CONFLICT THESAURUS

BEING SADDLED WITH UNEXPECTED RESPONSIBILITY



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, 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:
Increased pressure and ticking clocks, relationship friction, duty and responsibility, loss of control

EXAMPLES:
An elderly parent suddenly declining to the point that the character must care for them
A parent dying and leaving the character in charge of their estate
The character becoming a legal guardian when the parents of her godchild are killed
The character getting pregnant unexpectedly
A man discovering he has fathered a child and now needs to be a parent
A working parent unexpectedly having to homeschool or supervise their child's virtual learning
An accident leading to the character's child becoming disabled
Downsizing at work that results in more responsibility for the character
The character's job description changing, resulting in added duties
A boost in clients or customers that results in more work for employees
Committee members quitting, leaving those who remain to pick up the pieces
A natural or manmade disaster (a terrorist attack, civil unrest, a typhoon, etc.) that creates additional responsibilities for the character

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Needing extra training to complete new responsibilities
Feeling overwhelmed
Having to work longer hours
Having to change jobs to accommodate a new schedule
Conflict with colleagues or teammates 
Lowered morale at work or with a volunteer organization 
Having to take time off work
Conflict with family members about the character's increased workload
Making mistakes due to stress, lack of experience, or time-management difficulties
Strained finances (from raising an additional child or paying medical bills for an elderly parent)
Having no time for fun or leisure activities
Having less time to spend with friends
Fearing they won't be able to manage or care for the person needing their help
Resenting the people responsible

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
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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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