Richard L. Fricks

Creating Dynamic Characters: The Art of Internal and External Conflict

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

Characters are the beating heart of any story. While a gripping plot can draw readers in, it’s the characters—flawed, complex, and relatable—that keep them turning pages. Today, we’re exploring how internal and external conflicts shape your characters and make your story unforgettable.

What is Internal Conflict?

Internal conflict is the struggle that takes place within your character. It’s their inner demons, fears, desires, or doubts. This type of conflict drives emotional depth and creates a character readers can connect with on a personal level.

Examples of internal conflict:

A young woman torn between loyalty to her family and pursuing her dreams.
A detective haunted by guilt over a past mistake that affects their current case.
A hero questioning their ability to live up to the expectations of others.

What is External Conflict?

External conflict arises from outside forces that challenge your character. It can be another character, society, nature, or even a ticking clock. External conflict drives the plot and forces your character to act.

Examples of external conflict:

A group of survivors trying to escape a zombie apocalypse.
A lawyer fighting a corrupt system to save an innocent client.
A family stranded in a snowstorm, battling the elements to survive.

The Power of Combining Conflicts

The most memorable stories blend internal and external conflicts seamlessly. When your protagonist’s internal struggle impacts how they handle external challenges, it creates a rich, layered narrative.

For example:

A firefighter afraid of heights must confront this fear to save someone from a burning building. The external conflict (the rescue) mirrors the internal conflict (overcoming fear), creating a compelling arc.

Practical Steps to Develop Dynamic Characters

Start with a Core Conflict: Decide on the primary internal and external conflicts for your protagonist. Ensure they’re interconnected.
Explore Their Past: What experiences or traumas shaped your character’s internal struggles? Use these to inform their decisions.
Build Tension: Show how external pressures exacerbate internal struggles. Let readers see your character’s growth as they face these challenges.
Allow Imperfection: Flaws make characters relatable. Let them make mistakes and learn from them.

Edge Coaching Tip:

When crafting internal conflict, use subtext and subtlety. Show, don’t tell. For example, instead of stating, “John was afraid of failing,” show his hesitation, fidgeting, or avoidance when faced with a challenging task.

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a scene where your protagonist’s internal conflict directly impacts how they respond to an external challenge. Experiment with subtext to reveal their inner turmoil.

Next Tuesday, we’ll delve into how secondary characters can amplify your protagonist’s journey and reinforce the story’s themes.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

The Power of Place: Infusing Fiction with a Sense of Home

STORY INSIDGHTS--FRIDAYS 
This post will weave together elements from Sharpening the Edge, The Pencil's Philosophy, and Edge of Reality. You'll find real-time insights from my writing desk, transformational aspects of the writing journey, and exploration of how current events can enrich our fiction. This post helps you connect craft with creativity, reality with imagination.

One of the most compelling ways to draw readers into a story is to create a vivid and evocative sense of place. Whether it’s a bustling city, a sleepy small town, or a desolate wilderness, setting can shape your characters, inform the plot, and act as a character itself.

Why Place Matters in Fiction

The setting isn’t just the backdrop for your story; it’s the world your characters inhabit. It influences their behavior, motivations, and conflicts. A well-drawn setting:

Anchors readers in your story’s reality.
Provides opportunities for mood, symbolism, and thematic depth.
Adds authenticity to your narrative.

Think of classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, where the town of Maycomb is inseparable from the themes of justice and prejudice, or The Shining, where the Overlook Hotel becomes a living, breathing antagonist.

Drawing Inspiration from Reality

Start with what you know. Your hometown, a favorite vacation spot, or a place that left a deep impression on you can serve as inspiration. For example, my own writing often draws from the landscapes and rhythms of life in Boaz, Alabama. By weaving real-life details into your fiction, you create a world that feels grounded and relatable.

Edge Insight Tip: If your setting is based on a real place, change enough details to make it your own. Alter street names, local landmarks, or cultural elements to create a fictional version that suits your story’s needs.

