CONFLICT THESAURUS

FACING A DIFFICULT DECISION WITH NO EASY SOLUTION



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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:
Moral dilemmas and temptations, relationship friction, duty and responsibility, no-win scenarios

EXAMPLES:
The character having to reveal hurtful information to a loved one
A child having to choose which parent to live with
An employee having to following a boss's unethical command or be fired
The character having to decide if they should move away to attend college or stay home to work and care for a relative
Being forced by someone in authority to reveal incriminating information about a friend
Choosing between a risky dream job or a stable job that won't bring fulfillment
A family member having to decide whether or not to pull the plug on a relative
Having to lay off loyal, high-performing employees
Only having the time or resources to save the life of one person and having to choose which one
Having to sacrifice one person so many more can be saved
The character sacrificing their morals to survive
Being forced to pick the lesser of two evils

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Having to share upsetting information with someone
Making an agonizing choice and not being appreciated for it
Becoming embroiled in drama with people who are affected by the decision
Being criticized by people who disagree with the character's choice
Being pushed or bullied by people to make a certain decision
Having to adjust to changes because of the decision (starting over in a new place, a child seeing one parent less than the other, etc.)
Procrastinating and making things worse
Over-researching the options and potential outcomes and becoming more confused
Needing more time or information to make an informed decision and having neither 

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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