How to Create Conflict in Solarpunk/Utopian Writing
Check out this instructional article by our Creative Director, Hal Hefner, on weaving tension into the plots of solarpunk fiction!
Excerpt:
“Though values manifest inside of our characters they must also rise to the surface externally too. Something has to be happening to move your story along. In many stories we have the protagonist in direct conflict with an antagonist while trying to achieve a goal. The character must resolve their conflict—within and also externally—for the story to have any meaning, or emotional hook to make people invested in a character's arc/growth.
Character Value Evaluation
Who or what does your main character value most in life?
Do any of these values potentially conflict within the character and with others?
What do all of the potential conflicts you've listed above, reveal about these values and your character?
Are the values breakable? Are they strong or are they weak?
What elements can you concluded from these values as you explore complications of that value?
Are there any additional conflicts that you can foresee arise from these values with other characters or elements of your storyworld?” (Hefner)