Transforming Place into Story

Here are some ways to infuse your fiction with a strong sense of place:

Use All Five Senses:
- What does the air smell like? Is it crisp with pine, heavy with exhaust, or salty from the sea?
- What do characters hear in the background—birdsong, traffic, the distant hum of machinery?
Let Setting Shape Conflict:
- Could a mountain range isolate your characters and heighten tension?
- Does a tight-knit community provide both support and stifling expectations?
Let Characters Interact with Their World:
- Show how your protagonist navigates their environment. Do they cherish it, resent it, or feel trapped by it?

Current Events as a Springboard

The world around us constantly changes, and those changes can spark ideas for your fictional settings. Consider how climate change, urbanization, or shifting cultural landscapes might affect the places you write about. Could a town threatened by rising sea levels provide the backdrop for a tale of resilience? Could gentrification turn a cherished neighborhood into a battleground for identity and belonging?

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a short paragraph describing a setting for your story. Focus on sensory details and how the place shapes your characters’ emotions or decisions. Share your paragraph in the comments or use it as a foundation for your next scene.

Next Friday, we’ll explore how to craft settings that reflect your story’s themes and amplify its emotional impact.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

The Foundation of Every Great Story: A Strong Story Core

Every great novel begins with a solid foundation—a Story Core that holds the entire narrative together. Whether you’re a discovery writer (pantser), a meticulous planner (plotter), or something in between, identifying your Story Core early can save you hours of revision and keep your narrative on track.

What is a Story Core?

At its heart, the Story Core is the central driving force of your novel. It’s made up of three key elements:

Protagonist’s Goal: What does your protagonist want more than anything?
Conflict: What stands in the way of achieving that goal?
Stakes: What happens if the protagonist fails?

Without these elements working in harmony, even the most beautifully written prose can fall flat.

Why Your Story Core Matters

A strong Story Core:

Provides focus and direction for your narrative.
Keeps your characters’ motivations clear and believable.
Gives readers a reason to invest emotionally in the story.

Practical Steps to Identify Your Story Core

Ask the Big Questions:
- What does my protagonist want?
- Why can’t they have it?
- What happens if they don’t succeed?
Refine Your Answers: Be specific. “Save the world” is vague. “Stop the reactor before it melts down and destroys the city” is clear and immediate.
Write It Down: Create a one-sentence summary of your Story Core. Example: A timid librarian must confront her fear of public speaking to save her town’s historic library from demolition.

Edge Coaching Tip:

If you’re struggling to clarify your Story Core, step away from the plot for a moment. Focus on your protagonist—what do they fear, love, or regret the most? Often, your Story Core is buried in their deepest desire or most haunting fear.

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a one-sentence Story Core for your current project. Share it in the comments or keep it as your guiding light for this stage of your draft.

Next Tuesday, we’ll dive into how to align your plot points with your Story Core to create a compelling narrative arc.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

New Year, New Stories: Finding Fiction in Fresh Starts

Welcome to Story Insights, our Friday exploration of writing life and creative discovery. Here you’ll find real-time insights from my writing desk, reflections on the writing journey, and ways current events can enrich our fiction. Whether you’re mining life for story ideas or seeking deeper meaning in your work, Story Insights helps you connect craft with creativity, reality with imagination.

As 2025 opens, Bret Johnson, the protagonist of The Boaz Student, faces his own new beginning. Like many questioning their inherited beliefs, he returns to school after Christmas break, knowing everything has changed. His former youth group friends have chosen sides. His sister’s questions grow bolder. His parents’ concern deepens.

From the Writing Desk

This week’s challenge: capturing the weight of return. How does a seventeen-year-old navigate a familiar space when he’s no longer the same person who left it? In Chapter 16, Bret walks those school halls with new awareness, seeing the prayers posted on lockers, the Bible verse announcements, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes posters through changed eyes.

Progress: 873 words, mostly focused on the subtle shifts in hallway dynamics. Sometimes the smallest details carry the most truth.

Real World Resonance

A local news story caught my attention: “Students Lead Interfaith Dialogue at Mountain Brook High.” While different from Bret’s experience, this story of students creating space for diverse beliefs offers interesting parallels. The article describes how a student group organized lunch meetings where peers share their various faith traditions and philosophical perspectives.

