Every scene needs tension, and when it comes to adding conflict to our stories, the options are virtually limitless. Looking for a source of conflict that will create inner turmoil for the protagonist, undermine their relationships, block them from achieving important goals, or just frustrate them to the point of doing something stupid?
We’ve examined these ideas and more, exploring the emotions that may results, complications that could arise, and their impact on the character’s basic human needs, among other things. Use the linked TOC below to see a sampling of what this thesaurus can offer.
Conflict is such a large topic, we needed two books to tell its story!
If you want to take your knowledge of conflict to a new level and apply the full breadth of its superpowers to your story, we urge you to check out The Conflict Thesaurus GOLD (Vol 1) and SILVER (Vol 2) editions.
Recommended Reading
What Is a Conflict Thesaurus?
A Mother Lode of Resources on Writing Conflict
Check out these samples from our popular Conflict Thesaurus
A Car Accident
A Competitor Showing Up
A Deadline Being Moved Up
A Delay that Makes One Late
A Divorce or Breakup
A Partner Being Unwilling to Commit
A Romantic Competitor Entering the Scene
A Repressed Memory Resurfacing
An Elderly Parent Requiring Care
An Estranged Relative Showing Up
An Unexpected Pregnancy
An Unwanted Romantic Advance
Bad Weather
Being Assigned an Undesirable Partner
Being Blackmailed
Being Falsely Accused
Being Forced to Marry
Being Forced to Move
Being Given an Ultimatum
Being Given Bad News
Being Ignored or Blown Off
Being Mistaken for Someone Else
Being Offered an Easy Way Out
Being Physically Assaulted by a Stranger
Being Sabotaged
Being Turned Down by a Potential Love Interest
Being Unable to Save Everyone
Being Unprepared
Confiding In the Wrong Person
Discovering a Spouse’s Secret
Discrimination or Harassment
Doing Something Stupid While Impaired
Experiencing a Crisis of Self-Doubt
Facing a Challenge Beyond One’s Knowledge or Skill
Failing at Something
Family Secrets Being Revealed
Getting Caught in a Lie
Having Feelings for Someone Who is Off-Limits
Having to Work with an Enemy
Lacking an Important Resource
Losing a Bet
Losing a Job
Losing a Phone
Losing One’s Temper
Misaligned Goals
Nepotism at Work
Peer Pressure
Physical Exhaustion
Public Humiliation
Pulling the Plug on Someone
Running Out of Critical Supplies
Seeing an Ex with Someone New
Sending a Private Message to the Wrong Person
Taking Advice from the Wrong Person
The Death of a Pet
Unknowingly Sharing Incorrect Information
Unwanted Scrutiny
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
6 Comments. Leave new
When will volume 2 be out? Already bought the first one and can’t wait to get another!
Hi, Leiana! The second volume is slated for this fall. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the first edition.
Are you going to release this in paperback on more storefronts than Amazon? I want this (and other books in this series) in paperback, but don’t want to shop on Amazon, and BN only has a couple of the books in this series as paperbacks.
HI Sam,
The print version of the Conflict Thesaurus can be ordered in wherever you buy books – if they don’t have it listed, all they need is the ISBN. Some stores are slow to carry it or will only bring it in if asked because this is a self published book. You can also purchase it through Book Depository (Free Shipping) or Indiebound (supporting Indie Bookstores). If you go here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/ and click on the links for the Conflict Thesaurus you can see where it’s available, or you can pass on the ISBN to your favorite store to bring it in for you. 🙂
Do you sell the Conflict Thesaurus in book format also?
Hi Corey,
We will be releasing this thesaurus as a staggered, two-volume set. The first book will be out October 12th. 🙂