My husband and I just read The Pursuit of Christian Maturity: Flourishing in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ by A. W. Tozer, compiled and edited by James L. Snyder. Steve Laube represents a portion of Tozer’s literary estate.
The book offers many excellent points and is worth reading. An overarching lesson on obstacles to a fulfilling relationship with God made me think of writing about the inner conflict of characters. Everyone has inner conflict, so reading about it in fiction helps readers, especially if the character learns and grows. The ideas below won’t make for a likeable character so be sure when you draw your character for your reader that you balance these faults with worthy attributes.
What idols stand in your character’s way?
- Does your character strive to be the smartest person in the room? When challenged, is he ready with a comeback designed to make the inquisitor look small? If so, how much time does the character spend thinking about others’ responses to controversial theories he puts forth, often simply to elicit shock? Which of his relationships does this affect, and how? What consequences does the character suffer? Does the character care, or does he clutch the idol of intellect?
- Is money a driving force for your character? Does a lack of money make the character feel helpless and hopeless, perhaps willing to take advantage of others to gain enough to survive? How do people she tries to use respond to her? Or is the character so wealthy she doesn’t feel she needs God or anyone else, since prosperity seems to offer a cloak of security? How does this attitude affect her purchases? Does she buy to impress? How do other characters respond to her?
- Does your character spend excess time putting on a show with his family? Yes, he loves them, but are they also props to demonstrate his success? How has this affected his spouse and children? What will he do when someone in the family inevitably disappoints him?
- Does your character either consciously or unconsciously look down upon others? If so, why is your character so insecure that she downgrades others to remain in her position? How will she grow?
- Does your character think everyone owes him favors? What type of favors does he seek? How do people respond? Is he powerful enough that people are afraid to decline? Or is he just a low-level nuisance people tolerate? Why does he have this sense of entitlement, and will he overcome it? How?
I know I’ve missed many aspects of inner conflict. What other conflicts stand in the way of your character’s relationships?