What is Conflict in a Story? Definition, Types, & How to Create It

By Julie Tyler Ruiz, PhD

CONTENTS:

• What is conflict in a story?

• Types of story conflict

• The purpose of story conflict

• Story conflict examples

• How to create conflict in your story: 6 steps

What is conflict in a story?

Story conflict is the central problem, challenge, or dilemma that the main character must confront to reach their goal. It’s the force that drives the character’s journey and keeps readers engaged. Conflict creates obstacles, stakes, and tension as the character navigates difficult situations that stand in the way of their desires.

Often, the conflict and the character’s goal are intertwined. For example, imagine a commoner and a prince in love, hoping to marry, only to be blocked by the disapproving royal family. The story unfolds as they strive to convince the royals to bless their union, while also considering leaving royal life behind in the name of true love. Through these trials, conflict shapes the lovers' path, their growth, and the story’s emotional core, making it a compelling, page-turning experience.

Types of story conflict

Conflict in a story falls under three main types, each of which you can use to drive the plot and deepen character dynamics in any genre.

• Central conflict is the story's primary struggle, often tied to the main character's overarching goal. The main character must resolve this central conflict to complete their journey. For example, in a love story, the central conflict might be societal or familial opposition to the relationship, making the lovers' struggle the focal point of the story.

• External conflict comes from outside forces that oppose the protagonist. These forces could be other characters, society, nature, or even fate. External conflicts are often tangible and provide visible obstacles for the main character to overcome, like a rival or nemesis, a storm, or societal pressure. They push the character to react and adapt, often bringing out hidden strengths or vulnerabilities.

• Internal conflict arises from within the character. It’s the clash of competing emotions, desires, or beliefs that create inner turmoil and self-doubt. This conflict may involve moral dilemmas, fears, or questions of identity. For instance, a character might wrestle with choosing between duty and personal happiness, forcing them to make difficult choices that reveal their true character and add depth to the narrative.

When these types of conflict are present in a story, it gains complexity and resonance, pulling readers into the character’s world and journey.

The purpose of story conflict

Conflict is the driving force of a story and serves a two-fold purpose:

• One is to engage readers by leveraging human psychology, their innate desire to see problems solved and obstacles overcome. When readers encounter a character facing a challenging predicament, they become invested in discovering the outcome. How will the character respond? Will they rise to the challenge, and what sacrifices or triumphs will that journey require?
• The other purpose for conflict is inside the story itself, propelling characters to take action. Conflict sustains tension, which keeps readers glued to the page. Without it, a story would be flat and static; conflict transforms a mere sequence of events into an actual story, with shape and contour.

Together, these purposes create an engaging, page-turning experience. Conflict both drives characters to act and compels readers to follow, making them care about each choice, struggle, and consequence. From the first chapter, conflict should hook readers’ attention. It’s what connects them to the character’s journey and keeps them coming back to find out how it all resolves.

Examples of story conflict

Let's take a look at how conflict works in two stories that differ greatly in plot, tone, theme, and historical significance. For both stories, I've shown:

• How conflict shows up immediately, right in the first line.

• The questions that these first lines raise in our minds, making us want to read on to get answers.

• How the conflict builds over the course of each plot.

Through this mini analysis of conflict, you can deepen your commitment to

Conflict in contemporary fiction: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (p. 2017)

This novel by Gail Honeyman tells the story of a loner in her thirties. At the beginning, Eleanor lacks meaningful relationships as well as a real outlet for her wit and intelligence.

The novel begins: "When people ask me what I do–taxi drivers, hairdressers–I tell them I work in an office."

Although the conflict in this one sentence is subtle, we’re already wondering, Why does the title character have nothing more specific, exciting, or even disparaging to say about her job? While there is nothing wrong with working in an office, the detachment in her tone is palpable, leading us to read on to find out whether Eleanor will describe the rest of her life this way.

