Conflict is the heartbeat of storytelling. It’s the force that propels your plot, challenges your characters, and keeps readers turning pages. Without conflict, a story lacks tension, stakes, and purpose. Whether it’s an epic battle, an emotional dilemma, or a clash of ideologies, conflict creates the drama and resolution that make stories memorable.
This guide explores the different types of conflict, how to craft meaningful struggles, and how to use conflict to elevate your storytelling.
What is Conflict in Writing?
Conflict is the opposition between characters, forces, or ideas that drives the narrative forward. It creates tension, raises stakes, and tests your characters’ limits. At its core, conflict arises from the question: What’s at stake?
Every great story features some form of conflict, whether it’s external, internal, or both.
Types of Conflict
1. External Conflict
External conflict occurs between a character and an outside force. It’s visible, action-driven, and often involves tangible stakes.
Examples of External Conflict:
- Character vs. Character: Rivalries, betrayals, or opposing goals (e.g., a hero versus a villain).
- Character vs. Nature: Struggles against natural forces like storms, wild animals, or survival in harsh environments.
- Character vs. Society: Battles against societal norms, injustice, or oppressive systems.
- Character vs. Technology: Conflict with advanced machinery, artificial intelligence, or innovations gone wrong.
Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss faces external conflict against the Capitol and the deadly Hunger Games arena.
2. Internal Conflict
Internal conflict is a character’s psychological or emotional struggle. It’s more subtle than external conflict but equally powerful.
Examples of Internal Conflict:
- Moral Dilemmas: Choosing between right and wrong, or two equally compelling choices.
- Emotional Struggles: Overcoming fear, guilt, grief, or self-doubt.
- Identity Issues: Wrestling with questions of self-worth, belonging, or purpose.
Example: Hamlet’s internal conflict revolves around his indecision and moral struggle to avenge his father’s death.
3. Relational Conflict
Relational conflict combines external and internal elements by exploring tension between characters. It often reveals deeper emotional truths and tests relationships.
Examples:
- Unresolved romantic tension.
- Family disputes.
- Power struggles within a team or group.
Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s initial misunderstandings create relational conflict that drives their love story.
Step 1: Establish What’s at Stake
Every conflict must have stakes—something the character stands to lose or gain. Stakes create urgency and make readers care about the outcome.
Types of Stakes:
- Personal Stakes: A character’s life, dreams, or relationships.
- External Stakes: The fate of a community, nation, or world.
- Emotional Stakes: Inner peace, redemption, or identity.
Example: In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s stakes are both personal (resisting the Ring’s corruption) and global (saving Middle-earth from Sauron).
Step 2: Align Conflict with Character Goals
Conflict arises naturally when a character’s goals are obstructed. Define your character’s desires, then create obstacles that force them to adapt, grow, or compromise.
Questions to Ask:
- What does my character want most?
- Who or what is standing in their way?
- How far is my character willing to go to achieve their goal?
Example: In Finding Nemo, Marlin’s goal to rescue his son is constantly obstructed by predators, unfamiliar waters, and his own fears.
Step 3: Layer Multiple Conflicts
Stories with multiple layers of conflict feel richer and more engaging. Combine external, internal, and relational conflicts to add complexity.
Examples:
- A protagonist battling an antagonist while struggling with self-doubt.
- A hero navigating a romantic relationship while fighting societal injustice.
- A team overcoming personal differences to achieve a shared goal.
Example: In Harry Potter, Harry faces external conflict with Voldemort, internal conflict about his identity, and relational conflict with his friends.
Step 4: Raise the Stakes
As the story progresses, escalate the conflict to keep readers invested. Increase the stakes, intensity, or consequences to heighten tension.
Techniques to Raise Stakes:
- Introduce unexpected obstacles or twists.
- Make success more costly or difficult.
- Add a ticking clock or deadline.
Example: In Mission: Impossible, every mission escalates with time constraints, double-crosses, and increasingly dangerous tasks.
Step 5: Show Character Growth Through Conflict
Conflict isn’t just about creating drama—it’s a tool for character development. How your characters respond to challenges reveals their personality, strengths, and vulnerabilities.
Questions to Explore:
- How does the conflict challenge your character’s beliefs or values?
- What strengths or weaknesses does the conflict expose?
- How does the character grow or change by the end of the story?
Example: In The Lion King, Simba’s internal conflict about reclaiming his role as king leads to personal growth and the resolution of external conflict with Scar.
Step 6: Use Conflict to Drive the Plot
Every scene should advance the story’s conflict, whether by introducing new challenges, complicating existing ones, or resolving a key tension.
Tips for Using Conflict Effectively:
- Start each scene with a clear objective for the character.
- End scenes with unresolved tension or a twist.
- Ensure every conflict has consequences that affect the story’s direction.
Example: In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s escalating conflicts with law enforcement, rivals, and his family drive the series’ plot.
Step 7: Avoid Easy Resolutions
Resolutions that feel too convenient or unrealistic weaken the impact of your story. Make your characters work for their victories, and ensure they face meaningful consequences.
Tips for Realistic Resolutions:
- Allow characters to fail or make mistakes.
- Show the costs of success (e.g., sacrifices, strained relationships).
- Avoid deus ex machina solutions where an external force solves the conflict suddenly.
Example: In Game of Thrones, victories often come with significant losses, adding complexity and weight to the resolution.
Step 8: Reflect Themes Through Conflict
Conflict should tie into your story’s overarching themes. Consider how your characters’ struggles reflect the larger ideas you want to explore.
Examples of Thematic Conflict:
- A story about redemption might feature characters seeking forgiveness or atoning for past mistakes.
- A narrative about freedom might include battles against oppression or personal limitations.
Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, the central conflict reflects themes of justice, morality, and prejudice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Lack of Stakes
Conflict without meaningful stakes feels unimportant. Ensure readers understand what’s at risk.
2. One-Dimensional Antagonists
Villains who lack depth or believable motivations weaken the story. Give your antagonist compelling reasons for their actions.
3. Resolving Conflicts Too Quickly
Rushing to resolve conflicts reduces tension. Allow time for struggles to play out naturally.
4. Overcomplicating Conflict
While layered conflict adds depth, too many unrelated issues can overwhelm readers. Keep conflicts focused and interconnected.
Tools to Enhance Conflict in Your Writing
- Scrivener: Organize and track conflicts across scenes and characters.
- Mind Mapping Tools: Visualize connections between different layers of conflict.
- Grammarly: Ensure clarity and consistency in your writing.
- Hemingway Editor: Refine scenes to maximize tension and impact.
