whatever we identify with in the scene—the primary point of view.
• Antagonist means whoever or whatever opposes that point of view.

The protagonist and antagonist, and the nature of their conflict, will change from snippet to snippet, but you'll see that what is consistent is this toggling dynamic, flipping back and forth between them as they struggle.

Note: We're not using these terms in the conventional way

Conventionally, 'protagonist' and 'antagonist' refer to specific characters in a story. Since not every conflict is between characters, we are going to be apply these labels more loosely. 

This also means that at certain points the highlighting will be very subjective and hand-wavey, so treat it as approximate rather than precise.

One of the challenges when writing a fight scene is keeping the action organised in time and space, particularly when multiple characters are involved.

Notice how many sentences in the snippet begin with an adverbial or prepositional phrase (and how the verb group in "I'd been hoping" sets up parallel timing):

I rabbit-chopped his arm as hard as I could hit, then grabbed the gun and swung it upwards. I'd been hoping he'd drop the gun with the shock of my hit; he didn't, but he lost his grip on it and had to snatch at it to try to get it back. At that moment, Lee knocked the man's cap off and dropped the belt over his head. Now, fighting two battles at once, the man got confused; he tried to push me away and at the same time turned to attack Lee. Then Homer arrived with a rush and, between us, we prised the gun out of the man's grasping fingers. He knew he was in trouble then.

When you write your own variation, make a deliberate effort to use these types of words and phrases to clarify the timing and sequencing of your action.

Notice how in the snippet and the zombie example, whoever loses the conflict dies.

Meanwhile, in the taxidermy example, if the intruder loses they maybe have to pay a fine or go to jail (and feel angry), while if the narrator loses they have to spend money cleaning up (and feel angry).

These are examples of different stakes—meaning the consquences of winning or losing the conflict.

We'll talk more about stakes later, but for now think about what each side wants to win, and what they stand to lose.

Bigger is not always better! Any stakes will be interesting and compelling if the characters care about them.

• Think of a physical fight that could take place in your world.
  • Who's the protagonist? What do they want? What do they stand to lose?
  • Who's the antagonist? Same questions!
• Describe the fight, alternating between the two sides.
• Note that either side could be an individual or a group.
• Pay attention to phrases (adverbial and prepositional) that help you communicate timing and order of action.