Aligning Author Motivations with Conflicts

Have you ever read a book and wondered why the author made certain choices or why certain conflicts were presented in the storyline? As it turns out, authors have motivations just like everyone else. In this article, we’ll explore how aligning an author’s motivations with their chosen conflicts can make for a more satisfying reading experience.

What are Author Motivations?

Simply put, author motivations are the reasons behind why they write. Some writers may be motivated by fame and fortune while others might be driven by a desire to educate or entertain readers. Understanding what motivates an author is crucial when trying to analyze their work.

Tip: Keep in mind that authors are individuals who have unique experiences and perspectives which inform their writing.

Identifying Author Motivations

So how do we identify an author’s motivation? Here are some questions to consider:

  • Why did the author choose to write?
  • What themes or subjects does the author frequently explore?
  • How does the writer approach conflicts in their stories?

Answering these questions can help readers gain insight into what drives the writer’s creativity and how that translates onto paper.

The Role of Conflict

Conflict is a fundamental aspect of storytelling. Without it, there would be no plot as conflict provides tension that propels characters forward on their journey. However, not all conflicts are created equal; some resonate more than others depending on various factors such as context and personal experiences.

Fun fact: Did you know there are six types of literary conflict: person vs person, person vs self, person vs society, person vs nature/technology/supernatural forces/animal/etc., person/environmental/place/time/etc., thematic conflict (a story’s main central idea)?

Creating Effective Conflicts

Crafting engaging conflicts requires careful consideration from authors because well-crafted conflicts have depth – one offs aren’t enough -, challenge both protagonists and antagonists, and result in audience engagement.

Tip: Here are some guidelines to follow when creating effective conflicts:

  • Conflict should be integral to the plot; otherwise it’s a meaningless addition.
  • Conflicts need stakes – something at risk that readers care about if lost or gained.
  • The most memorable conflicts will often have an emotional impact.

Why Aligning Author Motivations is Important

When authors align their motivations with their chosen fictional conflicts, the results can be surprising but highly satisfying for readers. This coupling creates subtler and more complex relationships between characters not only because they serve the purpose of exposing things about those characters thereby forming deeper connections with them such as having more identifiable traits, but also satisfy reader needs where the conflict feels meaningful and consistent vs random machinations which tend to pull one out of suspension of disbelief concerning character agency. It’s a way for writers to show clarity and push thematic concepts while improving audiences’ immersion/entertainment base beyond simply hitting story beats mechanically.

Example: Suppose ABC writer’s core motivation was being highly attuned towards societal issues impacting women below age 25 he/she might craft a storyline populated by young females who navigate facets like work, dating culture etc., happening over different social milieux like colleges or urbanized geographies showing no-nos & yes-dos without preaching morality lessons outrightly (indication of authorial intentions), thus striking balance between didacticism/agenda-pushing & narrative excellence.This ensures each aspect doesn’t feel forced/random but rather works together cohesively displaying author expertise on subject matter.

Benefits

Aligning authorial want vis-a-vis specific written scenarios translates into greater transparency within stories allowing subtextual ideas & themes closer undercuts from real-life projected onto pages instead making sense due logical reasoning.The added benefit reflects on how much thought goes into conducting research essential before embarking upon literary endeavours presenting nuanced understanding of situations instead of appropriating stereotypes for convenience sake.

Tip: Authors don’t necessarily have to incorporate their motivations into a storyline entirely, but even minor flourishes can add an extra layer of depth and authenticity.

Real World Examples

Let’s take a look at how some authors have aligned their motivations with conflicts in their works:

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood famously stated that her motivation was “being amused by my own work while I’m doing it.” In The Handmaid’s Tale she crafted the dystopian universe which proved fertile ground as highlight & analysing structure gave readers thrill rides packed w/humanistic undercurrents amidst depressing societies reminiscent of yesterday, today or tomorrow thereby making serious literary exploration fresh enough not to feel like doomsday prediction exercise.I.e dual-viewpoint power makes this classic unparalleled within its class because engagement feels organic.

Stephen King

Stephen King is well-known for writing horror novels filled with thrills and suspense, always keeping audiences guessing what’s next. His characters confront man-made/threatening monsters increasing popularity due excitement mixed witb nerve-racking moments associable also w/characters’ flaws – rendering them flawed heroes fighting against something worse than themselves..This alchymical table first seen in IT has since then become his signature style reliving tension through chacracters who need shows emotional growth beneficial real world effect on audience affected positively resonated throguh action segments when particular protagonist feels cornered but rises above.Eventually readers root naturally from each character respective arcs dependent upon actor/internal qualities highlighted between page turns.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes about issues surrounding Africans living locally/internationally taking flag bearing importance age old culture without avoiding challenges posed by newer tech-gods inside fiction genre.XY book (including WOA&B) centre dials around examining why certain things are perceived as good/bad in many African settings despite demographical differences present, presenting much needed clarity to global audience perplexed by lack of proper acknowledging under-served audiences creating valuable feedback loops.

Final Thoughts

Aligning author motivations with conflicts can greatly enhance readers’ experiences while providing storytelling that is authentic rather than arbitrary. It’s a process that requires a lot of thought and consideration from authors themselves who need be understanding what drives them at core level as well seeking ways through which more authenticity & relatability from fictional playing field c/accurately portrayed situations/characters.

In conclusion: Allowing for measured yet purposeful character growth personalises narrative pacing better to accommodate awareness primordially concerning world aspects/challenges otherwise glossed over.For writers/authors, being transparent w/authentic crafting emanating dynamic characters capable displaying potential unlocks creative horizons – this itself could reshape literary landscape du jour if more writers were conscious about incorporating motivations into their writing style etc. Finally stories should strike equal chords familiarizing reader/independent artistic vision without pandering or militating against pretensions levelling playing fields towards inclusive fare accessible all creativity enthusiasts – after all entertainment never happens in vacuum but within complex social contracts which require energy/light negotiations.

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