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Every novel needs conflict and tension. No, EVERY scene. If it doesn't, than your manuscript may need more revision. Take this test pasted below to find out:
Test by author Kathleen O'Reilly
1. Does one of the characters have to change in order for the conflict to be resolved?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
Both characters change, Score 2
2. Can conflict be resolved with a good, honest heart-to-heart between your characters?
Yes, Score 0
No, Score 1
3. Is it believable the one character (or both) would be leery of a relationship because of your conflict?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
Ask this question to someone else who's read your story. If they say yes, add one bonus point.
4. Is conflict resolved because of sacrifice on one character's part?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
If BIG sacrifice, Score 2
5. Must one character abandon their story goal?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
6. Does conflict occur ONLY because one character does not trust the other character enough to have a heart-two-heart talk?
Yes, Score 0
No, Score 1
Score 9: Perfect SCORE!!!! Your conflict is right up there with Shakespeare or Lorraine Heath!
Score 5-8: Good job! Thorough, consistent, believable. Character development is entwined with conflict. Grisham could learn from you!
Score 0-4: You are too nice a person. Watch the evening news, go stand in line at the post office, or try to go through the express line at the grocery story with too many items. You must learn how to truly torment your characters properly.
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
Both characters change, Score 2
2. Can conflict be resolved with a good, honest heart-to-heart between your characters?
Yes, Score 0
No, Score 1
3. Is it believable the one character (or both) would be leery of a relationship because of your conflict?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
Ask this question to someone else who's read your story. If they say yes, add one bonus point.
4. Is conflict resolved because of sacrifice on one character's part?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
If BIG sacrifice, Score 2
5. Must one character abandon their story goal?
Yes, Score 1
No, Score 0
6. Does conflict occur ONLY because one character does not trust the other character enough to have a heart-two-heart talk?
Yes, Score 0
No, Score 1
Score 9: Perfect SCORE!!!! Your conflict is right up there with Shakespeare or Lorraine Heath!
Score 5-8: Good job! Thorough, consistent, believable. Character development is entwined with conflict. Grisham could learn from you!
Score 0-4: You are too nice a person. Watch the evening news, go stand in line at the post office, or try to go through the express line at the grocery story with too many items. You must learn how to truly torment your characters properly.
Bestselling author, Kathleen O'Reilly wrote her first romance at the age of eleven, which to her undying embarrassment was read aloud to her class. After taking over twenty years to recover from the profound distress, she is now proud to announce her new career - a romance author. Kathleen lives in New York with her husband and their two children who outwit her daily.
You can visit Kathleen at www.KathleenOReilly.com
You can visit Kathleen at www.KathleenOReilly.com
Quote:
“I’m turned off when a writer feels the need to fill in all the backstory before starting the story; a story that opens on the protagonist’s mental reflection of their situation is a red flag.”—Stephany Evans, FinePrint Literary Management
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