It's important to realize that the great dangers in life and in literature are not necessarily the most spectacular. Another mistake frequently made by young writers is to think that they can best introduce drama into their stories by way of murderers, chase scenes, crashes, and vampires, the external stock dangers of pulp and TV. In fact, all of us know that the most profound impediments to our desire usually lie close to home, in our own bodies, personalities, friends, lovers, and families. More people will suffer a parent's neglect than a stranger's violence; fewer will die from a gunshot than a heart attack; more passion is destroyed at the breakfast table than in a time warp.

Janet Burroway, Writing Fiction, Tenth Edit…, loc. 416