Writing Conflict in Fiction

Bring your characters to life and propel your story forward by learning how to create conflict in your fiction writing. Learn tips and trips from Michael Donkor, author of Hold (shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize) and Grow Where They Fall.

In this session, we’ll explore the role and possibilities of conflict within your fiction writing. Focusing on moments of tension between protagonists, we’ll concentrate on dialogue and think about how to create engaging, energetic arguments on the page, reflecting on what is said and what remains thrillingly unsaid. We’ll consider, too, how we can construct arguments to subtly give readers a deeper and more complicated understanding of characters and their relationships with each other.

Biography

Michael Donkor was born in London to Ghanaian parents. He studied English at Wadham College, Oxford, followed by a Masters in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway. His first novel, Hold, was longlisted for the Dylan Thomas and shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prizes. He is a frequent contributor to outlets including the Guardian, the TLS and the Independent.