What fascinates me as a novelist:

The courage required to start difficult conversations
How physical spaces (like a lunch table) become symbolic
The ripple effects of small actions
The power of student-led initiatives

Transforming Truth into Fiction

This real-world story enriches my understanding of Bret’s journey. While he starts his philosophy club from a place of questioning rather than inclusion, both narratives share core elements:

Young people seeking authentic dialogue
The school as both setting and symbol
Community resistance to change
The price of speaking up

Writing Forward

As we begin 2025, I’m reminded that every story is about transformation. Whether in fiction or life, new years and new chapters share this truth: change demands both courage and cost.

Next week: examining how winter’s starkness serves story themes.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

The Pencil’s Philosophy—Endings and Beginnings: The Writer’s Journey Through Change

THE PENCIL'S PHILOSOPHY - THURSDAYS
Welcome to The Pencil's Philosophy, my Thursday focus on writing as transformation. Here you'll explore how writing connects to deeper understanding, how questioning leads to growth, and how stories transform both writer and reader. Whether you're seeking truth or finding your voice, these posts guide your journey of discovery.

At year’s end, writers face a paradox: our stories need endings, yet every ending seeds a new beginning. Like our characters, we navigate constant change, each completed draft launching us toward the next story.

The Cycle of Creation

Endings and beginnings interweave:

First drafts end in revision’s birth
Character arcs close as new ones emerge
Stories conclude as ideas spark
Years close as fresh pages open

Writing Through Transition

Change demands:

Letting go of old stories
Embracing uncertainty
Finding rhythm in chaos
Building from endings

The Writer’s Evolution

Each story transforms:

How we see the world
What questions we ask
Which stories we choose
Where we find meaning

Moving Forward

Your writer’s journey mirrors your characters’:

Face the unknown
Accept change
Find truth in transition
Begin again

As this year ends, remember: every period ends a sentence, but also marks the space before the next one begins.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

First Edge—Starting Your Writing Journey in the New Year

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Merry Christmas!

So you want to write a novel in 2025. That dream has been waiting, hasn’t it? Waiting while you read craft books, watched writing videos, followed author blogs. Waiting while you thought about characters, imagined scenes, planned someday. Today, let’s turn someday into Day One.

Your Permission Slip

Dear Writer,

You have permission to:

Write badly
Start in the middle
Not know the ending
Change your mind
Make mistakes
Begin again
Call yourself a writer

Signed,
A Fellow Beginner

Your First Steps

Choose Your Starting Point

A character who won’t leave you alone
A scene you can’t stop thinking about
A question you need to explore
A story that demands telling

Create Your Space

A corner desk
A favorite chair
A morning coffee shop
A quiet library nook

Set Your Schedule

Early morning words
Lunch break paragraphs
Evening chapters
Weekend writing

Simple Truths for Beginners

All first drafts are messy
Every published author started exactly where you are
Your voice matters because it’s yours
There’s no single “right” way to write
You learn by doing

Your Writing Foundation

Start with:

One dedicated writing hour
One notebook or document
One story idea
One commitment to yourself

Build from there.

Practical First Week Plan

Day 1: Write character notes
Day 2: Sketch a scene
Day 3: Explore setting
Day 4: Draft dialogue
Day 5: Connect ideas
Day 6: Review and plan
Day 7: Begin your story

When Doubt Creeps In

Remember:

Every writer starts as a beginner
Perfect is the enemy of written
Progress beats perfection
Small steps create novels
Today is always the right day to start

Moving Forward

Your novel begins with one word, then another. It grows sentence by sentence, scene by scene. The only magic is in starting, in putting words on the page, in giving yourself permission to begin.

2025 is your year to write. Not because you’re ready—no one ever feels completely ready. But because your story matters, and it’s time to tell it.

What will you write first?

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Edge Coach—Three-Point Scene Analysis for Stronger Endings

EDGE COACH - TUESDAYS
Welcome to Edge Coach, my Tuesday focus on professional story development. As a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I share techniques to strengthen your writing and engage your readers. Whether you're revising your first draft or polishing your final one, Edge Coach offers practical guidance for your story.