As the plot continues, we see the internal and external conflicts in Eleanor's life deepen. She's lonely and socially isolated, binges on vodka every weekend to the point of blacking out, and has severe trauma from childhood. Through an unlikely friendship with her coworker Raymond, Eleanor journeys from isolation to connection. We turn each page to find out if Eleanor can heal and embrace a fuller life.

Conflict in historical fiction: The Underground Railroad (p. 2016)

This novel by Colson Whitehead tells the story of a young woman, enslaved on a Georgia plantation, who boards the Underground Railroad (presented in this story as a literal subterranean railroad), determined to make it north to freedom.

The novel begins, "The first time Caesar approached Cora about running north, she said no."

Reading this, we want to know, What will it take for Cora to say yes about running north? And what perils will she and Caesar face along the way? We sense her fear, the tremendous risk involved, and her initial reluctance. The conflict lies between the desperate desire for freedom and the instinct for self-preservation.

As Cora's journey to freedom unfolds, she faces many dangers and the constant threat of capture. At each stop along the Underground Railroad, Cora confronts the brutal realities of slavery. As readers, we are compelled to keep reading to find out what it takes for Cora to make it north and live a life of freedom.

How to create conflict in your story: 6 steps

Follow this guide to clarify and strengthen the conflict in your story, whether you’re working on an existing draft or beginning a new project. Here, you’ll focus on understanding your main character’s motivations, challenges, and growth. 

1. Explore the main character's core identity and motivations.

Begin by brainstorming the vital details about your main character. What do they want most? What stands in their way? Also, consider their circumstances at the story’s beginning. Reflect on how they feel about their situation, as their mindset and desires will fuel the conflict. For example, a character who feels trapped in a mundane life may be drawn to the chance of adventure, even if it entails risk.

2. Brainstorm central, external, and internal conflicts.

Identify the layers of conflict that drive your story. Define the central conflict, which forms the backbone of the plot, as well as external obstacles and internal struggles that bring out different sides of your character. In a thriller, for example, a character’s mission to expose corruption (central conflict) could be hindered by powerful enemies (external conflict) while they also confront self-doubt or fear of failure (internal conflict). These different layers add depth and keep readers engaged.

3. Align conflict with the story's message and themes.

Ensure your story’s conflict supports its overall theme and message. Think about what you want your story to say or the questions it raises. For instance, in a story about the cost of ambition, a character’s drive to succeed might conflict with their values, forcing them to question their priorities. Aligning conflict with theme helps you craft a more cohesive story that resonates on a deeper level.

4. Develop conflict that grows and escalates.

Plan how your story’s conflict will increase over time, raising the stakes and pushing the character closer to a breaking point. Each challenge that arises along the character's journey should make the central conflict feel more intense and harder to ignore. For example, a character trying to protect a loved one might face betrayal or unexpected threats, heightening the tension and making their goal seem nearly impossible to reach. This escalation keeps readers hooked as the plot unfolds.

5. Explore how the character responds to conflict and evolves.

Consider how your character reacts to each stage of conflict. What steps do they take to tackle challenges, and what outcomes follow? As they try new strategies and face setbacks, they should be forced to grow and adapt, revealing different aspects of their personality. For example, a character might start with a stubborn approach, only to learn that they need flexibility or empathy to succeed. Character growth is essential to a satisfying character arc.

6. Conclude with a meaningful resolution.

As you plan the story’s resolution, consider how the main conflict will come to a head and ultimately conclude, or whether it might persist in some form. Your character may achieve their goal, fall short, or face a surprising twist. Alternatively, they might find a way to move forward even if the conflict remains unresolved. The outcome should feel true to their journey and reflect the growth they’ve undergone, even if it’s not a “neat” ending. Whether it’s a victory, a hard-won lesson, or simply a new perspective, this ending should connect to the story's theme, giving readers a satisfying sense of closure and a meaningful end to the character's arc.

Takeaways

These steps will help you craft a conflict-driven story that feels true to your character and keeps readers turning pages. For more tips on building conflict and structuring plot, take a look at my articles on How to Write a Novel and How to Outline a Novel, which guide you through plot structure and help you build conflict across the entire story.