It's often hard to determine, especially in early drafts…
“It's often hard to determine, especially in early drafts, whether or not a story has a bona fide complication. Remember this: A complication must either illuminate, thwart, or alter what the character wants. A good complication puts emotional pressure on a character, promoting that character not only to act, but to act with purpose.If the circumstance does none of these things, then it's not a complication at all - it's a situation. This situation, or setup, might be interesting or even astonishing, but it gives the story no point of departure.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A true complication must affect the character's goal, creating emotional pressure that drives purposeful action; otherwise it's just a setup.
In simple terms: Complications change a character's goal and create tension.
Key Takeaway
Make sure every obstacle pushes the character toward purposeful action.
Themes
storytelling
character development
conflict
plot structure
Mood
analytical
focused
Type
instructional
practical
When to use this quote
- draft revisions
- plot outlining
- character motivation
- scene analysis
Key Concepts
narrative tension
emotional stakes
goal alignment
Questions to Reflect On
- Does this obstacle change what the character wants?
- How does it raise the stakes?
A Different Perspective
A complication that only adds detail without affecting the goal may still feel like a situation.