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START MY 2-WEEK FREE TRIALThe conflict scenarios you build into your story will provide vital tension, allow opportunities for your character's growth (or failure), and keep the pace from dragging. Use this thesaurus to find the right conflicts—from minor to catastrophic—that will take your characters and story where you need them to go.
A CHILD WANTING TO LIVE WITH ONE'S EX
A LOVE INTEREST TAKING UP WITH SOMEONE ELSE
A PARTNER BEING UNWILLING TO COMMIT
A REPRESSED MEMORY RESURFACING
A ROMANTIC COMPETITOR ENTERING THE SCENE
AN ELDERLY PARENT REQUIRING CARE
AN ESTRANGED RELATIVE SHOWING UP
AN EX INTERFERING IN ONE'S LIFE
BEING ASSIGNED AN UNDESIRABLE PARTNER
BEING ASSIGNED AN UNPLEASANT TASK
BEING BETRAYED OR ABANDONED BY A TRUSTED ALLY OR FRIEND
BEING GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHEAT
BEING MISTAKEN FOR SOMEONE ELSE
BEING REJECTED BY A POTENTIAL LOVE INTEREST
BEING SADDLED WITH UNEXPECTED RESPONSIBILITY
BEING THRUST INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
BEING UNABLE TO FORGIVE SOMEONE
BREAKING OR DESTROYING AN IMPORTANT ITEM
BREAKING THE LAW FOR A GOOD REASON
CONFLICTING INTERNAL NEEDS OR DESIRES
DISCOVERING AN OUTCOME HAS BEEN FIXED
DOING SOMETHING STUPID WHILE IMPAIRED
FACING A CHALLENGE BEYOND ONE'S SKILL OR KNOWLEDGE
FACING A DIFFICULT DECISION WITH NO EASY SOLUTION
GETTING CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING WRONG
HAVING A ONE-NIGHT STAND WITH A CO-WORKER
HAVING FEELINGS FOR SOMEONE ONE SHOULDN'T
HAVING TO BETRAY A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE
HAVING TO BREAK SOMEONE'S HEART
HAVING TO DECIDE TO HELP OR DO NOTHING
HAVING TO PROVE ONE'S INNOCENCE
HAVING TO STEAL TO OBTAIN SOMETHING VITAL
INCURRING AN UNEXPECTED EXPENSE
LEAVING SOMEONE TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS
LOSING A SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION
MAKING A DISCOVERY THAT THREATENS THE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP
MISSING AN IMPORTANT MEETING OR DEADLINE
NEEDING TO SABOTAGE SOMEONE TO WIN
NEEDING TO SACRIFICE ONE FOR THE GOOD OF THE MANY
ONE'S INFIDELITY BEING DISCOVERED
REALIZING ONE IS AT A DISADVANTAGE
RECEIVING A BAD PERFORMANCE REVIEW
RUNNING OUT OF CRITICAL SUPPLIES
SACRIFICING ETHICS OR MORALS FOR THE GREATER GOOD
SENDING A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO THE WRONG PERSON
SOMEONE WITNESSING ONE'S MISBEHAVIOR
TAKING ADVICE FROM THE WRONG PERSON
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