How to Create Conflict that Drives Your Story Forward

Introduction
Conflict is the engine that drives any story forward. It’s what keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to find out what happens next. But as indie authors, we sometimes fall into the trap of creating superficial conflict that doesn’t truly challenge our characters or propel the plot. Meaningful conflict isn’t just about throwing obstacles in the protagonist’s path; it’s about creating tension that forces them to grow, evolve, and make tough choices. In this guide, we’ll explore how to build deep, engaging conflict that raises the stakes and keeps your readers hooked from beginning to end.

Whether you’re a reader who loves stories filled with gripping tension or a writer looking to elevate your storytelling, this guide will provide you with practical steps to create conflict that truly matters.

Step 1: Identify Your Character’s Internal and External Conflicts
A well-rounded story features both internal and external conflicts that challenge the protagonist in different ways. Internal conflicts are emotional, psychological, or moral struggles that take place within the character. These conflicts often revolve around fears, doubts, desires, or past trauma. External conflicts, on the other hand, are obstacles that exist outside the character—such as antagonists, natural disasters, societal pressures, or any force that creates an external challenge.

A compelling narrative often intertwines these two types of conflict, creating a more layered and engaging story. Internal and external conflicts should intersect and influence each other, providing depth to both the character and the plot.

Example: In my novel, The Spare Heiress, the protagonist faces the external conflict of a looming threat from her enemies who want to steal her family’s fortune. At the same time, she grapples with an internal conflict—her fear of losing her identity and becoming just like her ruthless adversaries. The tension between her desire to protect her family and her fear of becoming something she despises drives her actions and decisions throughout the story.

Step 2: Raise the Stakes with Consequences
The key to keeping readers engaged is raising the stakes—what does your protagonist stand to lose if they fail? If the consequences of failure aren’t significant, the conflict may feel flat and unimportant. To create tension that truly hooks readers, make sure that each choice and challenge your character faces comes with high stakes and potentially dire consequences.

Ask yourself: What will happen if the protagonist doesn’t overcome their internal conflict? What if they fail to conquer the external challenges? The more dire and personal the stakes, the more invested your readers will be in seeing how the character navigates these challenges.

Consider escalating the stakes as the story progresses. Start with smaller risks and gradually build to more life-altering consequences. This can involve anything from the protagonist risking their reputation or relationships to facing physical danger or even death. The stakes should be proportionate to the story’s scale and theme but always high enough to maintain suspense.

Step 3: Create Obstacles That Force Growth
Conflict is most effective when it challenges the protagonist to grow and change. Instead of random obstacles, think about how each conflict can force your character to confront their deepest fears or flaws. The best conflicts push characters out of their comfort zones, making them confront aspects of themselves they would rather avoid. This leads to character development and creates a more satisfying narrative arc.

Example: In The Spare Heiress, every external conflict forces the protagonist to face her internal fears. When she’s betrayed by a close ally, it compels her to confront her trust issues and her fear of abandonment. Each obstacle not only moves the plot forward but also deepens her internal struggle, making her growth feel earned and organic.

Step 4: Use Conflict to Propel the Plot Forward
Every piece of conflict in your story should serve a purpose. It should either advance the plot or reveal something new about the characters. Avoid conflicts that don’t add value or that are easily resolved without any significant impact on the story or characters. Effective conflict will force your characters to make hard decisions that change the course of the story, keeping readers invested in the outcome.

Ask yourself: Does this conflict push the story forward? Does it reveal something new about my character? If the answer is no, it might be worth rethinking or refining the conflict to ensure it adds depth to the narrative.

Conclusion
Mastering conflict is essential for any compelling story. By giving your characters something to fight against—both externally and internally—you create a narrative that is rich, engaging, and emotionally resonant. The key is to raise the stakes for every decision, intertwine internal and external conflicts, and use these challenges to drive character growth. When done well, conflict not only keeps readers on the edge of their seats but also leaves a lasting impact, making your story unforgettable.

If you’re interested in learning more about crafting compelling stories or want to see how I build conflict in my own writing, make sure to follow my blog and connect with me on social media for more tips and insights!