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How do you write conflict that challenges your readers and provokes their emotions?

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Conflict is the engine that drives any story, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Without conflict, there is no tension, no suspense, no drama, and no interest. Conflict creates challenges for your characters, obstacles for your goals, and dilemmas for your decisions. It also evokes emotions in your readers, making them care about the outcome and engage with your message. In this article, you will learn how to write conflict that challenges your readers and provokes their emotions.

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1 Types of conflict

Conflict can be classified into four main types: internal, external, interpersonal, and societal. Internal conflict is the struggle within a character, such as a moral dilemma, a fear, or a flaw. External conflict is the struggle against an outside force, such as a villain, a natural disaster, or a deadline. Interpersonal conflict is the struggle between two or more characters, such as a love triangle, a rivalry, or a betrayal. Societal conflict is the struggle against a larger group or system, such as a war, a prejudice, or a corruption. Each type of conflict can create different effects and appeal to different audiences.

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George Anders
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During my time at The Wall Street Journal, I probably wrote 20+ front page features that were modeled on the metaphor: "Big storm, brave sailor, small boat." The key insight here is that you've got three variables in play -- not just the obvious pairing of your character facing down a grim oppositional force. Everything becomes more fascinating, scary, etc. if your character lacks sufficient resources to win. (This is the metaphorical small boat.) So, if she or he needs to outrun danger, give your character a twisted ankle. If they need to raise money to rescue a kidnapped child, have them be the victim of bank fraud, with frozen or lost assets. We readers care more if the characters' vulnerabilities could upend things at any time.

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Alec McCabe

News manager and senior editor with strategic and operational experience. Built Investopedia's newsroom; edited award-winning enterprise at The Real Deal. Veteran Bloomberg News manager and editor.
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“Call me schlemiel” may be the best WSJ lede ever for a story about a small boat and a reporter trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean

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2 Sources of conflict

Conflict can arise from various sources, depending on your genre, theme, and plot. Some common sources of conflict are: goals, values, beliefs, needs, desires, expectations, secrets, misunderstandings, mistakes, and flaws. These sources can generate conflict within a character, between characters, or between a character and the environment. To create effective conflict, you need to identify the sources that are relevant to your story and explore how they affect your characters and their actions.

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3 Levels of conflict

Conflict can also vary in intensity and duration, depending on your story structure and pace. Some conflicts are minor and temporary, such as a disagreement, a setback, or a distraction. These conflicts can add variety and realism to your story, but they should not overshadow the main conflict. Some conflicts are major and long-lasting, such as a quest, a rivalry, or a revolution. These conflicts can shape your story arc and drive your characters to change and grow. To create compelling conflict, you need to balance the levels of conflict and escalate them as your story progresses.

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4 Resolution of conflict

Conflict is not only about creating problems, but also about solving them. The resolution of conflict is the outcome of your story, the result of your characters' actions and choices. The resolution of conflict can be positive, negative, or mixed, depending on your genre, tone, and message. A positive resolution is when the conflict is resolved in favor of the protagonist, such as a victory, a reconciliation, or a reward. A negative resolution is when the conflict is resolved against the protagonist, such as a defeat, a loss, or a punishment. A mixed resolution is when the conflict is resolved with both positive and negative consequences, such as a compromise, a sacrifice, or a lesson. To create satisfying conflict, you need to make the resolution logical, believable, and meaningful.

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George Anders
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The Harry Potter novels are quite masterful at this. At the simplest level, JK Rowling's ability to offer the full spectrum of outcomes makes for much greater variety. Beyond that, once we realize that conflicts often will resolve in unexpected ways, each new scene becomes more suspenseful.

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5 Tips for writing conflict

Writing conflict can be a difficult task, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. To craft conflict that engages readers and stirs their emotions, it is important to understand your characters and their motivations, the genre and audience, the theme and message, the plot and structure, and the style and voice. Conflict is a key element of any story, and it can make or break your writing. By being aware of the different types, sources, levels, and resolutions of conflict, and by following some tips, you can create conflict that challenges your readers and provokes their emotions.

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Dan Edelen

Marketer | Editor | Strategist | Mentor
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Create character sheets that outline several hidden scripts within each character to drive conflict. Pick scripts readers identify with. Conflict: a father fights with his son about the son's reluctance to take over the family business. Father's scripts: He lost the same clash with his father—but duty prevailed. He also has an estranged daughter, who hates the family business. The father loves the daughter more than the son. Son's script: He has an illicit lover he wants to join overseas. Also, he feels his father never listens to his wants, only his sister's wants. Set those hidden scripts in motion and see where they take the visible conflict. The unfolding scripts may even alter the planned direction of the main plot or subplots.

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George Anders
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Actually, I'd argue that writing conflict can be one of the simplest and most powerful ways to keep the narrative rolling forward. People on Twitter spin up conflict all the time -- often faster than I can tie my shoes. If anything, once you let conflict into your writing, you may need to fight hard to keep it from overwhelming everything else. It can become the Ice 9 of narrative.

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How do you write conflict that challenges your readers and provokes their emotions?

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1 Types of conflict

2 Sources of conflict

3 Levels of conflict

4 Resolution of conflict

5 Tips for writing conflict

Writing

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How do you write conflict that challenges your readers and provokes their emotions?

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1 Types of conflict

2 Sources of conflict

3 Levels of conflict

4 Resolution of conflict

5 Tips for writing conflict

Writing

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