CONFLICT THESAURUS

MISALIGNED GOALS



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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:
Power struggles, relationship friction, duty and responsibility

EXAMPLES:
One character wants to have a baby while her partner doesn't
One character wants to get married while the partner doesn't
One character wants to right a wrong while the other seeks to maintain the status quo
One character seeks growth and improvement while the other just wants to coast
The protagonist is romantically interested in someone who doesn't feel the same way
Business executives who have different goals for their company
One business partner has altruistic goals while the other is only out for profit
Acquaintances enter into conversation with different goals (one wants to be heard and affirmed while the other wants to dominate the exchange)
A parent wants to protect or control a child who is pursuing autonomy
One teen pursues a friendship because she wants to develop a relationship while the other person only does so to access an asset

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Tension in the relationship
Making assumptions about the other person based on their goals (they don't want kids so they must be selfish, their assertive business tactics mean they're aggressive and domineering, etc.)
Misunderstandings delaying the decisions that would lead to improvements (forward-thinking business decisions, pursuing self-actualization, etc.)
Not recognizing the root problem (misaligned goals), and getting stuck in the conflict

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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