Better Storytelling: Conflict Change
A character’s need for a change in order to progress toward a desire is what really makes or breaks a good story.
What about the whole desire thing?
The desire is what drives the story, yes. But how the character changes during the pivotal moment (climax) is what rounds your story. Otherwise, your story is just a list of flat events. Your character HAS to change in some way.
In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice & Men, George had spent years with Lenny and took on much of the trouble on his shoulders because he knew Lenny didn’t understand. Despite how much he tried to protect his companion, he also knew that if they really wanted to reach their goal, Lenny needed to change. This need to change is what dominated their interactions. Whenever they seemed to talk to one another, it was so George could remind Lenny to “behave” (changing how he usually behaved).
And I care, why?
Some characters flat out need to change. Their belief systems, their behaviors, their goals, something just needs to go if they want to make it anywhere. In stories like that, the whole conflict is getting that character to change. The obstacle can be posed externally or internally, but, essentially, if the story is to progress, the character has to start changing in some manner. Otherwise, the story is stunted in the character’s obstinance in day-to-day life.
Lenny is such a sweetheart, and his mental challenge does really give him the mentality of a child. However, considering his size, he has to make a change. On some level, he is aware of it, but not as much as George, who suffers the consequences of that reality more. Part of the story is George working to try and create a persona for Lenny that forces him to change who he is. In some ways, he lets him continue his habits, and in other ways, he has to be completely different. Because Lenny is unable to change, however, the story has no choice but to end as it did if we want anything close to a “happy ending”.
How can I do this?
You can really make your character change however you want. There really isn’t a formula for how to push someone to change. You can give them a hard decision to make, a character that challenges them, a threat to their livelihood, a demonstration of how it’s wrong, loss. It’s really up to you. Sorry I don’t have much for this one; it’s really up to writer discretion. 🤷
What are some of your favorite ways to see characters change?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media, of course. Plus, sign up for my newsletter to the right for more writing wisdom.