Internal and External Conflict: The Engine of Fiction

[@thattruecrimechannel3253]

My screenplay teacher in university once said something I never forgot “happy people have no story” What you say in the beginning of this video resonates with that statement

[@swedishmanguy]

Excellent advice. Now, time to turn my boring true story into something worth reading.

[@Josef138]

You can do it!

[@2griffyn]

Me too!

[@pebblescarpetcat]

Good luck, fellow writer! :D

[@Ladykatherine221]

Good luck!

[@swedishmanguy]

@@Ladykatherine221 Thank you.

[@harisankarkk2200]

This is the most well explained video about conflict I've seen. I've been told time and time again it's important but i think i only understood it now. It made me realise why I love only some scenes i write and hate others. Love all your videos. Thank you.

[@theallenshire268]

I am even more impressed with your writing ability knowing that you see yourself as a "pantser" The incredible organization necessary for the Left Behind series just to keep track of what is going on and where everyone is blows my mind. I loved/hated those books. Every character had so much going on and so much at stake, I would avoid picking one up if I didn't have a weekend with no commitments because I did not want to put it down once I did. But when I did get a chance to get lost in your story I was truly lost in it. Days and nights ran together and food was optional. lol Thank you so much for putting so much into those books and making them unforgettable!

[@kenward1310]

You consistently provide some of the best writing advice on the platform. Always look forward to your videos. Thank you.

[@DriveupLife22]

Hey Jerry! I finished my first novel manuscript today, thanks for all the advice! It was totally typewritten and I havent edited a word. Time to revisit the tips on editing!

[@snedge28]

Your videos always offer some new insight to my stories. They change my plots and make my characters more rounded. My characters would argue your videos make their life harder, but I'll go with more conflicted and complex. Thank you.

[@maxwrigley6885]

Congratulations on your Golden anniversary

[@asiamarie5068]

ive never subscribed so fast. as a 16 year old high school student whose dream is to write a novel that people can enjoy, i can say ill be watching a lot of your videos in the near future to help cultivate my writing🤍

[@kathyl6677]

The first thing I learned was wrong with my story was that the community was "perfect." I needed conflict, and I'm still learning. In this case, realizing that "conflict" doesn't have to mean a fight or war. Traffic jam or disagreement is also conflict.

[@servicessundered]

Crazy how I've been researching and thinking and struggling (like hell) with this topic for several days now, and then this video pops up. Thanks Jerry!

[@andreabrasier4393]

Thank you so very much for the help! God bless you, Jerry!

[@michellek6533]

Amen

[@ShreeNation]

This is so true! Might I add, conflict between MCs and supporting characters are equally important. Great room for great dialogue that way.

[@desertgecko4549]

Always nice to see a new video from you, Jerry. And this is an important topic overlooked by many new writers. Also, I about giggled when I heard you say "endearing." I've been known to suggest a time or two (hundred) that an endearing protagonist beats a weak plot or other shortcomings. But that isn't to say characters must be perfect to be endearing. Quite the opposite is true, because for characters to be endearing they must be relatable. In one of my stories is a hefty mother with a voice like a foghorn, who spills out from dresses much too tight and too short for her middle-aged figure. She grew from a nosy gossip into a mama bear who went to extremes for her children. My readers relate to and love this unlikely heroine. We should ask ourselves: Does the plot change our character? Or does our changing character alter the plot? If, and only if, we can answer yes to both are we on to something. Our plot is the characters are the plot. Questionable syntax notwithstanding, ponder that last sentence.

[@inspiredbycreation4121]

Mr. Jenkins, You are a master at your craft of writing. I have learned so much from you.

[@dietofly1]

Jerry B Fricken Jenkins! To instill real faith and belief in a young writer can not be given too great a praise. It still baffles me that a 7 minute video on the internet can create so much within me - passion, and belief. Those very things that may well change my life. God bless you, Jerry B Fricken Jenkins!

[@ZombieJohn]

Love that he takes the time to share his knowledge with others

[@3DAYSMINISTRIES]

This is so helpful!! I've written 2 novels, I wish I could have known half of what this video says at that time!! Im currently working on my 3rd novel now, I'll definitely incorporate these tips into it!! Thank you so much Jerry Jenkins!!

[@michellek6533]

Congratulations on completion of your 2 novels. Prayers for your third, in Jesus name.

[@3DAYSMINISTRIES]

@@michellek6533 Thanks, it's really appreciated!!

[@ElderBill]

Excellent, Jerry. Your videos feel like a master class. Thank you very much.

[@JDoty77]

Excellent, as always, Jerry. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help those of us with a dream to get onto paper the stories God gave us to write.

[@AlexanderDickey-zw5qt]

As a writing hobbyist I started down the road to starting a novel. In only watching two videos. This one being the second. Its inspired me to hurdle my first writers block and improved my technique.

