How can you create a captivating conflict story?

Creating a captivating conflict story starts by defining the stakes. Establish what’s at risk, build tension, and develop characters whose motivations and actions drive the narrative forward.

Defining the stakes is all about finding the core emotion you're trying to get through. Maybe it's a feeling of "I was lost, I felt broken, I didn't know who I was anymore." Maybe it's imposter syndrome. Maybe it's not wanting to repeat your parents' mistakes. It's nothing to do with the external circumstances - so, in other words, the actual experience doesn't matter. What matters is how it made you feel. And, really, most of us only feel a limited number of core emotions. Endless nuance, but all stemming from the same few core emotions. If your audience can relate to that feeling, you're golden.

Know the purpose. Why are you telling this story? What message do you want to convey? What do the characters want, need or even fear? What are they willing to do or sacrifice to achieve or avoid it? How will their lives change if they succeed or fail?

We all need to understand that we are telling a story. A story which resonates, understand. If we offer them some imaginary characters, they can relate more to our story. Fear, Needs and wants are the basic human characteristics.

Robert McKee, author and Story Seminar creator, coined the phrase "Nothing moves forward in a story except through conflict" - and he's right. Conflict and our desire to resolve it is a (if not THE) core aspect of the human experience. It also happens to be the thing that drives your prospects and clients into working with you. Defining the stakes of any conflict is rooted in an understanding of character. In creative writing, conflict is the most important character development work you do, because it allows you to get intimately familiar with that character. When you're defining the stakes of a conflict story, take that character deep-dive (especially when the character is you) - it's going to propel the authenticity of the story.

In choosing conflict type, you're unequivocally choosing audience resonance - which is essential to keep in mind as you develop your conflict story. What kinds of conflicts have your audience likely experienced? What conflict type will they resonate with? Is your conflict story sufficiently topical to their day-to-day experiences? Remember that choice of conflict also comes down to the heart of your story. When deciding on conflict type, it's important that you take a moment to consider the underlying message you're endeavouring to leave your audience with. This deliberation will ensure your story and conflict type are entertwined, and so more likely to resonate.

Choosing the type of conflict in a story is a strategic decision that can significantly impact audience engagement. It's important to align the conflict with your audience's experiences or challenges. For instance, in corporate storytelling, a 'person vs. society' conflict could resonate with businesses facing regulatory hurdles. Similarly, 'person vs. self' conflicts can effectively illustrate personal growth or overcoming internal barriers, which can be powerful in leadership or personal brand narratives. Remember, authenticity is key in storytelling and your conflict should encapsulate the action you want your audience to take.

Determine the central conflict driving the story, whether it's man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, or man vs. society. Tailor the conflict to fit the genre and themes of your story, ensuring it resonates with your target audience.

I love these types of conflicts. It's the first time I'm hearing the distinction put like this. Always remember that there can be multiple types of conflict within a story (i.e. man vs. man and man vs. nature).

When crafting a compelling narrative, conflict serves as a pivotal element. It reflects profoundly human experiences, and selecting the appropriate type enhances audience engagement. In 'man vs. man,' characters personify the dual aspects of one's goal and its potential failure, culminating in a gratifying collision. Conversely, 'man vs. self' narratives are conducive to self-improvement themes, wherein the antagonist embodies conceptual challenges, making physical conflict arduous.

Developing both the antagonist and protagonist is important when creating a captivating conflict story. Without taking the time to fully develop each of these personas/characters, they may only be two dimensional...boring. For your story to really be captivating, you're going to need to dig deeper and make both three dimensional. You can do this by mapping out their motivations, conflicts of interest, values, etc. It's really whatever makes sense for the story you're telling.

In my experience, a well-developed antagonist can significantly enhance the impact of a business story. It's not about creating a villain but about presenting a challenge that tests the protagonist's values and capabilities. With etymological roots in 'opponent' and 'against,' we can see that our central character's learning and growth rely on such resistance to inspire action. A clear 'anti' adds depth, triumph, and meaning, but importantly, it also provides the blueprint of action you want your audience to take.

Notice how the greatest villain in the movies also has an awesome backstory? Having a strong antagonist is crucial. The best villains have their own desires, fears, and even (dare I say) a twisted sense of right! This creates a more complex conflict where the antagonist isn't just evil, but someone with a different perspective when they challenge your protagonist.

They need to have a sympathetic element. They may be an anti hero, but you need to demonstrate their humanity, their flaws. The likeable rogue perhaps. These are the things that make them relatable.

A compelling antagonist is the cornerstone of any captivating conflict story. They're more than just a villain; they're a mirror reflecting the protagonist's deepest fears, desires, and flaws. By fleshing out their motivations, backstory, and complexities, you humanize the antagonist, transforming them into a formidable force that challenges the protagonist on both a physical and emotional level. In doing so, you not only raise the stakes but also deepen the impact of the conflict, leaving readers breathless with anticipation as they witness the ultimate showdown between light and darkness.

As you structure your narrative to build the tension of your story (which typically crescendo in stories that are remembered), revisit your character development. There are numerous tension tools you can lean into (conflict is, in fact, one of them), like obstacles, dilemmas, questions that remain unanswered, situations that remain unresolved. With a conflict story, your audience is accompanying you on a transformation of character, and whichever tools for tension you choose, it's essential they serve that transformation - and the message it conveys to your audience.

My favorite way is to create an open loop while breaking a classic opinion. - Break a classic opinion will tell to people why they should listen you. - Create a open loop will give to people a reason to listen you until the end.

Making it a page turner involves leaving questions unanswered and igniting their curiosity so the reader is asking "what next?" "What will they do?" There has to be an element of peril for the protagonist. They summount one problem only to be met by another and another.

