How to Write Conflict in Fiction

Conflict

Conflict is a term used to describe a situation where two or more people disagree with each other over something. Often, this can be a work-related issue like a project deadline or a workplace policy, but it can also be an interpersonal matter between friends and family members.

The underlying reasons for the conflicts are a wide variety of things, including emotion, greed, and unresolved anger issues. These issues can lead to stress and explosions, which can make the resolution of the conflict more difficult.

When the situation escalates, it can be important to calm down and think about the reasons for your emotions. Focus on the problem and the needs of both parties. Try to avoid assigning blame and shaming the other person, especially when they are wrong, as it can cause them to become defensive.

Understanding the underlying issues is essential for conflict resolution. It will help you to avoid the destructive effects of escalation and can also help you determine the best solution for the problem.

In most cases, the underlying issue that causes conflict is something within the character’s own mind. This could be a decision that the character has to make or a weakness that they must overcome, for example.

This is usually resolved by the character learning to face the obstacle they created, or finding a way to overcome the challenge. For example, in Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” the central character has to overcome a white whale that is attacking him and his ship.

Other examples of this type of conflict include natural disasters, animal attacks, and weather. In some cases, this type of conflict may be resolved by the character learning to live with nature and trusting it to take care of them.

Another way to resolve this type of conflict is for the character to learn to accept the fact that they are not in control of everything around them, and that their actions are not always in their best interests. For example, in a story like “The Revenant,” the main character is forced to accept his fate and live with the consequences of his actions after he is attacked by a bear.

Creating conflict for your character is an effective way to build suspense and interest in the story. You can have this conflict develop over time or use it to drive the plot forward quickly.

There are three major types of conflict in fiction: internal, external, and antagonistic. Each has its own rules of development, but the one you choose will depend largely on your protagonist’s main desire.

Most stories begin with a conflict that challenges the main character to do something, whether it’s battle alien forces, become a better parent, get a college degree, stop a catastrophic event, or find the perfect guy. Whatever the trigger is, it’s a key part of the story and must be dealt with in a manner that leads to positive outcomes.