[@michellek6533]

Thank you for this excellent helpful talk Jerry. You said Superman's weakness is Kriptonite, I think yes, but also Lois Lane. Also had me thinking about heaven, and wondering if there will be 'movies' of stories of great triumphs over evil from history, stories of conversions… and "He has done great things" we will say together as each story closes.

[@ScullyPop]

I enjoyed your talk today. Full watch!

[@jonaswolf6135]

Me as a young writer really struggle with mi writing style and perfecting my stories. This video helped me understand one of my biggest problems. Thank you very much.

[@historywatch-4U]

Each of your videos offers great insight and tips that I don't see on other writing channels and actually work. Please, make more videos! These are stellar!

[@Anthony-gq7dk]

Once again, outstanding advice and delivery of same. You have such a wonderful way of presenting the guidelines and avoiding the bear traps. Well done Jerry.

[@salmahmohamed6048]

There's always lots of gems of advice in every single one of your videos. Thank you so much for making and sharing this video, it's short, concise and full of great writing tips!

[@Titere05]

I heard "Tequila Mockingbird" for a second there and thought, what an intriguing title

[@brrryan2908]

FATANSTIC illustrations of your ideas and observations! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@edwardgirard6983]

thank you so much for all of your help, Jerry.....it is definitely appreciated!

[@Moebeetus]

I cannot thank you enough! Love your channel. You give such level headed advice without theatrics.

[@dikibodaniel6259]

Thank you very much sir. I'm a Nigerian and I find your teachings extremely helpful.

[@jillballantyne1870]

A heartfelt thank you Jerry! Your teachings are invaluable-- I am writing everyday now :)

[@clayfinity5501]

Thank you, Jerry. Comperehnsive and clear. New fan here

[@landonpraught9170]

Thanks for all you do this was a great help . I getting ready to start my next novel God bless you . Landon

[@BlakeRobert777]

Thank you so much for your advice. They are very very helpful to me for my writing.

[@deborahgalyon7449]

Thank you for your generous information!

[@sardines4breakfast140]

please keep posting Jerry! Your information and details and attitude are the best. Really helpful, thank you!

[@obeddolo832]

Great writer, excellent tutor.

[@bradpettit5806]

Great teaching, explained simply. Just what I need. Thanks, Jerry.

[@idesofmars]

these videos are fantastic. i wish Jerry did them more often

[@pramendhbridgebunsee9242]

Very good advice Jerry. I have learnt so much by watching your videos

[@inglisibuteasy1043]

Thank you .I really did not get all the words , but in general it was perfect.

[@madelinemurphy70]

I've learned quite a bit from your videos. Thank you!

[@bookaholic1431]

Thank you so Much for this, sir!!

[@AstroArians]

Thank you so much, Sir Jerry and congratulation to your Golden Anniversary. 😊👍

[@EmikeOsumah]

Thank you for this insightful video! Your tips, posts, newsletters and videos have been a rock in my writing Journey

[@istenafazekakkoztisjelen]

Thank you! Your videos are real inspiration for my creativity! You give tools to achieve my goals! I'm really blessed to find your channel.

[@idongesiteteng9936]

Thank you so much Jerry. This brought a lot of clarity. God bless you for taking time to mentor me. I wish you could take a look at my first book.

[@DCMasturmindz1]

I have an observation. Ayn Rand wrote with characters that she considered to be ideal: Hank Rearden, John Galt, Howard Rourke. (We might not consider them ideal, they were in their literary worlds.) The struggle they faced were external. They had an understanding of how ideal humans should act and did so accordingly. Within Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead, what would be the internal struggles they are facing? In my mind, internal struggle has to do with the ability to decide between right and wrong, but those characters never seemed to struggle with those concepts; therefore, in Rand's world, they are perfect. I love both Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead, and I consider the characters' external struggles gripping. Why do these work?

[@JN-hg5wn]

Thank you so much Sir. These were fantastic explanation of it all! Will absolutely take em close to heart 👍🏻 Btw, im a panster to, and im so happy to see a new video from you again - 6 months feelt like years! Take care and thanks again, for this lovely advice 🙂

[@NeilABrown]

You do a great job explaining how to improve writing skills.

[@troglodytezero1697]

The interesting thing is I been reading a number of Asian WbN/LN (eng translated) and I am not sure if it's a cultural thing, but in the genre I am reading they don't care much about in depth stories. And once a weak character gains a super busted ability they become unbeatable taking down one bad guy after another. The writing must be seen as good, because Webnovel get picked up and turned into Light novels that have 13+ Vols. Just curious that what some in the West may say is good writing, differs in the East. Well of course there's probably an audience out there for anyone, too.

[@mirnastoryworld]

Great video! Thank you so much!

[@romanglinnik8073]

Wonderful! Thank you very much for your advice! It gave me a few new perspectives which now help me out making my story better. And it helps me stay focused.

