Prompt #46

I’m packing to move and the wheels on one of my suitcases broke. Not broke off, but actually disintegrated to the point where there is a black chalky stain on the carpet where I tried to roll it. This is not a major obstacle but boy did it feel like a bad omen.

This got me thinking about the concept of conflict and obstacles. I read somewhere (or heard somewhere, don’t know where sorry) that opposition (ie. conflict) comes in three forms/levels: Annoyances, Obstacles, and Adversaries.

Annoyances are simply inconveniences like the wheels on my suitcase. Sure, a barrier to my objective (packing), but a problem that’s easily solved. It slows me down, but doesn’t take me out of the game.

Obstacles are significant, and can often be problems of our own making. For example, I brought the broken suitcase back home from my parents house accidentally….when there were plenty of functional options to choose from. My fault. My problem. A character makes a decision that backfires-this is an obstacle. Those giant blocks that block your path during Mario Kart, also obstacles. These can cause varying levels of destruction to their plan, and is a great way to escalate conflict and make it thematically relevant to your story.

The last one is adversarial opposition. This means an antagonist is actively trying to keep you from your goal (ex. My friend sabotaged my luggage….a working theory).

I love having this in the back of my head to create levels of conflict in my stories. Sometimes if enough Obstacles or Adversaries are in your way, all it takes is one Annoyance to cause someone to completely lose it. You can layer and stack these in your story to achieve the desired effect. So let’s play around with it!

Write three versions of a short scene/passage/medium of your choice where someone has a clear goal they are in pursuit of. In version 1, an annoyance gets in their way. In version 2, an obstacle gets in their way, and in version 3, an adversary gets in their way.

Set a timer and write for at least 10 minutes!

I’m watching Sundance at Home!! (except not Twinless because they took it down before my viewing date because of piracy!! This is why we can’t have nice things.)

I’m reading The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran which I started before realizing they have a 12 Week Year for Writers…..

I’m listening to… the new Bad Bunny album.

My resolution for this year is to grow our community here! So, if you wouldn’t mind sharing this newsletter with a creative friend, I would so appreciate it!

Also, we moved to Beehiiv!! Welcome!! I feel bad for making everyone download the Substack app just for them to turn it into a un-moderated social media hellscape. This is better.