Conflict: PUBLIC HUMILIATION

PUBLIC HUMILIATION

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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.

Infidelity being made public (through a sign on the lawn, a billboard ad, announcing it at a wedding or family event, in a mass email, or on social media)
Private letters, images, or a video being shared online
The character being negatively singled out in front of peers
Being ridiculed by family or friends at a group event
The character's dirty laundry being aired publicly
An explosive secret (drug use, sexual fetishes, criminal behavior, etc.) coming out
The character being put on the spot when they're unprepared or at a disadvantage
Being made guilty by association (a spouse's drunkenness at a company event, an adult child who has a very public arrest, a family scandal erupting, etc.)
The character being forced to do something in public that they believe is beneath them (due to their status, prestige, wealth, etc.)
Serving a punishment that puts the character's transgression on display—e.g., being forced by a parent to hold a sign on a street corner about the character's bullying

Friends and connections distancing themselves, leaving the character to deal with the fallout alone
The rumor mill spinning, adding to the drama
Not knowing who to trust
Being shunned by neighbors or co-workers
Having to explain what happened over and over
Having to pay for legal advice
The character changing their routine to avoid being harassed or ridiculed
Having to give up beloved activities or hobbies to protect one's privacy
Feeling trapped at home by reporters, protesters, etc.
Having to wear a disguise in public
The character's family members being inconvenienced or harassed
The character's words being twisted by the media to fit a news-worthy narrative
Feeling watched
Past actions being dragged into the spotlight and examined
The character's reputation being damaged
Having a membership or award revoked
Feeling uncomfortable around others due to being judged
Being unwelcome at a club, event, or establishment
Being threatened or harassed
Being bullied or targeted online

PUBLIC HUMILIATION

HELPFUL TIP:

CATEGORY:

EXAMPLES:

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:

RESULTING EMOTIONS:

POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:

PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:

NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:

IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:

WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:

POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:

POSITIVE OUTCOMES: