Conflict - The Struggle

Lets face it, without a conflict you don't have much of a story. Does that mean that your story has to be about an epic battle to death, or that your character has to face some seemingly insurmountable obstacle on every page? No. Conflict is actually much easier than that.

But, before I blow your mind with the simplicity of conflict, let's talk about the different types of conflict. Don't worry, there are only two: internal and external. As their titles imply, internal conflict happens within the character, and external conflict happens outside of, or to, the character.

Example: Sally knows that her friend Amy's boyfriend is cheating, but doesn't know how to tell her friend, or even if she should.
Sally's struggle is an internal emotional one that takes place in her own head.

Example: Steve is on his way to his wedding when his car breaks down.
Steve's struggle is an external event that happens to him that he cannot control.

Pro Tip: Just because Steve's conflict is external doesn't mean he can't have an internal conflict to go with it.

Now that we've got the basics covered lets talk about what makes good conflict. There are only four components, but if you want your reader to care, you've got to have them all.

You need:
1. A character
2. Who desires something
3. But there is an obstacle
4. And something is at stake.

Lets elaborate our two examples.

Sally (character)
wants to tell her friend Amy that her boyfriend is a cheater (desire)
but doesn't know how (obstacle)
and if she doesn't her friend will get hurt (stakes)
OR her friend might find out that she knew all along and hate her for not telling her
OR cheating boyfriend finds out that Sally knows and threatens her

Steve (character)
want to get married today (desire)
but his car breaks down (obstacle)
and if he doesn't fond a way to the chapel he'll miss the wedding (stakes)
OR his fiancee was left at the alter before and is going to think he changed his mind
 ^ This could be a set up for an internal conflict that Steve may or may not be having.

And that's all there is to it. Just remember the four ingredients, and keep in mind that the higher stakes are the more the reader will care. CAUTION: Does that mean your character should be fighting off alligators to save the girl next door in every scene? No. Absolutely not. Please don't do that. Just have something to be lost or gained for your character. This gives them a reason to act.

Homework: Set up some conflict in whatever you are working on. Good Luck!

P.S. Happy St. Patrick;s Day! I've got Irish roots so I have always loved this holiday. It helps that my son is a red head and looks great in green!