I like conflict in stories that I read, and I put conflict in the stories that I write. I rarely pay to read a vignette. I can get that in a free blog post anywhere on the internet.

A character that you create as a writer should have a goal based on something believable, and an obstacle should get in her or his way. Whether your character’s motivation for that goal is believable is debatable and depends how well the writer sets up the world. You, as a writer, might get annoyed at the constant harping of your critique partners about the goal, motivation, and conflict, but you’ll be a better storyteller if you incorporate this.

I’m Ursula Whistler, and I want to read stories with conflict, because it makes me cheer when that couple gets together or captures the evil-does or solves the murder mystery, but too many writers forget about this.