: Re: How to write a story without conflict, like "My Neighbour Totoro"? We are used to stories being about conflict. There can be an antagonist, or a hostile environment, or even an internal problem

@Connie138

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I personally think that most people give too much importance to the plot than to what the story means, or what the characters have to say. I feel that is because a clever plot is more exciting and engaging, and writers and producers or editors want to appeal to the public (rightly).

A story without conflict can exist, and can be beautiful, if it's beautifully told. You can do so by thinking in terms of micro-units, i.e. scenes. A scene can have a conflict, although small, and you can build around that.

A story like Totoro is full of small conflicts that build up scene after scene. The exploration of the house at the beginning, when the two girls meet the makkurokurosuke is built around the conflict between the characters and the unknown and scary place. The young neighbour Kanta is initially hostile. Etc.

Single units of the story can have great power in the emotions and meanings they convey, and I believe that this is material enough for a great movie or novel.

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