Writing Conflict
*originally published in the May 2018 edition of Hear Ye, Hufflepuff*

Narratives need conflict to drive them forward, but choosing a conflict or problem for your characters to face can be difficult.

There are two main types of conflict that you can incorporate into any story (internal and external) and within those are a few categories. Below, you can find examples of some of them. To choose the conflicts that work the best for your story, think about where you would like your character to be at the end of the story: What would you like your character to achieve? What will they have to overcome to reach that goal/state of being? Perhaps they could face a conflict like...

• Person vs. Self: An internal conflict where your character fights against an inner state of depression/anxiety/prejudice/fear/etc. can help readers get to know them and help a character grow significantly as a person.
  • Example: Eloise Midgen struggling with negative self-image because of being bullied for her acne
• Person vs. Person: One of the most common conflicts is an external one between two or more characters. 
  • Example: Harry and Draco's many disagreements; Aang vs. Zuko in Books 1 and 2 of ATLA
• Person vs. Nature: A character's difficulties against natural forces is another age-old conflict...literally since humanity first evolved.
  • Example: the trio getting past the Whomping Willow; Hagrid being lost and struggling in the mountains after fleeing from the giants; Odysseus vs. the raging sea in The Odyssey
• Person vs. Society: A character's conflict against society is often a long-term or daunting conflict. This sort of conflict can greatly help with worldbuilding in your story. 
  • Example: Muggleborns' fight to legitimize themselves as magical during Voldemort's reign; Katniss Everdeen's struggles against the Capital in Panem
• Person vs. Fate: This conflict can be very amorphous, but is also widely open to interpretation. Many fantasy stories employ it, but "fate" can also be tied to society's expectations, etc.
  • Example: Harry's difficulty deciding how to face his "destiny" after hearing the prophesy; Elizabeth Bennet's desire to marry for love while living in a society that says her fate is to marry for wealth/prestige in Pride and Prejudice
• Person vs. The Unknown: A character not knowing what is to come can very frequently create a cascade of further problems or conflicts.

Remember that conflict is what drives the plot of almost every story. Deciding on your character's desires and potential growth will help you decide on what conflicts they will face. Enjoy the process, and happy writing!