Conflict

In addition to good characters, you need conflict. I don't talk about this much because it isn't something that I analyze and set out to do. I am more and more an organic writer.

But there must be tension, tension between characters, suspense in the plot...and I don't feel I'm fantastic at that, either, but I do try.

In any event (I woke up to the shock of snow, though everyone knew it was coming, I thought we'd duck it again so I'm a bit gloomy this am and Dingo is unhappy that he can't go out and that his last mouse -- dead, down the toilet -- disappeared without notice) conflict is a must, tension keeps the reader reading. What happens next?

So when I looked at the Luna book, Out of Balance, chapter one was good, because it was one of those that I nailed. Chapter Two...well, I tried to revise to change to the new story line, and made it worse.

Crit group had told me, earlier this year, but I hadn't seen that the conflict has to be really big here, I wanted to feed in the worldbuilding and go. So I threw out Chapter two and I've been staring at the ceiling and thinking.

I think the standard text I use is something like: Problem, Decision, Disaster, so I'm working on that, too.

It will be the best conflict I can make it.

May you enjoy the weather and the activities of the day.
Robin