Comments on: Can you write a peaceful novel with no conflict at all? http://bookishgal.shinyideas.ca/2009/11/12/can-you-write-a-peaceful-novel-with-no-conflict-at-all/ "Well, I'm back." - Sam Gamgee Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:59:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Phyl http://bookishgal.shinyideas.ca/2009/11/12/can-you-write-a-peaceful-novel-with-no-conflict-at-all/comment-page-1/#comment-1573 Phyl Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:13:59 +0000 http://bookishgal.shinyideas.ca/?p=1028#comment-1573 That's pretty much how I see it too. I enjoyed one of the comments on that blog, from a mother who talked about parents falling asleep while reading all the "sweetness and light" stories to their kids. That seems to be the comment of a lot of people -- that even if you could write a novel like this, it would simply be boring. That’s pretty much how I see it too. I enjoyed one of the comments on that blog, from a mother who talked about parents falling asleep while reading all the “sweetness and light” stories to their kids. That seems to be the comment of a lot of people — that even if you could write a novel like this, it would simply be boring.

]]> By: Stephanie http://bookishgal.shinyideas.ca/2009/11/12/can-you-write-a-peaceful-novel-with-no-conflict-at-all/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Stephanie Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:57:36 +0000 http://bookishgal.shinyideas.ca/?p=1028#comment-1572 I think you can write <i>a</i> novel without any conflict, about, perhaps, someone's spiritual journey into enlightenment, but how many would really enjoy it? Would it come across like a novel or like a self-help book, too autobiographical? Conflict is not only the crucible that enables a character to grow, it is also an opportunity for the reader to identify with the characters. Big battles on paper can often represent little battles in life, allowing the reader to empathize more fully with characters. I'm sure you could write a book with nothing but sweetness and light. Or make a movie, but I can't think of a single one that was successful. I think you can write a novel without any conflict, about, perhaps, someone’s spiritual journey into enlightenment, but how many would really enjoy it? Would it come across like a novel or like a self-help book, too autobiographical?

Conflict is not only the crucible that enables a character to grow, it is also an opportunity for the reader to identify with the characters. Big battles on paper can often represent little battles in life, allowing the reader to empathize more fully with characters.

I’m sure you could write a book with nothing but sweetness and light. Or make a movie, but I can’t think of a single one that was successful.

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