The Three Points Every Scene Needs

Character Change

Entry state vs. exit state
Emotional transformation
Knowledge gained or lost

Story Movement

Plot advancement
New complications
Stakes escalation

Reader Experience

Question answered
New question raised
Emotional impact

Applying the Three Points to Scene Elements

Entry Hook

Establishes character’s initial state
Sets scene tension
Poses story question

POV Goal

Drives character movement
Creates story momentum
Raises stakes

Scene Middle

Develops complications
Shows character agency
Builds tension

Scene Climax

Forces character change
Answers scene question
Creates consequences

Exit Hook

Shows transformation
Plants next scene’s seeds
Maintains momentum

Scene Name

Reflects main change
Highlights key element
Aids revision tracking

Analysis in Practice

When analyzing your scene, ask:

What changes for the character?
How does the story advance?
What does the reader gain?

If any point is missing, your scene needs strengthening.

StoryCoach Tips

Track all three points in your scene outline
Verify each element serves multiple points
Ensure changes ripple forward
Connect points to your story’s theme
Build each scene’s points toward your ending

Remember: Strong scenes need more than structure—they need meaningful change on multiple levels.

#SceneStructure #WritingCraft #StoryEditing #ThreePointAnalysis #WritingTips #StoryCoaching #SceneWriting #RevisionStrategy

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Sharpening the Edge—Mid-Book Crisis: Wrestling with Chapter 15’s Plot Snarl

SHARPENING THE EDGE - MONDAYS
Welcome to Sharpening the Edge, my Monday focus on real-time novel writing. Here you'll find insights from my current work-in-progress, sharing challenges, breakthroughs, and solutions as they happen. Whether you're in the midst of your novel or planning to start, these posts offer practical experience from the writing desk.

In The Boaz Student, Chapter 15 finds Bret Johnson at a crucial turning point. After challenging the mandatory prayer at a school assembly, he faces escalating isolation. The plot threads have tangled: his former youth group friends’ increasing hostility, a surprising ally in his skeptic philosophy club, and mounting pressure from both faculty and family.

## The Current Snarl

– Bret’s private doubts becoming public stands

– The philosophy club’s growing influence vs. administrative resistance

– Former best friend Marcus’s betrayal of confidence

– Family dinner scene that threatens to expose everything

## Working Through It

1. Mapped core conflict: Authentic self vs. Community acceptance

2. Listed consequences: Social isolation, family tension, academic impact

3. Identified subplot connections: Other questioning students

4. Connected to theme: Cost of intellectual honesty

## Today’s Breakthrough

While outlining possible paths, I realized Bret’s crisis parallels his younger sister’s growing curiosity about his changes. Both must navigate between comfortable acceptance and uncomfortable questions. This parallel strengthens the theme and clarifies the plot direction.

## Next Steps

1. Revise confrontation with Marcus

2. Strengthen sister’s subplot

3. Layer in consequences of assembly protest

4. Build tension toward family Christmas dinner

Sometimes plot snarls reveal deeper story truths. What looked like a structural problem was actually a character development opportunity.

Progress today: 847 words

Cumulative draft: 42,316 words

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Creation Edge—Mastering Multiple Endings with Scrivener’s Snapshot Feature

CREATION EDGE - SUNDAYS
Welcome to Creation Edge, my Sunday focus on writing technology. Here you'll learn how to use Scrivener to organize, write, and revise your novel. Whether you're setting up your first project or managing your manuscript, Creation Edge helps you make technology serve your creativity.

Not sure which ending best serves your story? Scrivener’s Snapshot feature lets you explore multiple possibilities while keeping all versions safe and accessible. Here’s how to use this powerful tool effectively.

Taking Your First Snapshot

Before creating alternate endings:

Select your ending scene in the Binder
Click the camera icon in the toolbar, or use Documents → Snapshots → Take Snapshot
Name your snapshot (e.g., “Original Ending – Happy”)
Add a brief description of the ending’s key elements

Setting Up for Multiple Endings

Create a clear organization system:

Make a folder called “Alternate Endings”
Create separate documents for each version
Take snapshots of each attempt
Use clear naming conventions (e.g., “Ending_Bittersweet_v1”)

Using Snapshots Effectively

Comparing Versions

Click the Snapshots button in the Inspector
Select two versions to compare
Use the comparison tools to see changes
Make notes about what works in each version

Rolling Back Changes

Select the version you want to restore
Click “Roll Back” to revert to that version
Or use “Roll Back to Selected” for partial changes

