My Conference Presentation--How To Write Kick Butt Conflict

Well, as most of you know, I'm presenting at the Utah Valley Writers Lecture Series tomorrow on How to Write Kick Butt Conflict Using Action and Suspense.

As I've been prepping, there's several parts that are screaming for audience participation.  The only problem is, I'm worried that people might think I'm weird.  Or a few croutons short of a salad if you get my drift.  I mean, if someone is teaching you about building suspense and anticipation and has a large pin in their hand, would you be scared to be asked to come up and be an "assistant?"  Or, if we're talking about fight scenes, wouldn't it be more fun to "act" things out?  Oh man, my imagination is running away with me.

I even made a handout for my class. Want to see it?

Creating Kick-Butt Conflict Using Action and Suspense

by Julie Coulter Bellon

Conflict and suspense are two of the reasons we get lost in a book.  No matter what genre it is, we want to see what’s going to happen and how these characters will overcome the obstacles facing them.  Yet, sometimes writers don’t focus enough on keeping the tension taut and their readers in suspense.  These conflict techniques will make your writing compelling to any reader, draw them in, and keep them reading.

The Whole Point of the Story

            Main Conflict

            Secondary

What’s Your Problem?

            Internal

            External

Raise The Stakes¾As Kenny Rogers Would Say Know When to Hold ‘Em

            Reader Expectation

            Realism

            Deadlines

The Clock is Ticking¾Have You Created Suspense and Anticipation?

            Scene Pacing

            Hooks

            Tension

Is It Over? Resolution or Twist? Tips on What to Do and What to Avoid

            Organic

            Maguffins

            Deus ex machina

Writing Nuts and Bolts¾Choose Your Words

            Sentence Length

            Story Pacing

            The Tension Chart

            Character Goals and POV

Tips for Writing Action Scenes

The Domino Effect

Juggling the Action

True to Life

Tempo

           

Consequences

As you can see above, I even used my Kenny Rogers reference! I am so excited about this class. I wish you all could come. I mean, if you read that handout, wouldn't you want to come to it? Maybe I should have jazzed it up and put a graphic of a bomb under the table or something. Hopefully it's as fun and interesting in real life as it has been to prepare for it. And that people think it's helpful. Cross your fingers for me, okay? And maybe send good thoughts to the people I rope into being my "assistants." *evil grin*

What are you going to do this weekend? Anything fun?