Fun, Games and Obstacles

The "fun and games" section of a romance novel is the phase where your hero and heroine spend time together, deepen their connection, and let the sparks fly. If it’s a found family, buddy caper, or strangers on quest, this is also the time that the games begin and they have to figure out how to work together to forge the bonds that will have them survive the ordeal.

The middle of your book, practically all of Act Two is filled with Try Fail Cycles of your characters trying to win against the odds. In a romance, they might play the game of Three Dates and a Disaster. In a mystery there might be Three Clues and the Killer. In a thriller, they could experience Three Thrills and a Bang.

My question, as someone who likes specifics, is what are these dates or clues or thrills? Can I define them any further. And the answer is yes. I believe there are four types of obstacles characters face in as they try and fail and the fun and games of the second act.

FOUR TYPES OF OBSTACLES

I think there are four types of obstacles that characters face. They consists of four physical and/or internal complications that force the hero or heroine to make decisions that produce dramatic action. I’m going to use some fairy tales to help illustrate my point.

1. The Antagonist (Bad Guy)

A specific antagonist lends clarity and power to the dramatic structure because his primary function is to oppose the protagonist. He doesn’t necessarily have to be evil, but he should personify the protagonist’s obstacles.

In Cinderella, her Wicked Stepmother does everything in her power to oppose Cinderella’s happiness. She withholds her own affection, which is Cinderella’s want, and then obstructs every chance at Cinderella’s grab for true love.

In the Cinderella adaptation Ever After, Danielle (heroine) works tirelessly to gain acceptance (want) from her stepmother (antagonist) until she realizes her family of friends, including the Prince, love her unconditionally (need).

2. Physical Obstructions

Physical obstructions are just what they seem –material barriers standing in the way of the protagonist. These can be rivers, deserts, mountains, a dead-end street, or a car causing a crash –anything that presents a substantial obstacle for the protagonist.

Arielle’s fin prohibits her from walking on land to meet her true love. She wants to be apart of the human world and gives up those fins, only to find a new obstruction in the way to her goal -the loss of her vocal cords.

In The Little Mermaid adaptation Splash, yes I went there!, Madison (heroine) leaves the sea to be with Allen (want) but when her legs get wet and her fins come back (obstacle) she’s forced to tell Allen the truth of her existence in the hopes that he’ll come and spend forever with her under the sea (need).

3. Inner/Psychological Problems

Inner obstacles are intellectual, emotional, or psychological problems the protagonist must overcome before being able to achieve his goal. For example, dealing with fear, pride, jealousy, or the need to mature fall into this category.

Though Fiona’s greensome appearance is thrust upon her by magic, she stands in her own way to true love because outward appearance matters to her more than what’s on the inside. She bumbles around on this obstacle course of inner beauty until she can finally see that she and her heroic ogre are perfect the way they are.

In the unconventional fairytale Shrek, Princess Fiona (heroine) hopes to be rescued by a knight in shining armor (want) who will break her curse (obstacle) until she realizes that true love is “color” blind (need).

4. Mystic Forces

Mystic forces enter most stories as accidents or chance but they can be expressed as moral choices or ethical codes, which present obstacles. They can also be personified as gods or supernatural forces, which the characters have to contend with.

In the Princess and the Frog, magic forces alter Tiana’s life. As she struggles to hop free of its hold she faces the possibility of having to let go of the love she’s found in an effort to have her dreams come true.

In Disney’s jazzy adaptation of the fairytale, The Princess and the Frog, Tiana (heroine) aims to fulfill her father’s dream of opening up a restaurant, but she’s turned into a frog (obstacle) and is only rescued by the love (need) of a frog prince

What are the obstacles your character will be facing as they struggle towards their goal?

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