Thread: For all you good people who abso-tively believe that conflict is needed in a story…

…might I suggest you read this:


A Year in Suburbia ~ Guy Bellamy

ISBN 978-0-7090-8496-9

It contains NO conflict, and my guess is that his 12 other novels would be the same.

"The year starts badly for Mark Hutton, who finds that his wife has left him on New Year's Eve. His mood isn't improved when an old friend arrives from Australia and insists on organizing a reunion dinner with the boys who were in their class at school. That evening ends in tragedy, though Mark discovers that one of the guests has married the girl he fell in love with all those years ago. The guest also produces a family photograph with his son, who bears a startling resemblance to Mark. Closeted in his own small and unprofitable bookshop, Mark wrestles with his problems—romantic, professional, and social. But he soon discovers that a lot can happen in a year."

I emboldened the important part for you, OX. Mark wrestling with his problems is a form of internal conflict. Conflict doesn't have to mean people fighting and arguing.

Yeah, well, that’s just the jacket blurb, isn’t it? You don’t want to believe everything you read, Sam. I’m the one who read the book, and I didn’t notice too much wrestling going on anywhere.

I'm not buying it. I'm more inclined to think that you're just not picking up on it. You've said many times you have a hard time empathizing and relating to people's feelings and emotions -- so I'm betting the conflict has to do with those things. You're just not feeling it.

You may be right Joe. Give me a story about animals any day. They get me, every time.

That's really interesting, OX -- and in fact, I've actually noticed that in various threads about cats etc. and wondered about it.

He's supposedly a comic novel writer (which doesn't need fighting), plus Amazon online doesn't even appear to be selling it (used copies only available). Nor does he have an active fan club.

Edit : The book has all rights available, so it isn't in print.

It is simple enough to see that a story doesn't require conflict.

I could narrate the adventure of a young boy on a trip through the woods, void of conflict or obstacle. A simple romp, joyous sights and sounds. A light and simple story.

Doesn't mean that it would be the most entertaining work though... we read stories in order to relate ourselves to them. It is a form of communication, pointed at community and connection. As such, we hunger for conflict as it stirs us in a way that simple joy can not. We relate through our pains and triumphs. The struggle is universal.

At least that's how I see it.

A story can be written without conflicts.. but can it survive in the market? Will there be readers paying attention to it?
IMO, any written story caters to some segment of readers but it does not appeal to ALL readers.
We need to identify what we want to write and who we want to read as well...

Originally Posted by Syren

It is simple enough to see that a story doesn't require conflict.

@Anybody : Name one successful novel in the last 15 years that doesn't have it.

I'll make it easier. Name one successful novel in the last 15 years that hasn't had external conflict.

Originally Posted by Rustgold

@Anybody : Name one successful novel in the last 15 years that doesn't have it.

I'll make it easier. Name one successful novel in the last 15 years that hasn't had external conflict.

Go back and read my opening post, make notes, get yourself down to the library, obtain the book, read and inwardly digest.

And if you query "successful", google Guy Bellamy.


I didn't use up my valuable time creating a thread that's a nonsense.

Originally Posted by Syren

It is simple enough to see that a story doesn't require conflict.

I could narrate the adventure of a young boy on a trip through the woods, void of conflict or obstacle. A simple romp, joyous sights and sounds. A light and simple story.

Of course you could, but it would be boring. Imagine a TV show or movie bereft of conflict, where every character got exactly what they wanted and faced no danger or problems at any point. Would you watch it? What would be the point? The human psyche is designed to leech off conflict. Without conflict, either internal or external, you haven't got a story. What you have is a recollection of good memories.

Most TV series have 20-24 episodes per season. If we apply your logic, that no conflict is necessary, those series would require one episode. Introduce good guy, introduce bad guy, should good guy triumphing without any bother. Likewise, apply that logic to novels and they'd be finished inside fifty pages.

Conflict is, to borrow OX's above phrase, abso-tively essential in any work of fiction.

I have just read up on Mr Bellamy and the book you mention. It,s sounds entertaining and a musing on life and it,s problems also the journey as we travel through it.

I like books with wit, humour and feelings we all feel every day. i,m sure there are lots more writers in the world who can write a good yarn without lots of blood and guts and heart ache.

But we humans seem to thrive on adversity and things that draw every ounce of our strength. We love winners, people who over come the odds and survive. I think it,s easier to write about such things in terms of conflict and battles rather than in terms of human discovery or internal strife or indeed situation. It's a very interesting point and the answer is in the eye of the beholder.

hope this makes sense

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Go back and read my opening post, make notes, get yourself down to the library, obtain the book, read and inwardly digest.
And if you query "successful", google Guy Bellamy.

I didn't use up my valuable time creating a thread that's a nonsense.

Fan club inactive (my younger sister gets a bigger response with 'nose is stuffe up, going early to bed').
Latest book (the book you've mentioned) not even in print, nor for sale (except for used copies).
Agent has book you've listed as all rights available (in other words no publisher is touching it).
Unable to even sell it as a comedy (which shouldn't require as much depth as other types of novels).
No books of his within last 14? odd years (not looking back up) even registering in Amazon's top (1 million?) selling list.

Hardly screams successful to me.
Next.

Originally Posted by Rustgold

Fan club inactive (my younger sister gets a bigger response with 'nose is stuffe up, going early to bed').
Latest book (the book you've mentioned) not even in print, nor for sale (except for used copies).
Agent has book you've listed as all rights available (in other words no publisher is touching it).
Unable to even sell it as a comedy (which shouldn't require as much depth as other types of novels).
No books of his within last 14? odd years (not looking back up) even registering in Amazon's top (1 million?) selling list.

Hardly screams successful to me.
Next.

Why does everyone only ever think Amazon?

I have had to get up off my ****, go out to the lounge, and bring this back to the ‘puter:

© Guy Bellamy 2007
First Published in Great Britain 2007
ISBN 978-0-7090-8496-9
Robert Hale Ltd
Clerkenwell House
Clerkenwell Green
London EC1R 0HT
www.halebooks.com