Weekly Writers' Journal Prompts: Battle stations - where's the conflict?

Conflict is part of life. It must be part of your writing, too. This week, see how many different kinds of conflict you can identify in what you read, and in situations in your life. Make a list. Whenever you can identify a conflict, it gives you the seed of a story.

If a piece doesn't have conflict, it's not worth writing, so "where's the conflict?" applies when you're writing nonfiction, too. For example, let's say you're writing an article about the latest diet, guaranteed to strip fat off you faster than liposuction. Look for conflict. Provide balance. Interview people who've succeeded on the diet, as well as people who've failed on the diet, and doctors who say it's dangerous.

Write 350 words about current sources of conflict in your life. And remember - whenever you start a new piece of writing, ask yourself: "Where's the conflict?"

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