What do you call a manuscript without effective conflict?

Unpublishable.

On October 26th, learn how to master the essential technique that has been at the core of great fiction for millennia.

Let's travel thousands of years into the distant past.

A shaggy group of men, women and children sit around a large fire. Through the smoke, they listen to the words of the clan's storyteller.

They hear stories of great hunts, fierce battles, astonishing miracles and the bravest of acts.

The clan is riveted, hanging on every word, desperate to find out what happens next.

Now, fast-forward to the present day.

A young reader sits glued to her book, ignoring the activity around her. She eagerly turns each page, desperate to find out what happens next.

Connected across millennia, this young reader and her distant ancestors are under the spell of the oldest, most powerful and most necessary of storytelling techniques.

CONFLICT.

The conflict in your story needn't be an angry one. Or a violent one. Or even one that is noticeable to your characters.

But it MUST be there.

Your characters must overcome obstacles. It could be the weather. Or rules. Or time. Or their emotions. Or the annoying kid next door.

Whatever the source of conflict, it is essential that your characters don't just cruise blithely and easily through your story. Because, without that conflict, you don't really have a story. Just a recounting of events.

And simple recountings of events don't get published.

Meet Todd Mitchell, writing professor and award-winning author of young adult, middle grade fiction and graphic novels.

Todd's books are true page-turners, crackling with tension. That's because he's a master at seeding his work with conflict. Or, as Todd likes to call it, "Getting my characters into, and out of, trouble."

Until now, only his students in the Colorado State University writing program were privy to his techniques for employing the right conflicts to craft thrilling stories.

But, on Wednesday, October 26th (with lifetime on-demand replay) that changes. And you are invited to be part of it all.

Join us for...

No Conflict, No Story:

A Masterclass on Getting Your Characters Into — and Out Of — Trouble

In this hands-on workshop, Todd will take you step-by-step through the process of creating conflict in your story, using it to transform characters and keeping readers glued to the page.

Think the types of stories you write don't need conflict?

Think again.

With the exception of certain alphabet books or board books for babies, virtually every type of fiction requires conflict.

From Picture Books through Young Adult (and beyond) conflict is an absolute necessity that needs to be understood, mastered and put into practice by all fiction writers.

On the 26th, you're going to learn how to do all of these things - and more.

During this 90+ minute workshop, Todd will show you simple techniques to raise the stakes of your story, and turn a flat character arc into a journey that will capture the hearts and imaginations of your readers

If you write children's fiction — or are just considering it — this workshop is, quite simply, essential.

We invite you to join us for:

No Conflict, No Story:

A Masterclass on Getting Your Characters Into - and Out Of- Trouble