Add a conflict or don’t…being conflicted within your story…

In today’s episode, we talk with Chad Corrie (www.chadcorrie.com) about conflict in a story. Stories need conflict of some sort to grow, progress, and maintain interest. What is the conflict within your story? How have you let it grow?

Listen in as we discuss the basics and some examples of different types of conflict.

Quote of the week:

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.”

~ Mark Twain

Writing Prompt for the week:

Since we focused on conflict for the topic today, write a poem about your favorite fairytale and, summarizing and growing the conflict even further. Remember poems have all the emotion bottled up in a tiny space, so choose your words and flow wisely…

For short stories or novels, taking a good fairy tale again, use the exisiting conflict to extend the story. Write about what happened after the story ended and one of the characters did not experience the happily ever after…Does a new conflict exist? Or, has just the setting changed.

If you are an author in search of readers or have comments about our show, contact us at:

ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com

615-431-WRIT (9748)

Running Time: 19 minutes 44 seconds

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Tags: Author conversations, Chad Corrie, conflict, notebook, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips

Writing Down the Fairy Tales…If you thought living a fairytale was tough to come by…try writing them…it is fun, but a very different world indeed…

Quotes of the Week:

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”

~Albert Einstein~ Scientist (1879-1955)

“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected.”

~Charles Dickens~ British novelist (1812-1870)

“Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales told me in my childhood than in any truth that is taught in life.”

~Johann Christoph Friederich v. Schiller~ German Poet (1759-1805)

John rambles on about his new fairy tale book…from beginning to separate stories…writing and remembering the audience is important…fairy tales are for a particular, possibly younger audience…what is your feeback? Share some of your thoughts with us if you have written or just enjoy reading fairy tales…

Send us an email to: ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com…Call us at 615-431-WRIT…or provide thoughts on the forum: www.storyinstitute.com/forum

Poetry Topic:

St. Patrick’s Day – Wearin’ the Green

The wearin’ of the green…that’s the day when all those who are not of Irish decent celebrate the lovely story of St. Patrick and his day. From marching in large parades to drinking green beer to eating corned beef and cabbage, this day is about celebrating life and enjoying it. This festive occasion brings about a brotherhood many don’t remember exists the rest of the year. This joyous occasion provides opportunities for grown adults to relive their youth and become a part of new traditions. And, don’t forget the beer.

Choose your path. Choose your subject. Choose you remember of the day, if you can remember. Were you standing in a parade line waiting to march your way down Michigan Avenue hold a freezing piece of metal, praying and hoping that the cameras would not catch your step on the opposite foot from everyone else as you passed by the judging booth? Were you a bystander watching the people walk by, happy, chilled, and throwing candy? Either way, choose your words well, but don’t leave out the pot of gold. Remember poems are simple, but have all the power of a story in a little, tiny space. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Short Story Topic:

Looking for Fantasylands

What is the difference between sprites and fairies? How about fairies and pixies? At some point, they were the same. At some point, they became different. At some point, they just moved away from one location to many. Until one day when another creature finds a document with hints of where each group moved.

What is this document that is found? Who is this other creature? What is the difference? Is there a difference? Will each group be found? Is there a map that goes along with the document? Why did they separate in the first place? Is this a series of short stories?

Decide on the path the character follows. Decide on the mysteries revealed. Decide on the reason for looking for the answers. Decide on the behaviors that separate each group. Decide on the setting. Is it a forest? A swamp? A dessert? All of them? Think about parallels between these groups and ones you know. Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Remember to Imagine, Enhance, and Grow your stories

Running Time: 12 minutes 29 seconds

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Tags: Author conversations, characters, fairy tales, notebook, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips

Find another notebook…Writing from within instead of with…Conversations about writing…John E Murray III

Quote by Dale Carnegie: “Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.”

This week, John ramblings on about finding a new notebook to jot down your creative thoughts and making sure you have a storyline for your novel while being open to it changing and growing…

Poem of the Day by John E. Murray, III

Let Me Not Begin Anew

Let me not begin anew,
Let me spend my days with you, or you, or you.
My friends, my companions, my creation,
Losing you would be a great devastation.
You are my entire being,
The results of my dreaming.
With every word I breathe,
You are able to achieve
New invigorating life,
To help me deal with all the strife.
I need, I want, I feel
Only what I believe real,
That being you
To whom I will always remain true.
So go forth
And let your intensity be shown,
But Please don’t leave me here,
Alone!

Poetry Topic – Sonnet Through Muse

A special relationship deserves to be appreciated and admired. A spouse or significant individual should be told how special they are to you and in your life. Reflect on the happiness they bring. Encourage your muse to show through the relationship and into a being all its own.

Research the great works and sonnets of the classic romantics and develop a style you share with your romantic counterpart and your inner muse. How strong is the connection? How important is the shared togetherness? How far into your heart do you delve to encourage the love you share to make its way onto a blank page or screen? How long is the gaze into the mirrors of your souls? Keep it intense, and encourage the surges of palpitations and emotion. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Sonnet through Muse

By: John E Murray, III

My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun, tis true,

They are a far more brilliant hue.

Coral’s redness may be debated only among sunken ships,

But they may never taste as sweet as my mistress’ lips.

If snow be white, then true purity befriended the seven,

And her silken hair was certainly spun from the clouds of heaven.

Her sweet scent is synonymous with what a fresh breeze brings,

And her voice chimes in time with my delicate heartstrings.

If on Earth there a goddess be,

I am truly fortunate, for she is with me.

Alas, a poet’s pact I break and abuse,

And, as my own words prove, I have fallen for my muse.

I offer no excuses for what my mind has endeavored to create,

But open my heart no matter how long the wait.

Short Story Topic – Clock Stopping

These days, carrying a watch is a pain on the wrist. With cell phones, PDAs, and computers all around us, the need for another form of the constricting value of time becomes less desirable. What happens if the digital clocks just stopped displaying. They still worked. However, only other computerized devices could read the time. You will need to search for a reason and a way to tell time more effectively than having the computer tell you. So, you track down that old pocket watch, give it a few twists, and you realize that you can see more than just the time. You can see…

Decide what it is that the character can see. Tell the story in the first person. Imagine yourself or someone close to you trapped in this environment. Decide on the path your character travels to find solutions. What caused the clocks to stop in the first place? What can be done? Decide on the origin of the wind-up watch. Decide on the story, and write. Post it here, or share elsewhere, but write and enjoy…

Contact us at: ramblingverser@storyinstitute.com; 615-431-WRIT(9748); or share a review on iTunes…follow us on Twitter as well…twitter.com/ramblingverser

Running Time: 18 minutes 28 seconds

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Tags: Author conversations, characters, notebook, writing, writing methods, writing podcast, writing tips