CONFLICT THESAURUS

BEING TRAPPED



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CHOOSE MY PLAN

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:
Dangers and threats, loss of control, increased pressure and ticking clocks, no-win scenarios

EXAMPLES:
Fleeing from an enemy and running into a dead-end
Being forced up a tree or into a crevice by a wild animal
Retreating to an interior bathroom to evade a home invader
Being surrounded by an enemy force
Getting caught in a dangerous weather or environmental situation 
Getting caught in a lie with no way out but to tell the truth
Being forced to follow a life path that is unlivable or abhorrent 
Being stuck in an abusive marriage—because the character can't leave their kids, for instance
Being required to make a choice when there are no winning options
Being unable to climb out of poverty
Being trapped by the bonds of addiction; feeling incapable of escaping
A cognitively sound character being stuck in a body that doesn't work

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Being forced to share the predicament with people the character can't stand 
Having to formulate a plan of escape
Having very few resources to work with
The character's mobility being limited (because they're tied up, confined to a hospital bed, etc.)
Experiencing minor injuries from the ordeal
Having no one to turn to for help
Being trapped with other, more vulnerable people the character feels responsible for
The character's concerns or worries being minimized by others
Insomnia and mild physical ailments brought on by worry
A language barrier or injury that makes communication with other survivors difficult 
Being unable to share their feelings of frustration 
An unforeseen event (an injury, loss of a resource, etc.) disrupting the character's escape plan 
Being trapped alone and having no one to strategize with 

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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