Exploring Discord: A Discussion with Writer Marissa Meyer
acclaimed author Marissa Meyer shares insights into crafting conflict in her stories
Marissa Meyer, the New York Times bestselling author known for her success in young adult fiction, has offered exclusive insights into how she creates conflict in her works. Since her debut in 2012 with the first novel of The Lunar Chronicles, Meyer's career has soared, culminating in her becoming a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her series, Renegades, also achieved notable success, with her books published in over 38 countries worldwide.
During an interview, Meyer discussed her approach to conflict-laden storytelling. Here are some key observations and techniques she employs:
Interweaving conflict into narrativesMeyer finds herself naturally drawn to stories featuring inherent conflict. For instance, in her novel Renegades, the premise of a supervillain falling in love with a superhero sets the stage for tension. As she drafts her stories, Meyer consistently asks herself how she can intensify the struggles her characters face, pushing them to their limits and presenting them with new obstacles.
Techniques for adding conflictThe specific techniques Meyer utilizes to build tension depend on the genre and theme of her work. One approach she employs is subjecting characters to physical danger. Additionally, she identifies scenes that lack tension by examining interactions between characters, questioning whether there's enough conflict or animosity among the characters. If not, she intentionally stirs up tension by making characters disagree or by introducing secrets with the potential for deception.
Secrets as an instant source of conflictMeyer emphasizes the power of secrets in engaging readers and ratcheting up tension. When at least one character is hiding something, it creates inherent conflict since the secret's eventual reveal may have far-reaching implications.
Fans of Marissa Meyer's work can explore more of her inventive storytelling and immersive worlds in her collection of novels.
[1] Enrichment data suggests that Meyer carefully plans the overarching conflict of her series by outlining major conflicts and key turning points, ensuring that each book's conflicts contribute to the larger narrative momentum.
[2] Enrichment data highlights that Meyer balances external challenges with internal struggles, uses shifting alliances and broken trust to heighten tension, and explores themes such as justice, loyalty, rebellion, and the cost of power through her stories' conflicts.
- Marissa Meyer, while creating her books, meticulously plots the overall conflict of her series, outlining major conflicts and crucial turning points to ensure a cohesive narrative momentum.
- In her storytelling, Meyer skilfully combines external challenges with characters' inner turmoil, strategically uses shifting alliances and broken trust to build tension, and investigates themes such as justice, loyalty, rebellion, and the price of power through conflicts in her books.
