Thank you for that Redhot,

I too tend to not always know where my stories are going, especially when you just get a great idea and want to get started on it! I have found though, that I will sometimes make a few notes once I am a bit more into the story, just so my ending is as strong as my beginning. I also write down any new ideas I have for stories, so I can come back to them at another time.

I agree that the section on conflict is a bit confusing, but I think she is just saying that in a good story, you have events happening outside of the control of the all or some of the central characters. These might bring the characters together so they can interact in some way. I suppose it is just the case of making sure you have some problems and resolutions, to make your story interesting.

I also find the need to check my work many times, and find that re-reading it again after a few days or more, works well.

Thanks so much, you seem to have reflected on the articles very well, and I hope it has given you some ideas to work with.

You can now have a go at the second assignment, good luck and have fun.