Conflict is the engine that drives your story forward, the beating heart that keeps readers invested. Whether you’re writing a romance, thriller, or science fiction epic, understanding how to craft compelling conflict is essential. Let’s dive into what makes conflict work and how you can master it in your writing.
What is Conflict in Storytelling?
At its core, conflict is the struggle between opposing forces. It creates tension, fuels character development, and propels the plot. Without conflict, your story risks becoming a dull sequence of events.
Conflict can take many forms:
Internal Conflict: A character grappling with their fears, doubts, or desires.
Interpersonal Conflict: Tensions between characters, such as rivalries, betrayals, or unrequited love.
External Conflict: Challenges from the outside world, such as natural disasters, oppressive regimes, or alien invasions.
The Ingredients of Great Conflict
Stakes: Why does the conflict matter? The higher the stakes, the more compelling the conflict. Will your character lose their freedom, their family, or their life?
Motivation: Each side of the conflict needs a clear, believable motive. Even antagonists should feel justified in their actions.
Complexity: Great conflict isn’t black and white. It’s messy, layered, and forces characters to make difficult choices.
Escalation: Conflict should intensify over time. Each obstacle should be harder to overcome than the last, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Types of Conflict
To make your story dynamic, consider layering multiple types of conflict:
Person vs. Self: A character struggles with their own emotions, flaws, or decisions. For example, in my book Fear the Reaper, Mathias faces the moral repercussions of his alliance with Luna, an Aiwan with questionable motives.
Person vs. Person: Two characters clash. This could be a fierce rivalry, like Renzo’s brutal battle with Choi Min-jun, or a subtler, emotional conflict.
Person vs. Society: A character fights against societal norms, corruption, or injustice. This could tie into themes like civil unrest or political intrigue.
Person vs. Nature: A battle against forces beyond human control, such as extreme weather or hostile environments.
Person vs. Technology: A conflict with machines, artificial intelligence, or advanced weapons.
Person vs. Supernatural: A struggle involving otherworldly beings or phenomena, like Luna’s telepathic abilities in Hunt the Reaper.
Creating Emotional Impact
To make conflict resonate with readers, ground it in emotion. Show how it affects your characters on a personal level:
Inner Turmoil: Reveal your character’s fears and hopes through their thoughts and actions.
Relationships: Highlight how conflict strains or strengthens bonds between characters.
Consequences: Make the fallout of conflict meaningful. How does it change your character or their world?
Tips for Writing Conflict
Start Small: Introduce minor conflicts early to set the tone and build momentum.
Raise the Stakes: Gradually increase the intensity of the conflict. Make your characters fight harder and risk more.
Avoid Clichés: Seek fresh ways to present conflict. Instead of a physical fight, could the tension unfold through a psychological battle or a series of strategic moves?
Show, Don’t Tell: Let actions, dialogue, and body language convey conflict rather than relying on exposition.
Resolution: Not all conflicts need a tidy resolution. Sometimes leaving a thread unresolved can add depth or set up future tension.
Conflict is what keeps readers turning the pages, rooting for your characters, and feeling the stakes of your story. By layering different types of conflict and grounding them in emotion, you can create a narrative that captivates from start to finish.
What’s your favorite way to write conflict? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you’re looking for more tips on storytelling, check out my other posts or grab a copy of Fear the Reaper for a deep dive into high-stakes, character-driven conflict.
Happy writing,
Todd