Advanced Snapshot Strategies

Version Tracking

Date each snapshot
Add detailed notes about why you made changes
Track emotional impact of different versions
Note connection to various story themes

Mixing and Matching

Use snapshots to combine elements from different endings
Track which elements work best together
Create hybrid versions from successful elements

Organization Tips

Keep your endings manageable:

Create a spreadsheet linking to each version
Track the pros and cons of each ending
Note feedback received on different versions
Document your decision-making process

Best Practices

Always snapshot before major changes
Use clear, descriptive names
Add detailed notes to each version
Keep your comparison notes in the project
Regular backup your entire project

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When to Take New Snapshots

Before significant changes
When trying new directions
After receiving feedback
When combining elements

Managing Multiple Snapshots

Regular cleanup of unused versions
Clear labeling system
Folder organization
Backup important versions

Moving Forward

With Scrivener’s Snapshot feature, you can:

Explore different endings safely
Track your revision process
Compare versions easily
Make informed decisions
Keep all options available

Remember: The perfect ending might combine elements from several versions. Snapshots help you find that ideal combination.

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Craft Edge—Emotional Beats in Holiday Scenes: Using the Emotion Thesaurus

CRAFT EDGE - SATURDAYS
Welcome to Craft Edge, my Saturday focus on fiction writing craft. Here you'll find deep dives into writing techniques using One Stop for Writers and Fictionary resources. Whether you're developing characters or structuring scenes, Craft Edge helps you master the tools of storytelling.

Holiday scenes can easily fall into cliché territory. Today, we’ll explore how to use One Stop for Writers’ Emotion Thesaurus to create authentic emotional moments in your seasonal scenes.

Common Holiday Scene Pitfalls

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify what makes holiday scenes feel flat:

Overused physical responses (tears of joy, racing hearts)
Predictable emotional patterns
Surface-level sentimentality
Lack of emotional complexity

Using the Emotion Thesaurus Effectively

The Emotion Thesaurus offers multiple categories for each emotion. Let’s explore them:

Physical Signals

Instead of common responses, consider:

Micro-expressions
Unconscious gestures
Physiological changes
Action tendencies

Internal Sensations

Layer emotion with:

Visceral responses
Body temperature changes
Muscle reactions
Nervous system responses

Mental Responses

Show thought patterns through:

Memory triggers
Focus shifts
Decision-making changes
Perception alterations

Complex Holiday Emotions

Let’s examine some holiday-specific emotional combinations:

Joy + Grief

Physical Signals:

Hands ghosting over old ornaments
Humming carols that break mid-note
Setting an extra place before catching yourself

Anticipation + Anxiety

Internal Sensations:

Stomach butterflies with acid edges
Tingling fingers that can’t quite steady
Heart skipping between excitement and dread

Love + Frustration

Mental Responses:

Counting breaths while wrapping imperfect gifts
Rehearsing responses to familiar criticisms
Finding humor in chaos to avoid explosion

Building Emotional Scenes

Structure your holiday scenes with emotional beats:

Opening State

Establish baseline emotion
Show normal behaviors
Set emotional stakes

Triggering Event

Create emotional catalyst
Show immediate reaction
Layer in complications

Emotional Progression

Build through multiple responses
Mix emotional signals
Create emotional turning points

Resolution

Show emotional impact
Leave room for resonance
Connect to character arc

Example Using the Thesaurus

Let’s transform a basic scene:

Before:
Sarah felt sad as she hung the ornaments on her first Christmas tree alone.

After:
Sarah’s fingers traced the rough edge where last year’s card still clung to the ornament. The glitter had worn away, just like everything else. She hung it anyway, adjusting it three times before letting go, her hand lingering as if the empty apartment might shake it loose.

Tips for Maximum Impact

Mix emotional categories
Layer responses over time
Connect emotions to backstory
Use setting to amplify feeling
Allow emotional complexity

Moving Forward

The Emotion Thesaurus isn’t just a reference—it’s a tool for emotional authenticity. Use it to dig deeper into your holiday scenes, finding fresh ways to express timeless feelings.

Remember: The best holiday scenes don’t just show emotion—they make readers feel it.