Allow yourself to become lost in the flow of words!
I’ll never watch another show from the Syfy channel, at least not knowingly. I’ve been burned too many times by seasons that end on cliffhangers. The major conflict isn’t resolved. The characters look like they’ve all died. And you have to wait several months before the show starts again. And by then, the team working on the new season have an all new conflict that want to focus on, if the show even gets renewed. That being said, when done right, a cliffhanger is just the thing needed to keep me engaged in a story.
Strategy:
Ah, the age-old question: to resolve or not to resolve? It's the writer's ultimate dilemma! Do you tie up every loose end in a nice, neat bow, leaving your readers with a sense of complete closure? Or do you leave them hanging, desperately turning the pages for more? The truth is, there's a whole spectrum of possibilities between these two extremes. And that's where the real fun begins! In this exercise, we'll explore the different levels of resolution and how they impact the reader's experience. Get ready to play with suspense, satisfaction, and everything in between.
Instructions:
Conflict Creation: Craft a brief description of a character and their central conflict. Keep it concise, but make sure the conflict is clear and compelling.
Full Resolution: Write a scene where the character completely resolves their conflict. Tie up all the loose ends and provide a sense of closure and satisfaction for the reader.
Unresolved Cliffhanger: Now, write a scene where the conflict is left entirely unresolved. Leave the reader hanging, yearning for more. Embrace the suspense!
Partial Resolution: Find a middle ground. Write a scene where the conflict is partially resolved, but some elements are still left open-ended. Strike a balance between closure and curiosity.
Unintended Consequences: Get creative! Write a scene where the conflict is resolved, but in the process, a new complication arises. This can set the stage for future conflicts or sequels.
Review and Reflect (optional): Review your four different endings. Analyze how each level of resolution affects the suspense and satisfaction for the reader. Consider how you might use these techniques in your own writing.
Tags: creative writing, story structure, conflict resolution, suspense, satisfaction
Category: Story Development > Define Story Boundaries
Example:
Conflict Creation: Sarah, a shy teenager, must confront her stage fright to audition for the school play and pursue her dream of acting.
Full Resolution: Sarah takes a deep breath and steps onto the stage. She pours her heart into her monologue, and the director is impressed. She gets the lead role and overcomes her stage fright, realizing her dream.
Unresolved Cliffhanger: Sarah freezes as she walks onto the stage. She opens her mouth, but no words come out. The director looks at her expectantly. Sarah turns and runs off the stage, leaving her dream behind.
Partial Resolution: Sarah manages to get through her audition, but stumbles over a few lines. The director offers her a smaller role, praising her potential. Sarah accepts, knowing she still has work to do to fully conquer her stage fright.
Unintended Consequences: Sarah delivers a stellar audition and gets the lead role. However, she soon learns that the play's opening night conflicts with her family's long-planned vacation. She now faces a new dilemma.
Review and Reflect (optional): Tune in next week for the last part of this example!