#plotbuilding

Building tension and conflict in your story is essential to keeping readers engaged. Everyone loves a bit of drama to keep things exciting, which is why this is a critical part of storytelling, no matter the genre. Tension and conflict are what make a story believable and relatable.

Examples of Tension

Tension builds suspense and keeps readers intrigued. Here are a few quick examples:

- Someone acting strangely

- Having a heated debate

- Engaging in a negotiation

- Revealing a secret

Tension like this can emerge quickly in a story, laying the foundation for bigger moments to come.

Examples of Conflict

Conflict, on the other hand, pushes characters into action and creates more intense interactions. For example:

- Starting an argument over someone acting strangely

- Accusing someone of lying during a debate

- Refusing to negotiate a win-win scenario

- Telling the truth about a damaging lie

These examples highlight how tension can escalate into conflict, bringing your story to life. Understanding the relationship between tension and conflict will give you a starting point to practice these essential elements.

The Role of Tension and Conflict

The role of tension and conflict in storytelling is straightforward: they make your characters feel more realistic and evoke emotions in your readers. For instance:

- In horror stories, tension can make readers feel scared through an eerie atmosphere or sudden surprises.

- In dramas or romances, tension can stir anger or frustration when a beloved character faces challenges or misunderstandings.

Ultimately, it all depends on your story’s genre and the specific circumstances of your tension and conflict.

Tips for Building Tension and Sustaining It Throughout Your Story

How you build and sustain tension will depend on the type of story you’re writing. Here are some ideas:

- Romance: Create tension every time a character thinks their love interest might be flirting with someone else.

- Horror: Build tension with every unexplained noise, shadow, or the sudden appearance of a ghost.

To effectively build tension, outline what you want to happen in a scene and brainstorm moments that could heighten the suspense. This "road map" can help you stay focused and spark new ideas as you write.

Examples from My Book

In my book "Finding Hope", tension plays a key role throughout the story. For example:

- Jade’s uncle disapproves of her relationship with Leslie, creating tension as they navigate their growing bond amid external challenges.

- Jade and Leslie face tension within their relationship as they deal with their individual struggles.

- The mystery element of the story introduces even more layers of tension and conflict, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Conclusion

As writers, creating character goals can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when we're on the spot trying to decide what drives them. To help, I’ve compiled a list of goals to inspire your character-building process and add depth to your story.

Personal Goals

Personal goals contribute to character growth and make them complex and relatable. They also bring your story to life:

- Learn a new language

- Practice mindfulness and meditation

- Develop a growth mindset

- Enhance time management skills

- Become proactive

- Master new technology or software

- Start a new craft or hobby

- Improve public speaking skills

- Build self-confidence

- Refine writing skills

- Practice communication skills

- Acquire a new skill

- Become more organized

- Accept limitations

- Hone decision-making abilities

- Cultivate gratitude

- Stay open to new opportunities

- Improve financial literacy

- Diversify cooking knowledge

- Learn to play an instrument

- Solve problems creatively

- Pick up a new sport

- Start a blog or online journal

- Learn to code or build websites

- Become a mentor

- Practice active listening

- Be more empathetic

- Forgive oneself

- Learn to say no

- Manage stress effectively

- Gain emotional control

- Develop patience

- Strengthen resilience

- Foster optimism

- Embrace change

- Live in the moment

- Enjoy simple pleasures

- Appreciate small things

- Explore creativity

Family and Friends

Improving relationships and family dynamics can add rich layers of character development and bonding moments:

- Plan a family vacation

- Spend quality time with loved ones

- Strengthen relationships

- Organize a family reunion

- Host weekly game nights

- Volunteer together

- Enhance communication skills

- Enjoy outdoor activities together

- Practice patience with others

- Expand the family

Finance

Financial goals can introduce real-world challenges that make your characters more relatable:

- Pay off debt

- Create and stick to a budget

- Invest wisely

- Save money consistently

- Consult a financial advisor

- Achieve financial freedom

- Start a side hustle or part-time job

- Negotiate better deals

- Build financial literacy

Career

Professional aspirations are key to relatable character arcs:

- Earn a promotion or raise

- Change careers

- Become their own boss

- Start a business

- Learn new career-related skills

- Network with peers in their field

- Attend career development seminars

- Volunteer professional skills

- Mentor others

- Improve their resume

Travel

Travel goals add excitement, exploration, and opportunities for plot-building:

- Visit a new country

- Explore their local area

- Embark on a road trip

- Experience a cruise

Conclusion

This list provides a starting point for creating meaningful character goals that enhance their journeys and make your story stand out. Whether you use these ideas or create your own, the key is to craft goals that resonate with your characters' personalities and ambitions.

Creating compelling character goals can be a challenge, especially when trying to make a story engaging and realistic. A well-developed goal can drive a character’s actions, shape their growth, and keep your plot moving forward. In this post, I’ll share a variety of goals your characters can have to help them stand out and enhance your storytelling.

Character Goals

Health Goals

Your characters may strive to improve their physical or mental well-being, such as:

- Eating healthier

- Losing weight or getting in shape

- Overcoming an illness or injury

- Building a sustainable self-care routine

Financial Stability

A character working toward financial security adds realism and depth to your story:

- Paying off debt

- Creating a sustainable budget

- Saving money for emergencies or future plans

- Achieving financial independence

Relationship Goals

Developing stronger relationships can be a key motivator for a character’s arc:

- Strengthening friendships or family bonds

- Improving communication in relationships

- Overcoming conflicts with loved ones

- Finding a romantic partner

Career Goals

Career-driven characters often bring ambition and struggle into a story:

- Earning a promotion or raise

- Changing careers for personal fulfillment

- Starting a business

- Expanding professional skills

- Reigniting passion for their current job

- Networking with industry leaders

Personal Fulfillment

These goals focus on self-discovery and inner satisfaction:

- Finding personal happiness outside of work

- Exploring creative outlets or hobbies

- Learning a new skill or trade

- Becoming more confident in themselves

- Practicing mindfulness and meditation

- Becoming a mentor and guiding others

Home and Family Goals

Creating a home or growing a family can add emotional depth to your character’s journey:

- Buying a house or relocating

- Starting a family or having children

- Designing and building their dream home

- Improving family dynamics and traditions

Travel and Exploration

Characters eager to experience the world might have goals such as:

- Visiting a new country

- Exploring local hidden gems

- Embarking on a road trip

- Taking a cruise for adventure or relaxation

Helping Others

Characters focused on making a difference in the world can have motivations such as:

- Volunteering for charitable causes

- Supporting underprivileged communities

- Mentoring younger individuals or newcomers in their field

- Advocating for social or environmental change

Ambition and Leadership

Some characters may strive to leave a lasting impact through leadership and influence:

- Becoming a respected leader in their industry or community

- Developing negotiation and leadership skills

- Fighting for a cause they truly believe in

- Building a legacy through their actions

Lifestyle and Personal Development

Characters driven by self-improvement may aim for goals such as:

- Learning a new language to connect with diverse cultures

- Writing a book to share their story or expertise

- Developing a personal philosophy or worldview

- Practicing problem-solving and adaptability skills

Material and Status-Based Goals

While not all goals are purely emotional, some characters may have aspirations that reflect their ambitions in life:

- Driving their dream car

- Gaining social recognition or fame

- Living in luxury or achieving financial success

- Owning valuable assets

Conclusion

By incorporating strong, realistic goals into your character development, you’ll craft characters that feel well-rounded and engaging. This list offers a starting point, but you should personalize your characters’ aspirations based on your story’s themes and direction. Keep experimenting, and let your characters’ desires shape their journey in unique and meaningful ways.

When Levi first moved into his assigned freshman housing, he only brought a medium sized suitcase. Hanji remembered being surprised at the size of it, thinking to themself that their new neighbour didn’t have that many personal belongings, at all.

They were right- in that suitcase were a few sets of clothing, folded neatly, some personal items, and the rest of it was filled with art materials- pens and brushes and illustration boards, a small portable easel, and a few art prints, carefully rolled into cardboard tubes.

Hanji immediately took a liking to Levi, who had (rather bluntly) asked what pronoun they preferred. That day, hanji bothered him into joining them to go shopping for house supplies with the promise of an art supply store nearby.

They drove back with cleaning supplies, mugs, art materials, and a tentative new friendship.

—-

Boredom was a state, regrettably, that Loki had grown all too familiar with during his imprisonment.

And now, though he'd been gifted the freedom of this World to enjoy, he found it haunted him still. For where else would he find that which would intrigue him if not here in this great Tower, this bastion of mortal innovation?

Where else, if not here, would he find those that knew him and yet feared him not, or minds elevated enough from the masses that comprised Midgard's dreary population that he could converse with them, and not find himself even more wearied by the very exercise?

Thor, though he did make endearing attempts, was not able to assist him, in this regard. Though his brother was most certainly not slow, or ill of wit as Loki himself had insinuated whenever annoyed, he was still no scholar, no sage or sorcerer that might engage him as his mind so craved.

The daily penance of his casting already dispatched, Loki found himself at loose ends this night. It seemed that the Tower was virtually deserted, even his brother absent on some fool's quest or another, presumably at the order of the fierce one-eyed dictator that ran the lives of those he called companions.

In fact, when he reached out with the intangible seeking press of his seiðr, the only life within he found was that of the Man of Iron, enclosed within his laboratory, barred from within and without with strange bonds of metal, glass and light.

Which, of course, offered him a challenge, and to a god suffering so very tiresomely from boredom, it was almost an afterthought that he would pursue it.

It did, to the mortal's credit, take him more than a few moments to solve the puzzles without cheating, even so easily as he could have shifted himself within, and he heard the man's automaton speak as he finally swept inside, but paid it no mind, his eyes flicking about with every evidence of interest.

Because however alien the devices, or how foreign the glimmer of light and word upon the very air might have been, Loki could only perceive it as what it was. A place for inspiration, for creation itself. Where the mind was given berth to run free, and revelation was as expected as drawing breath.

The spiritual servant had drawn Stark's attention to him, now, and Loki smirked as he paused near the doorway, his expression blandly curious, though in truth, he was far more than just curious of the man who stood before him. He could already feel himself adjusting to the subtle shift of another game beginning, and this time, he allowed it free rein.