Once you know what the MICE of your story is, you are ready to start throwing some serious conflict at them. (You can refer to the list above for what conflict your story needs.) Conflict is addressed in at least one Try/Fail cycle. In short stories, you can imply several try/fail cycles. In novels, these will go into great detail. In flash fiction, you will have to do it in mere words or a couple of sentences.

What is a Try/Fail cycle? A Try/Fail cycle is when a character tries to do something to reach their goal but fails. When you write a story with multiple Try/Fail cycles, each action must have a consequence. Think of this as a Yes-But scene.

YES, they made progress toward their goal, BUT they were pushed back from it.

For example, from Star Wars when Luke and Han have the goal of saving the Princess while being chased by Storm Troopers. What do they try? They jump down a chute. Does it work? YES, they get away, BUT they are stuck in a garbage bin.

Instructions: Set the timer for five minutes and write five sentences that set up a Try/Fail cycle.