Use research to create conflict

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Subject: Use research to create conflict

Use research to create conflict

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Friday, May 22, 2026

Hi Friend,

How do we do that?

Yes, we can use research to create conflict, not just accuracy -- as my guest (the novelist Sue Burke) this week on the podcast shared.

Here's how:

Start with your character’s immediate goal.

Choose one research lane, i.e., tech, ecology, travel, medicine, governance, ships, etc.

Go do research.

Based on what you uncovered, ask: what produces dramatic consequences for your main characters?

Map the problem to a specific story conflict and write a micro-scene forcing your character into a hard choice.

Go!

❤️

Upcoming events for writers and creative entrepreneurs:

Listen to this week's How to Write The Future podcast episode, "Goal-Based Sci-Fi Research with Sue Burke."
Gala Russ has 2 upcoming classes starting soon: Write Your Novel Summer Edition, starts in 2 weeks! (Register) and Write Your Novel: Deep Dive, starts mid-June: register for that here.
Join Gala's Substack Live, Monday, May 25, 10am Pacific on "How to Keep Writing Even When Summer Destroys Your Routine." Click here to be notified when she goes live. (I won't be there as I'll be traveling.)
Deepen and enliven your characters. Take the upcoming live class "Mastering the Art of Writing Interiority and Emotionality" with Heather Davis. Starts June 7th, so sign up now! (affiliate link)
Join my Edit Lab for science fiction and fantasy writers who feel stuck in revision so you can craft a polished manuscript you're excited to publish or submit. (At the Founders price for only a few more weeks!) Join here!
Bring clarity to your creative life. Steve Harper, screenplay writer and teacher, is teaching a 90-minute practical Zoom session for writers who want a clearer way to track submissions, deadlines, projects, money, and creative momentum using Excel. Thursday, May 28th from 3:00 - 4:30 pm PT / 6:00 - 7:30 pm ET. Register here.
Read the latest Writer's Fun Zone articles
You don’t have to revise alone. Download the Edit Your Novel Checklist and let it be your steady guide back into the work.

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Change-Change-Change

Lots of changes happening here as I reorganize some things in the background that will come out soon.

One of the main things that I'm doing right now is asking for your opinion on the next product to create. So please take this one question survey here.

Another thing that we're brewing in the background is a product to help creative writers who want serve other creative writers get their businesses started.

So you'll hear more about that in the coming weeks.

Another thing that I'm really excited about is getting on more podcasts.

So if you know of any that would be a good fit for me where I can talk about writing science fiction and fantasy, both from a writing teacher perspective and from an author perspective, send them my way.

That would be awesome.

Of course, I'm open to talking about creative entrepreneurship and filmmaking, too.

I am stepping into a new role in how I see myself, and that is as creative director.

I'm having a lot of fun fleshing out how this feels and how this looks.

I invite you to step into your big vision for yourself.

How does that feel? Pause. Feel.
And how does that look?
Write that down!

As always, my inbox is open. I would love to hear from you.

And very importantly, I believe in you. Your story, or your many stories, are important.

Please write them. I want to read them.

Please market them. Your readers are looking for them.

The time you spend on your creative work is worth it. You're worth it. And I believe in you.

Now go do some writing.

❤️

🎤 Goal-Based Sci-Fi Research with Sue Burke

How To Write The Future podcast, episode 205

“One thing I recommend is that if you’re really sure about something, look it up cause you’re probably wrong.”

-Sue Burke

In my latest episode, I interview Sue Burke, author and translator, on the importance of goal-based research, how it can help generate conflict in your stories, and avoid clichés.

Goal-Based Sci-Fi Research with Sue Burke

How To Write the Future podcast, episode 205

Read | Listen | Watch

❤️

This week's newsletter is brought to you by my shop for writers where I offer products -- ebooks and a prompt pack -- to help you get to your writing!

PRODUCTS TO GET YOU WRITING BY BETH BARANY

Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

PS. I'm looking to be on more podcasts in 2026. Do you have one that I'd be a good fit for? Let me know. Know any shows that I need to be on to talk sci-fi/fantasy writing? Send me an intro! Thanks!

*Are you in the San Francisco Bay Area? I'll be at the Bay Area Book Festival May 30-31 as a book lover meandering about, meeting writers, and having inspiring conversations. Want to meet for coffee? Let's connect!

💕 But wait there's more!

🎨 Looking for children's book clip art? Your hunt for inclusive clip art stops here. Get unique, brand new, handmade clip art every Tuesday from my friend and talented illustrator, Melquea Smith.

✨ PLUS a special guide on where and how to use them for only $9 a month here.

🎙️ I'm excited to announce that I'll be speaking at Alexa Bigwarfe's Marketing Bootcamp for Authors and Publishing Professionals, on "Heart-Centered Marketing": About values-aligned marketing for authors who've avoided it because it felt inauthentic. June 12-13, 2026. Tickets available now!

🎉 I'll be a speaker again at Rhonda Douglas's 2026 Book Finishers Summit coming at the end of June. Stay tuned! Doors open June 8th!

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If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too.

Help me help more writers!

Thanks!

❤️

Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!

*Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure* author.bethbarany.com

Including the award-winning, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer (Book 1), and Into The Black, about Janey McCallister space station investigator (Book 1)

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Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

For the last 20 years, she's been working with writers of all kinds.

She specializes in helping sci-fi and fantasy publishing-oriented novelists experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their books to the delight of their readers.

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