The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 1: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Paperback)

Plot compelling fiction with The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1). Part how-to, part brainstorming tool, it provides a myriad of conflict options in the form of relationship friction, failures and mistakes, moral dilemmas and temptations, pressure and ticking clocks, and no-win scenarios. Each conflict offers a range of possible consequences (from minor inconveniences to disastrous results) and gets you thinking about the character's emotional state, personal struggles, and how a meaningful challenge can impact them for the better.

This book will help you: 

• Create Compelling, Multi-Dimensional Conflict. With over 100 unique scenarios, this thesaurus offers a rich array of conflicts from moral dilemmas to adversarial showdowns, making it easy to find the perfect problem or obstacle to move story events along.
• Keep Readers Emotionally Engaged. The right conflicts build tension, raise stakes, and keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each scenario is designed to deepen reader investment as characters are forced to make tough choices and confront personal demons.
• Shape Characters Through Adversity. Conflict is a gateway to growth. Each entry gives you ideas on how adversity can hamper a character's efforts, result in failure, and present them with difficult moral choices. 
  
• Layer Consequences to Up the Ante. Infuse your plot with ticking clocks, relationship tensions, and no-win situations that make every setback feel consequential and deeply personal. 
  
• Master Internal Conflict. Understand what internal conflict is and why it’s essential for character depth. Then use that knowledge to create meaningful character arcs that encourage reader investment.
  
• Learn About Different Adversary Options. From frenemies to haters to villains, this thesaurus explores the range of adversaries your character might face.

This book is the first volume in The Conflict Thesaurus and can be used on its own. However, reader reviews indicate the two together facilitate a deeper understanding of conflict while providing more brainstorming options that cause trouble for characters. 

Read a sample
View the list of conflict scenarios in this book
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Looking for the digital version? This book is also available as a PDF and ebook.