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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7028-Conflicting-Goals.html
Drama: June 03, 2015 Issue [#7028]

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Drama


 This week: Conflicting Goals
  Edited by: Kit
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Every character has at least one goal, one dream, one aim... but what happens when their goals are in conflict?

This week's Drama Newsletter is all about goals and character development.

kittiara


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Do you have a goal? As I write this newsletter, I am right in the middle of completing my final paper of the study year. Which means that, yes, I should be working on that rather than this newsletter, but you, as my readers, matter, and it is also my goal to provide you with some inspiration for the week ahead. My goal of achieving a good grade, and my goal of writing this newsletter are in conflict. Isn't that often the case?

Every main character needs a goal, a dream, an aim. These goals can be anything – getting a good job, finding a husband or wife, becoming a parent – all the many things that people want in life, and many more if your story or novel are fictional. Not many of us would want to cause chaos and destruction, after all, but some characters do – see the James Bond novels, for example.

As in real life, a character might have conflicting goals. He or she might want to climb the career ladder, yet also want to be a good husband or wife, and it can be difficult to find a balance. Or they might want a child, whilst their partner does not want to, and they also want to maintain their relationship with them.

This tension between goals can add a touch of drama to your story. It will also help your character to develop – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Either which way, your character won't be bland and that is important if you want to maintain the interest of your readers.

There are many routes you can take to resolve the conflict. For example, in The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, the main character, Samantha, is a high-powered lawyer about to make partner in the firm. Her personal life, however, is a disaster – she has no time for rest or relaxation, let alone a romantic relationship. Then, something goes wrong at work. Horribly wrong. She has a breakdown, runs away, and ends up at a house in the middle of the countryside to ask for help... only to be mistaken for the expected interviewee for a housekeeper position. She ends up going for it, and her life undergoes some radical changes.

The Undomestic Goddess is a pretty light-hearted novel. However, it does contain some elements of drama, and a good dose of character development, mainly through the gradual priority changes Samantha experiences. This is a strategy authors can employ in more serious novels.

Another strategy that can be used is one where conflicting goals or interests come to a head-on clash. Your character might have to make a decision, there and then – the job or the husband/wife, a baby or the husband/wife, becoming the ruler of the world or ensuring the happiness of one's own people.

These things happen. In Napoleon and Josephine – A Love Story, author Theo Aronson, who has placed a lot of research in his biographies, describes how Napoleon's Empire was affected by his goal to advance his family members' interests – he appointed his brothers and sisters parts of the Empire even though they were wholly unsuited to lead. And, of course, it is well-known that he gave up the love of his life, Josephine, because it was necessary to produce an heir, something which hadn't happened during their marriage.

You can think as small or as big as you like, from a love of crochet to politics, war, religion... the choice is yours. Though you might discover a few conflicting goals of your own along the way. Good luck!


kittiara




Editor's Picks

Here are some of the latest additions to the Drama genre:

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#2043323 by Not Available.


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#2043182 by Not Available.


 Love Battle  (E)
A shorter poem about my abusive ex boyfriend.
#2043284 by Addie Quinones


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This item number is not valid.
#2043071 by Not Available.


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#2043065 by Not Available.


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#2043106 by Not Available.


And a couple of contests you might be interested in:

FORUM
I'll Give You a Sentence Contest  (ASR)
I'll give you a starter sentence, you give me a story!
#1926350 by Nikola~It's a Girl!


FORUM
WDC Teen Contest  (13+)
A teen- themed contest FOR EVERYONE! NEW ROUND- March/April
#2036804 by Dragon is hiding

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

The Drama Newsletter welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Drama Newsletter Team

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