Conflict is the clash between two or more people with different ideas, beliefs, or backgrounds. It may involve different perspectives or opinions, personality differences, power and status issues, or scarcity of resources. Conflict is not always constructive and can lead to feelings of hurt, anger and frustration. However, when handled in a healthy manner, it can lead to increased understanding and better relationships. Conflict resolution is the process of negotiating with an opponent to reach an agreement that benefits both parties. It involves identifying the interests of both individuals and looking at their logic. The goal is to find solutions that will benefit all involved and create long-term peace.

Conflict can be found in many places – the natural world, society as a whole, or even within one person. It often appears when a character wants something but someone or something stands in their way. This can be another character who also wants the same thing, or it could be an obstacle that is completely in opposition to what they want.

There are several different types of conflict: interpersonal, organizational and intergroup. Interpersonal conflict is a clash between people who are connected by a relationship, such as siblings, friends or co-workers. Organizational conflict is a dispute that arises between members of an institution, such as a business, school, religious organization or sports team. Intergroup conflict occurs when there is a disagreement between different social classes.

A key aspect of conflict is the opposing forces that stand in the protagonist’s way. This can be other characters, the natural environment or it could be an internal struggle within the protagonist themselves. Often, the final hurdle in a conflict will be so large that it seems impossible to overcome. This is what gives tension to a story and what keeps readers engaged.

The last aspect of conflict is how the characters deal with their troubles. This can show how the characters grow throughout the story and also reveal their personalities. Nothing tells us more about a person than how they handle themselves in a time of crisis.

Conflict brings stories to life and is essential for any good narrative. Though it may seem like a difficult element to add to your story, it is well worth the effort because it will greatly improve the overall quality of your writing. If you don’t have conflict in your story, it will feel flat and lackluster to the audience. Adding conflict will not only make it more interesting, but it will also help your audience connect with the characters in your story. Conflict is the heart of storytelling and it’s important that you take your time to develop the best possible conflicts for your story. Start thinking about your story’s conflict now!