CONFLICT THESAURUS

HAVING TO PROVE ONE'S INNOCENCE



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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:
Increased pressure and ticking clocks, failures and mistakes, relationship friction, loss of control, ego-related conflict

EXAMPLES:
The character being accused of something they didn't do
The character being framed for someone else's crime 
A case of mistaken identity leading to an unfair accusation 
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, making the character appear guilty by association or involved in some way
The character getting caught doing something harmless that looks suspicious—such as forgetting where they parked their car and trying to unlock the wrong one
An innocent character being suspected because they were guilty of a similar act in the past

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Awkward conversations with the accuser as the character pleads their case
Time taken from other activities to prove innocence
Having to take time off work to make statements or meet with people
Feelings of frustration or anger about the false accusation
Anxiety about whether they will be able to clear their name
Not knowing where to start in gathering evidence 
Having no alibi for the incriminating event 
Conflict with other characters who are intent on finding the character guilty
Having to answer difficult questions under duress
Shouldering the burden of people thinking the character is guilty
Losing friends who can't accept the character's innocence
Struggling to fully clear their name, even after proving their innocence

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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