*Tracy Garrett, Western historical writer for Kensington--October speaker. (A new member, by the way.)

THROW'EM TO THE WOLVES: The Basics of Conflict

A novel with no conflict is like a showdown at the OK Corral with water pistols nothing much happens and everything ends up limmp and soggy. But add bullets, badguys and the possibility that the hero might lose—or die—and you have the one essential element of a page-turner.

Conflict draws your readersinto the world you create. The more difficult the obstacles your characters must overcome, the more interesting the story the harder readers will root for the hero and heroine to win.

Using current examples and writing exercises, participants explore conflict's role in making your story better.

Hope to see you Saturday. And don't forget critique at 10 a.m. (Seems like a long time since we met, doesn't it?)