In Italy, for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, they had 500 years of democracy and peace – and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. — Orson Welles

“I just want to be happy.” Especially in tumultuous times like these, longing for peace and contentment is a common feeling. We turn off the news to quiet our minds. We go no contact on the weekends to release stress. While not advocating war and bloodshed, perhaps there’s a creativity cost to an easy life just as there is profit to be pulled from the stressful moments.

Imagine trying to write a compelling short story without any conflict. The dull-o-meter would go off the charts. Now look out a window and pick the first piece of conflict within view. What can you do with THAT?

What is the main conflict in your novel?

What is the conflict in every scene?

What conflict would your character most want to avoid- is there a way to bring it up?