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How to Write a Simple Story with Everyday Conflict? – “I Married a Monster on a Hill”

| by Emily Maine

How to write a simple story? Writing Everyday Conflicts That Matter

Writing Tips for Slice-of-Life Stories

How to write a simple story? Let’s talk. Think your story needs epic battles or dramatic twists to be interesting? Think again. The magic often lies in the mundane. “I Married a Monster on a Hill” shows us how everyday conflicts can add serious depth to your story and characters. Here’s how to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Gif of Reginald from "I Married a Monster on a Hill" burning in flames as Nate stands on a podium and tosses his Mayor Rule Book.

Note from the creators of “I Married a Monster on a Hill”

Check back every week for free writing lessons from the “Willowgrove Writing Tips” Series, from the “I Married a Monster on a Hill” team. Why are we doing this? To provide free resources for other game developers, writers, comic creators and independent projects. Knowledge should always be free along with kindness and support, and as an indie multi-media platform we are committed to helping others in the industry (even with our own projects).

How to write and make the Mundane Relatable in your Story?

Life’s full of small, annoying conflicts. Budgeting for groceries, arguing about who does the dishes, dealing with annoying neighbors—these are the things we all deal with. “I Married a Monster on a Hill” nails this by diving into the everyday struggles of its characters. These conflicts are relatable and make your characters feel real. Show your readers that your characters live in the same world they do.

Writer’s Block Solution? Use Conflicts to Reveal Character

How to write a simple story where you can learn a lot about someone by how they handle the little things? Does your character freak out over a messy room or laugh it off? How do they deal with running out of money before payday? These everyday conflicts reveal personality and priorities. In “I Married a Monster on a Hill,” these moments show us who the characters really are. Use the mundane to peel back the layers of your characters.

Still image of Reginald from "I Married a Monster on a Hill" presenting his Mayor Rule Book on a podium with a microphone. A crowd including Fuyuki, Logan, Patti and Grev stand beside him smiling together.

How to Add Depth and Realism to your Writing?

Epic adventures are great, but they’re not everyone’s daily life. By focusing on everyday conflicts, you add a layer of realism to your story. “I Married a Monster on a Hill” isn’t just about big romantic gestures; it’s about the day-to-day grind of relationships. This makes the narrative more relatable and engaging. Don’t underestimate the power of a good old argument about who left the milk out.

Scarlett groans at Alliard (from "I Married a Monster on a Hill") with a pout as he looks sleepy.

Show Growth Through Small Challenges

Character growth doesn’t always come from big, life-changing events. Often, it’s the small challenges that teach us the most. How do your characters grow from dealing with everyday annoyances? In “I Married a Monster on a Hill,” the characters evolve through their daily interactions and conflicts. Show how your characters learn and grow from the little things.

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How to Balance Humor and Frustration in your Simple Story?

Life’s everyday conflicts are a mix of frustration and humor. Capture this balance in your writing. “I Married a Monster on a Hill” uses humor to lighten the mood, even when dealing with annoying or stressful situations. Let your characters find the funny side of their daily struggles. This makes your story more enjoyable and your characters more endearing.

Thomas and John (from "I Married a Monster on a Hill) have a cute moment together on the beach. Both men are blushing, John looking serious and Thomas looking embarrassed.

Build Stronger Relationships

Everyday conflicts can strengthen relationships. How your characters handle the mundane together says a lot about their bond. In “I Married a Monster on a Hill,” couples and friends navigate the little things together, building stronger connections. Use these moments to show the strength and resilience of your characters’ relationships.

Need a Check-list for the “How to Write a Simple Story” Lesson?

Turning mundane conflicts into compelling narrative elements is all about relatability, character revelation, realism, growth, humor, and relationship building. “I Married a Monster on a Hill” sets a perfect example of how the everyday can become extraordinary. So next time you’re writing, don’t shy away from the small stuff. Embrace it, and watch your story come to life.

Your Writing Checklist!

  • Incorporate small, everyday conflicts like budgeting, household chores, and dealing with neighbors.
  • Show characters handling these conflicts to create relatability.
  • Use everyday conflicts to showcase character personalities and priorities.
  • Observe how characters react to small annoyances.
  • Focus on day-to-day struggles to add a layer of realism to your story.
  • Highlight the day-to-day grind of relationships and personal interactions.
  • Demonstrate how characters grow from dealing with everyday annoyances.
  • Illustrate character evolution through daily interactions and conflicts.
  • Capture the mix of frustration and humor in life’s everyday conflicts.
  • Let characters find the funny side of their daily struggles.
  • Show how characters handle the mundane together to strengthen their bonds.
  • Use everyday conflicts to highlight the strength and resilience of relationships.
A promotional image of Reginald's (from "I Married a Monster on a Hill") Willowgrove Writing Tips series. The image is covered in scrapbook paper and tape with characters surrounding him in the background.

About the “Willowgrove Writing Tips” Series

Welcome to the “Willowgrove Writing Tips” Series, inspired by “I Married a Monster on a Hill.” This collection of articles offers free writing advice inspired by Katya Stec and Tatiana Stec, who have over ten years of experience in the publishing industry. They’ve interviewed creators, editors, agents, publishers, and industry experts, and have been creating reaction and review content online for over a decade. Bookmark these pages for insights and tips to enhance your storytelling. Dive into Willowgrove Hills and learn how to create relatable, engaging stories.

All Ages of Geek is a fully independent media platform, brought to life and sustained by the dedication of two sisters and the generous support of our community through donations. We’re passionate about creating content that resonates with our audience, and we’re excited to share our latest project with you—an upcoming game developed with our unique vision and creativity. Explore our other content and see how you can support our journey. Your engagement and contributions make a significant difference. Thank you for being part of our story.

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