Internal Conflict
In debating whether to start a new idea or not, I got caught up in trying to create an internal struggle strong enough to sustain a full-length novel. I stumbled across this blog by Kate Kyle about internal conflict. Her line about the characters' goals (external motivation) being AWAY from love makes a lot of sense. What the character wants at the beginning of the book should not be love. It should be something else: revenge, a successful business, custody of a child. . . .whatever.
The character gets dragged into love kicking and screaming, but ultimately better off.
The internal conflict demonstrates growth or change, and that is what will eventually make the character able to give and receive love. The chase for that elusive external goal will force an internal change, and that in turn will allow the character to become the person who can love and be loved. That's a lot to happen in one book! And for a romance, it's going to have to happen for both of them.
So to start thinking about this new book, I have to decide what the primary character (my heroine, Anna) most wants out of life.
What are other ways you start off on the path to a new book or idea?
