Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus Entry: Death
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Conflict Thesaurus: Having Unwanted Powers
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES:Hearing other people's thoughtsEverything the character touches turning to dustSeeing the deceased in spirit formHaving acute hearing that can't be shut offPhysically feeling others' painThe character being able to grant other people's … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Having Unwanted Powers
Conflict Thesaurus: Being Trapped
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES:Fleeing from an enemy and running into a dead-endBeing forced up a tree or into a crevice by a wild animalRetreating to an interior bathroom to evade a home invaderBeing surrounded by an enemy forceGetting caught in a dangerous weather or … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Being Trapped
Conflict Thesaurus: Telling the Truth but Not Being Believed
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES:A child being blamed for something their sibling didAn innocent person being convicted of a crime they didn't commitBacking up a friend's story or alibi and being accused of covering up for themReporting a serious crime (burglary, assault, … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Telling the Truth but Not Being Believed
Conflict Thesaurus: Losing a Vital Item
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES: Not having a map or compass in an outdoor environmentLosing a phone or laptopA family heirloom being misplacedThe character losing their passport or birth certificate, a relative's will, or other documentation Losing necessary medication, … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Losing a Vital Item
Conflict Thesaurus: Experiencing Discrimination
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 NOTES:Discrimination can be defined as mistreatment due to an element of the character's identity or their identification with a certain group of people. It may be based on a multitude of factors, including age, race, intellectual ability, family … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Experiencing Discrimination
Conflict Thesaurus: Being Injured
Sourced from The Conflict Thesaurus, Volume 2 EXAMPLES:Slipping on a wet floorFalling down a flight of stairsMisusing a tool and sustaining an injuryOverexerting while working outBeing injured while playing a sportBeing attacked by an animal or another personGetting hurt while under the … [Read more...] about Conflict Thesaurus: Being Injured
Use Conflict to Target a Character’s Soft Spots
Conflict is a key story ingredient, one we need a lot of, but this doesn't mean quantity is better than quality. Fiction isn’t a video game; waves of bad guys with guns won't keep readers tuned in for long. They expect to see a variety of conflict, including meaningful problems that deepen the … [Read more...] about Use Conflict to Target a Character’s Soft Spots
Fear Thesaurus Entry: Losing Autonomy
Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus Entry: Losing Autonomy
Fear Thesaurus Entry: Not Fitting In
Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus Entry: Not Fitting In
THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles
A story where the character gets exactly what they want doesn’t make for good reading. But add villainous clashes, lost advantages, power struggles, and menacing threats…well, now we have the makings of a page-turner. Conflict is the golden thread that binds plot to arc, providing the complications, … [Read more...] about THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, Volume 2: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles
Fear Thesaurus: A Loved One Dying
Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they're a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character's behaviors, habits, beliefs, and … [Read more...] about Fear Thesaurus: A Loved One Dying