Conflict is a major part of story writing, as it drives the plot forward and develops character development. Whether it’s the protagonist’s internal battle or a clash between armies, the struggle is what makes the story exciting and compelling.
The first thing to think about when choosing a conflict is what it means for your story. A good conflict will push your characters towards their goals and raise the stakes for them to make it happen.
You want to choose conflict that’s appropriate for the story you’re telling and the genre you’re writing in. For example, if you’re writing a thriller, it would be more appropriate to write about a kitchen gunfight in a dark house than an epic fight between two armies.
Types of Conflict
There are four main types of conflict. These include economic, value, power, and personal. The causes of each type of conflict can vary widely, but there are some general themes that are common to them all.
In economic conflicts, people seek to get the most out of a limited set of resources. This can be done through a variety of methods, including gaining access to new opportunities.
This can cause people to behave in aggressive and hostile ways if they don’t receive the resources they desire. It can also affect their relationships with others.
Value conflicts are based on differences in preferences or beliefs. These can range from religious to political to social. They can be extremely serious, and if not resolved, they may turn into a physical confrontation that results in war.
The way these conflicts are fought can have an impact on the entire world. For example, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has had a large impact on the economies of the countries involved as well as on the citizens of those countries.
Power conflicts are also prevalent. These occur when people try to assert their authority and influence over others. They can also be influenced by external factors, such as the opinions of others or the laws of a particular country.
These can be very serious, and often involve a lot of violence and death. If they are not resolved, they can turn into a war that destroys the lives of millions of people.
Personal conflicts are a part of everyone’s life. It can be as simple as disagreements with parents or as complex as a divorce.
There are many ways to deal with personal conflict, so it’s important to find one that’s best for you and your situation. For example, it might be helpful to work with a professional mediator who can guide you through the process of resolving your problem.
Avoiding conflicts is a common approach, but it can lead to a false sense of control. It also doesn’t always solve the underlying problems, so it can lead to further problems later on.
To resolve these conflicts, you need to communicate your needs and wants clearly and in a calm, polite manner. This will help you to avoid the pitfalls of avoiding conflicts and to make them go away more quickly. You can do this by focusing on the interests of both parties and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.