Conflict Box?

I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught. ~ Winston Churchill

American Title Fourth Round Voting started. Go forth and Vote! I did (though I have to admit, I didn't love any of the entries this time... weird, because I've had a hard time choosing the best the past few times).

So... I've been trying to get my brain around the latest Crusie/Mayer workshop post, The Central Question and the Conflict Box.

I've had a hard time. I've sent my confusion out into the world (or at least to a few writing friends) who have tried to help me out, but still... some days I wonder if my IQ is around 7.

Fact is, two of my four novels (and most of my short stories) DO NOT work in her conflict box. Period. I wondered for a couple of days about changing something so that they would, but then thought -- it's only one person's idea of what is "right" (though apparently it's more than one person's, and I appear to be the only one stymied by the whole thing. I came to this conclusion after reading the comments on the post -- all raving about how wonderful it is, and what an eye-opening experience).

In fact, at one point Jenny points out that the story, "Cinderella" doesn't fit in the conflict box. And, well, that story seems to have stood the test of time -- AND spawned dozens of stories and movies that mimic the basic storyline.

So maybe I should just get over the whole conflict box thing and just write again. I've spent WAY too much time the past two days pondering that fact that my conflicts are somehow wrong and need fixing.

The hard part is that I love Jenny's writing, and figure that she must know what she's talking about, so for me to disagree with her makes my head hurt.

Guess I'll just have to take an aspirin.