How to Write Character's Inner Conflicts?

 

by: Nili DooL

Inner conflict arises from dissonance between what a character wants and what is morally wrong. Depending on what kind of character you're writing, it could cause certain changes in and around them.

It could affect a character's emotions, mood, routine, schedule, performance, etc.

There are many types of conflicts:

• Religious conflict
• Moral conflict
• Self-perception conflict
• Love conflict
• Political conflict
• Societal conflict
• Existential conflict.

You can use many or all of them in your story for your characters. These could affect a character's relationships, work, beliefs, ethics, systems, environment and such.

For the following examples, we'll use character Dani~

Now, he has to choose between two groups - group A and group B.

Both groups have certian pros and cons. He has to choose between the two (more on this later)

by: Nili DooL

Ultimately, this choice he has to make makes him more anxious, moody and tense around others. Espeically if the choice may go against his moral values or he may risk hurting someone he cares about (if he makes the wrong choice)

He may start to overthink his choice and blow it out of proportion.

All of this could affect his relationships with his friends, family and others (who may or may not be aware of his inner conflict).

by: Nili DooL

HOW TO PLAY WITH EXTERNAL CONFLICT?

After exploring how inner conflict may affect our character, let's explore dealing with the conflict itself.

 Let's make our character choose between two groups (but that doesn't have to always be the case; this is simply an example almost everyone could relate to).

Now, let's start with the scenario...

So our Dani has to choose between two groups - group A and group B. He has to make this choice, or he may disappoint his friends (just adding some drama for the scene).

by: Nili DooL

After analysing both pros and cons between the two groups, Dani has a few options:

 - He could choose either A or B. This might affect his certain friendships and later regret that he can't access the pros of the other group.

 - Another option for him is to choose both and fool both groups into believing he's on their side, while he uses the cons from each. Basically, he'd only look after himself.

 - He could simply choose neither and live his life in solitude and peace. These could have both negative and positive effects.

 - There's also an option for him to start his own group and make his own rules. Espeically if he believes he can do things better. As he could see what both groups did right, and put it in his own group.

Remember to take care of yourself and don't write while you're tired or sick.

Remember to rest!

by: Nili DooL