Build Tension Gradually. Tension should build gradually, creating a sense of anticipation. I use foreshadowing and pacing to increase the suspense. Small conflicts and challenges along the way keep the audience on edge, wondering what will happen next.

As John Le Carré once put it, "the cat sat on the mat" is not a story, but "the cat sat on the dog's mat" is. What's the difference? Well, one simply describes a fact with no inherent meaning, while the other places that fact within a context that hints at its significance—a clear part of a bigger story. A story, as a breathing, living entity, implies conflict. It doesn't matter if a story is short or long; it needs to carry a sense of intrigue and evoke emotion. When you share a conflict, it automatically sparks an emotional response. When you make people feel something, you move them emotionally, and that creates a deeper connection.

You might point out the difference here between what the hero wanted (dream), what was about to happen (disaster), and where the hero ended up. Maybe it's better than what was dreamed of, maybe it's just different. Bonus points if you incorprate how it made the hero feel (touching the emotional level).

The resolution of a captivating conflict story is not merely about tying up loose ends; it's about delivering a cathartic payoff that leaves readers feeling empowered, inspired, and transformed. Whether it's through a triumphant victory, a heartbreaking sacrifice, or a bittersweet compromise, the resolution should honor the journey of the protagonist, illuminating their growth, resilience, and newfound wisdom in the face of adversity. By offering closure that feels earned and satisfying, you leave readers with a sense of fulfillment and closure, reminding them that no matter how daunting the challenges may seem, there's always hope on the horizon.

Research the cultural norms that impact the people listening to your story. In some cultures it is permitted to beat children in school if they are perceived to misbehave, in others intolerance of religion is accepted as just the way it is. We all have a collective responsibility to tackle cultural norms and sharing experience of being the persecuted or oppressed offers a vulnerability that will tackle prejudice and inspire passion for resolution. Quite often simply having someone move to a place of realisation, that there but for the grace of their God, go they, is sufficient to spark change. Seeing you in themselves is powerful and authenticity allied to resilience and that vulnerability can unlock that door.

This is about the action that will be taken to address the conflict itself. I consider this the "Action" ingredient in the main event layer of my sprout model. It is important here that you are highlighting the nuts and bolts as such of the resolution, and then the impacts that this may have. There is also here an important transition that needs to happen to the what I call , end point, of your storytelling where you bring clarity and conclusion. Make sure you tie all the loose ends up, and where you may leave a little ambiguity - make sure it is by design.

Explaining enough without spelling it out. Half the fun is working it out for yourself and coming to your own conclusions. Showing not telling. Write it, leave it and come back and edit. Get AI to read it back to you out loud.

Don't fill in too much detail (e.g., don't show everything). Let the brain of your audience tap into their own memories to make the experience even more engaging.

As captivating as a conflict story might seem, reviewing and improving it is essential. Look at things like if the conflict is clear and exciting if the story makes sense, and if the characters seem real. Think about if your story has a unique voice and a good ending. It's helpful to ask others for their thoughts to make your story even better. By checking and improving your story, you can ensure it is exciting and memorable for your audience.

Start by creating characters with relatable desires, fears, and flaws. Build tension through a well-paced plot filled with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. Infuse the story with high stakes that keep the audience invested in the outcome. By immersing readers in the struggles and conflicts of your characters, you can create a narrative that resonates deeply and keeps them eagerly turning the pages.

Crafting a captivating conflict story is a journey of discovery and evolution, requiring constant reflection, revision, and refinement along the way. It's about honing your narrative voice, strengthening your character dynamics, and fine-tuning your plot twists until every word resonates with purpose and power. By embracing feedback, seeking inspiration, and never settling for mediocrity, you elevate your storytelling craft to new heights, ensuring that your story leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of readers for generations to come.

The majority of stories are rehashes of formulaic archetypes--and there's nothing wrong with that because they work. But if you are looking to do and therefore achieve something different, your story and the conflict that fuels it needs a twist--a differentiation. Romeo and Juliet was original in the 1500s--then it was copied to death until 1957 when the same conflicted story was placed in New York between rival gangs of different cultural and economic backgrounds. James Bond is the archetype for so may spy mystery books, TV shows, and films, but it was Kingsman--a twist on the whole British boarding school-raised spy that made audiences reconnect with the genre. What is the "twist" that will make the standard conflict that much stronger?

To craft a captivating conflict story, it's crucial to follow a structured approach. Start by defining the stakes – what's at risk for the characters involved? Choose the type of conflict that will drive the narrative forward, whether it's internal, interpersonal, or external. Develop a compelling antagonist to provide a formidable challenge for the protagonist. Build tension steadily throughout the story, keeping readers engaged and eager to see how the conflict unfolds. Finally, resolve the conflict in a satisfying and meaningful way that leaves a lasting impact on the characters and the audience. Review and refine your story, ensuring that every element contributes to its overall effectiveness and emotional resonance.

Edit Ruthlessly. Every scene, every line of dialogue should serve the story. By cutting out unnecessary elements and sharpening the focus on the conflict, you ensure that the story remains tight, engaging, and powerful.

To tell a captivating conflict story, it's important to humanize both sides of the conflict. Without doing this, the story can become flat and one-dimensional. You'll want to make sure to share why each side of the conflict feels a certain way to ensure neither side becomes villainized in the narrative. This will also allow your characters within the narrative to be more complex and three-dimensional, which can make it easier for your audience to connect with them.

Beyond the fundamental elements of crafting conflict, there are myriad factors to consider that can elevate your story from good to great. From the cultural nuances that shape your characters' worldviews to the thematic motifs that imbue your narrative with deeper meaning, every detail matters. By conducting thorough research, fostering empathy, and staying true to your creative vision, you imbue your story with authenticity, resonance, and universal appeal, ensuring that it transcends time and space to touch the lives of readers across generations and continents.