TURMOIL
Set up to write. No point in reading through this. Write through it.
5 Minutes each node. Several nodes in each section. Go!
Turmoil
So, we arrive at the conflict, this is what we were reluctant to jump into from almost the very start. Now we’ve overcome the fear, made a plan, consulted with experts, availed ourself with the latest gizmo or science, and we stand as ready as will ever be at the gate of the enemy castle, the mouth of the dragon’s cave, the front door of the bully’s house, the threshold of our true love, and and and – – – we walk in!
The first thing that went wrong was…
It took longer to arrive because…
They charge us and my weapon…
My friend from school fell when…
My communication is cut off with them when…
We arrive at the spot and there is no trace except…
More of us were captured than…
Hell in a Hand Basket
All hell breaks loose. This is the part in the story where our plans, hopes, and aspirations are met with the reality of the challenge. This can look like:
your restaurant’s opening week
first seven rounds of the fight match
ancient curse manifests itself through you
a promise you bank your future upon is broken
a promise you made as the previous, corrupt version of, you comes to maturity and you are called to deliver
Their First Time
What are the conflicts and challenges of the first time:
you start college
you drive the unknown craft
you hold a gun on someone
you run from a fight
you stand up to your parents
you care for a dying friend, or a parent, or your child
you perform an operation on the living human
you take your software online
you ask someone outside of dance class to dance
first time you drive competitively in a race
you sail solo
you command the team
you don’t get drunk at a party
you defend yourself
you break the rules
you face the unknown
Life vs Normal Life
What comes after, after the defeats, false starts, and setbacks?
Turmoil is in conflict to our Normal Life
New girlfriend is messy, changes your schedule (strands you, makes other plans…)
We stand inside the gate of the new-to-us turf
This is where the seeds of conflict are planted
This is where conflict arrives from fantasy (or plan) vs reality
This is the tumult of a experience vs dream
-Sex
-Fight
-Flight
-Facing Fear
What if your job is to be a worker ant but you have questions about your purpose? Or you are transitioning from prisoner to freedom after 10 years. Or you are in a perfect position to infiltrate the fallen White House and win it back from the bad guys. See any turmoil possibilities? Turmoil is the engine of story. Your first trip to the grocery store alone or your last ride out of the coal mine to a management job – conflict is your new best friend.
Did you write? I hope so. It is how books get written.
Great thing about these exercises is you can do them over and/or you can do them for 10, 15, 30 minutes.
Do them in a way that works for you.
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