Writing - Conflict 2

Following on from last week, I've been thinking about the can of worms that is conflict. It ranges from toddlers nipping at each other to all-out war. 

 Like all processes, there are beginnings, developments and outcomes. The beginnings are virtually anything because conflict arises from reactions of individuals, which in turn are dependent on personality and learned personal preferences. When we write conflict into our stories, these are factors that can bring about a flashpoint. So there is an initial stimulus, which can vary according to who is the recipient of that stimulus. 

Then there is some type of reaction, which, once again, can take almost any form and doesn't have to be extreme, but for the players is significant. The fighting toddlers may cry and shout, young adults may indulge in a fist fight, or gangs may carry out more serious crimes. The explosion can take a myriad of forms. Within the explosive behaviour, there are opportunities to explore how such conflicts develop and then are resolved. 

Then the resolution may be a handshake, a hug, or a social gathering. Again, almost anything, depending on those involved. 

When we are developing situations for the entertainment of our readers, there is no limit to what we can imagine and include. At the same time, you can use real events that have occurred, like 9/11, an accident, and so on. The process is under the influence of the protagonists and the resulting narrative needs to be consistant. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 159 - Brain Power

 A simple question with a plethora of answers, few of which are wrong. How do they con people into voting for them? (Fill in the names from your own experience).

Lucy

 

If we could use more of the power

of our brains, increasingly by the hour,

would our lives be any easier,

or would existence be a little trickier?

 

Some would pay to use that much!

Their ‘off’ behaviours demonstrate such.

Knowing there is more use to be had

suggests they’re perhaps not doing too bad.

 

But then living on the Earth are those

whose brain activity is set at doze,

and allowing them to engage with us

is risky if not dangerous.

 

We all go through our lives hoping

that our bustling brains are great at coping,

and if we strive to keep them busy

we may end up as bright as Lucy.

© David L Atkinson September 2014 

God Bless

Writing - Conflict

 Seems simplistic to talk about conflict in a blog about creative writing. Conflict, with all its elements, is an inevitable part of story writing. Even the most sugary love stories will have moments of disagreement – conflict. Superhero tales are packed with conflict; disaster movies have it; Christmas stories have conflict and resolution. 

So what is conflict? It is defined as –

a disagreement or argument about something important

 

In all examples, there are at least two opposing positions. Emotions, people, countries, and so on. There are stages in conflict, which I am not an expert in, but like education, we all have some experience of the processes involved in conflict.

For example, there is usually an initial low-level issue, not always, but often.  This is followed by some negotiation, but quite often it is inadequate in arriving at a solution. This may be because the levels of emotion and attention may not be fully invested. The cycle is a descending situation. It may happen in this way because the antagonists are jockeying for dominance. Eventually,  the situation may descend into violence of the tongue, or even physical violence.  At every stage there are opportunities to break into the process and effect change.

 

So conflict, to some degree, is flexible even though protagonists are apparently intransigent. These facts are an indication of openings for communication. As such, opportunities for dialogue, from the writers’ point of view, are useful in the production of stories. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 158 - Did God Paint You?

 Another nudge in the direction of global survival. An earworm in the lugholes of big pharma, big corporations, big business, and all those who believe that they are bigger than the rest of us. 

Did God Paint You?

 

Your green is so green and petals that bright,

I wonder if I’m getting it right, 

surely cannot be an accident - did I misconstrue,

did God paint you? 

 

With wings so fine and white,

working efficiently in haphazard flight,

darting, soaring, riding thermals into the blue,

did God make you?

 

So many creatures in the world to see,

from enormous leviathan to tiniest flea,

each with an encyclopedia of behaviours to accrue,

did God design you?

 

Yet there’s one that struts upon the earth,

displaying a myriad of talents from the moment of birth,

claiming a planet stewardship they may some day rue,

should God take the blame for you?

©David L Atkinson August 2026 

God Bless 

 

Writing - Observation and Atmosphere

 If you have read any of my work before, you will have observed that I believe in serendipity. Happy accidents, in short. Probably an oversimplification, but adequate for today. Such occurrences can supply moments that may be useful in your writing. If you have your power of observation fully activated as you go about, such moments will present themselves.

 

At the time of writing it is August, school holidays in the UK, which influences traffic flow in our towns and cities. I had to journey into Bradford, something I do perhaps 2 or 3 times a year. Well, today was different. The motorway and major roads were as busy as ever, but when I arrived at my destination, it was as if Armageddon had occurred. Streets were deserted of traffic and pedestrians; there were parking places, and some businesses were boarded up. Really unusual but logical, as some businesses close during August. But the atmosphere was bleak. 10.45 in the morning, and it was quite chilling.

 

This type of experience lends itself to imaginative descriptive writing and may fit into a story you’re writing.  It could simply be a period of the day when deserted streets are usual, or something more fanciful. I remember deserted places during Covid in 2019. What use you put it to is up to you, but following my mother’s advice – don’t go about with your eyes shut! 

God Bless

Poetry Thursday 157 - Brain Fizz

 There has always been plenty of examples of older generations whining about changes that have occurred in their lifetime. It will probably always be the same. It seems this time with technology and in particular AI. 

Brain Fizz

 

It seems to me since 2023 and possibly for some time before

there is a greater incidence of brain fog and possibly much more.

It seems to me this may come from over stimulations

the need to make quick choices and more rapid accommodations.

 

It seems to me like driving a car and arriving at a junction

 not allowing oneself adequate time to make the correct decision.

It seems to me like coke shaken violently in a bottle,

brown bubbles charged ready to burst forth at full throttle.

 

It seems to me what we really need is time for thoughtful reflection,

time to weigh up pros and cons and make the right selection.

time to carefully consider the reason for our choices,

time for someone to listen to the older ones voices.

©David L Atkinson August 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - Elders

 When I used to think of 'elders' I would have a default picture in my head of a little old guy sat in the shade of a tree, dispensing wisdom to anyone willing to listen. A scenario that may be true in a small number of places in the world these days. More frequently, elders are shuffled away somewhere quiet so they can do little harm. 

When creating the team that is at the centre of the Steele novels, I felt that the sagacity of years needed representation. I introduced a couple of older people there to dispense wisdom and moral standpoints where relevant. 

When writing stories, the inclusion of wise counsel can add depth to the story and engage more readers. It allows people to empathise with the actions that are included in your writing. To agree or otherwise with the actions taking place. 

The characters you introduce to play this role will come from your own life experiences. We have all known of or met this type of sage person and how we embody them into stories can be a fun exercise in itself. 

God Bless