Internal+Conflict

Conflict

Internal Conflicts **Story Events Prompt Character Internal Conflicts **

by Kim H Peres

Character internal conflict is conflict of ideas. A character needs to make a decision of some kind and doesn't know for certain which way to go. If that character isn't certain of what they desire the decision they make will be on that front. Internal conflict could also arise in regards to evidence this character is using to base decisions on. Most often these decisions then lead to actions but they are triggered by something; they don't just arise. Conflict is the stuff of stories and the things that bring it to the fore shape and guide that conflict.


 * Physical **

A physical sensation can be the beginning of an internal conflict. It needn't be just pain that we want to avoid, it can be a pleasurable feeling that we want to repeat. Hunger is something we daily encounter that prompts an internal (albeit banal) conflict as to what to eat. Broken bones can start off a conflict of where to have it mended, especially if you don't have insurance. The physical pleasure of a narcotic can lead someone toward inner conflicts over the morality of it or the best way to score it next time.


 * Emotional **

Emotions can be misleading as to what they really mean, but they certainly can motivate an internal conflict. Becoming sad suddenly can move you to tears but also to an exercise in finding out what the problem is and what to do about. Anger, despondency, or anxiety can just as easily move you to reflection that will always include internally sifting conflicting methods to alleviate the condition or to create the mental conditions necessary to even be able to competently make such a decision.


 * Mental **

Sometimes a thought occurs to us or we hear an off-handed remark and it sets us to thinking and thus an internal conflict. Considering the opposite of whatever you currently think, though commonplace, is conflict. If you see someone you went to school with become successful in an area you once showed promise, it may prompt you to either rationalize your current situation or get back into the passion you've let rest for too long.

Some inner conflict is just not that exciting or experienced nearly identically by most people and not worth writing about. Figuring out what to wear each morning isn't enough in itself to hold interest but it can be the start of something. I bring these catalysts up not just that they may be written about in stories, but more to help round out the character you are writing stories about. Everybody has an impetus to what they do. Nobody is born an action hero or criminal. We all have prompts that get the ball rolling and that ball always starts with internal calculation before we decide to take an action.