[@jacobit49]

I recently listened to some of Brad Reed's first podcast episodes. He went over Hills Like White Elephants, I think its called, and the conflict was so subtle. It was the natural difference in agenda shown in the conversation between two people in a close relationship. A great example of how you can inject conflict anywhere on the page. We've only gotta show 10% of that iceberg!

[@TheAngelOfDeath01]

Oh, my word... yeah, this exact problem is often the bane of my writing career... and why I've never been able to get it off...

[@markokuk327]

Thank you for this video too. I find it so helpful.

[@derekh375]

I love your videos!

[@pankhurikhanna-tl9zl]

Thank you sir 🙏🏻

[@Ladykatherine221]

Such wise advice, thank you so much!

[@Hidebehind-500]

Highly informative.

[@KaichouClips]

Thanks for this great explanation. The worksheet is helpful too.

[@bangruidzioba1696]

Thank you. It's very helpful.

[@Xavi_LX]

Good to see you back and healthy Jerry, your advice means so much to me as a 20 year old aspiring writer.

[@Smoke_Gaming_]

Great video! Very informative and helpful! I always look forward to your new videos.

[@themagicks1066]

Thank you for your kind words. I do need help on writing characters. Your video help me greatly! Enjoy your 50th anniversary

[@jennifercooper2356]

I enjoy your videos so! Thank you!

[@melanienaidoo775]

Thank you Jerry your videos are helping me alot🙏

[@Bibliotecanatalie]

Thank you❤️

[@sambsadashiv108]

Nice video, great explanation, all terms understood thank you

[@mohammadmahdi4915]

Nice to watch another video of you, always helpful 👌

[@constancegoldwing5867]

oooooooooooo YES! I love it when you upload.

[@jacobyee4670]

Thank you so much!

[@gopro_audio]

Remember too much conflict in real life prevents the writer from creativity to generate organic conflict in a story.

[@lampyrisnoctiluca9904]

not enough conflict makes the writteer unable to make us care about conflict in the first place because of his of her ignorance about conflicts.

[@nikpaa389]

thank you for this channel

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

Happy Anniversary to you and your misses

[@aivanvillamarzo731]

It's great. Thanks for advice ❤️

[@dakshayiniwinslet1421]

Sir, please make a video on how to write chapter plans for fiction.

[@slogciffan]

Great video Sir.. motivating me to write better and better 🎉🎉

[@djones1089]

I’m also a panther, and I find that it is helpful that when you are done your manuscript to go back a reflect. Sometimes you may have to rewrite entire chapters, but it helps

[@mariansalva4466]

Your videos are motivating and helpful, thank you 👼

[@basri090909]

Thank you

[@DrAntonioF-B]

Brilliant - thank you so much 😀

[@SaiqaAskari]

Thank you very much

[@storiesbeneaththesurface1942]

great video

[@estellaye6245]

Thank you for the video!

[@محمدعبدالوهابعبدالحليم]

Great tips

[@noah4371]

What about the most important type of conflict, the whole purpose of stories, philosophical conflict? Watch Tyler Mowery’s videos, especially the “What is the purpose of conflict” video to understand better.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

Internal conflict is especially challenging within the confines of a short story. But it can be done.

[@tulipflower8947]

Dear sir, I am a new writer. everytime I watch your tips, it seems like you give me a strength in writting. To not stop and keep going. But, my heart got a little bit sad when I just get knowing the truth about novel industry in my country. Many writers here got around 481 dollar - 963 for one story through publisher. 7% or 8% royalty writer received for 1 book sold. To me it is not worth it for the time and the effort of writers. In my country, you will get higher if your novel is one of the list in best seller. But, it is not a reason for me to stop writing. Just, I fell a little bit disappointed. I really want to hear advice from you regarding this matter. Sorry for my bad english. Thank you very much

[@hafezhesham8541]

Many thanks

[@IPyroAngel]

Thanks !!!

[@chillyproductions4851]

I’m going to make my first book! Also I’m about on page 20 something. I don’t know how to publish a book so making that video would be helpful :)

[@megankirrmann6624]

Very informative!!!

[@mistymeredith1935]

I have always loved writing short stories and poetry as a kid and dreamed of being a writer one day, but life happened and 3 kids later I am still dreaming of being a writer. Is it to late for me? Will I have to go back to college for a writer's course? If so how long would it take me to finish? I will be 42 at the end of this month. I feel like I missing out on something I should have done a long time ago.

[@BucketOfMarbles]

Jerry makes great writing videos

[@saraphicseer5982]

Thank you for the instruction. Also, your worksheet redirect site has a typo on it: "Imagine where you’re writing can go with Jerry as your instructor. " (as of 10.20.21)

[@storypur]

I am your biggest fan sir🙏

[@SzazaM077]

No, I am!😆😉

[@storypur]

@@SzazaM077 🙈

[@SzazaM077]

@@storypur, that's a bit of a conflict!😉

[@bland-g154]

another great video!