CONFLICT THESAURUS

A FAMILY MEMBER DYING



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, relationship friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Loss of control, failures and mistakes

EXAMPLES:
Losing a family member to a serious injury or accident
A loved one committing suicide
A family member being murdered
A parent or sibling dying from natural causes
Losing a child to an illness or disease
A family member experiencing a catastrophic illness (stroke, heart attack, aneurism, cancer, etc.)
A wife or sister dying in childbirth
A family member overdosing

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Having to raise a child alone
Needing to arrange a funeral, cremation, or burial
Having to notify others of the loss
Incurring unexpected medical bills and debts
Having to handle the deceased person's obligations (landlord, social security, insurance, etc.)
The character needing to relocate their family
Discovering the deceased did not leave a will or trust
Arguing with loved ones over decisions
Needing to support others through the loss
Being hounded by the media (if the family member was well-known)
The character having to execute a will they don't agree with 
Dealing with gossip, awkward conversations, and questions 
The character discovering they were left out of the will

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
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IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
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WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
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POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
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