CONFLICT THESAURUS

INDULGING WHEN ONE SHOULD NOT



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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, failures and mistakes, dangers and threats

EXAMPLES:
The character overindulging in cake or other sweet treats during a diet
Using performance-enhancing steroids when there's a chance of being randomly tested
Bingeing on food
Drinking heavily while taking prescription medicine
Accepting tempting food or drink from a character with suspicious motives
Heavy alcohol or drug usage the night before an important event
Eating indulgent foods while knowing they will exacerbate allergies or other health conditions
Excessive or unnecessary spending 
Repeatedly skipping class to play video games or binge-watch a favorite TV show
Drinking heavily when the character knows they need to drive home
Bringing home yet another pet—one the character can't afford to care for
The character responding to sexual impulses with someone when they shouldn't
Smoking, using drugs, or drinking too much while pregnant
Returning to the casino cash machine for more money despite finances being tight

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Being hungover at an interview, church meeting, or during a standardized test
Oversleeping due to a binge and being late to work
Slipping grades or work performance 
Gaining weight
Suffering when the character's food interacts with their medication
Feeling bloated and nauseous after overindulging
Minor allergic reactions or other food-related distress, such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
The character reaching the spending limit on their credit card
Romantic complications with a partner who wants to pursue a long-term relationship

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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