The Role of Conflict in Storytelling: Why Every Great Story Needs It

What is Conflict?

Merriam-Webster defines conflict as clash, competition, or mutual interference of opposing or incompatible forces or qualities (such as ideas, interests, or wills). In writing, conflict can come in the form of disagreements, differences, and friction, and it may come from another person, from society, or from the environment. It’s what keeps the protagonist from what they want, from achieving their goal.

Why is Conflict Necessary For Stories?

Conflict is necessary for stories because otherwise, the protagonist would just get what they want, which makes for a very boring story! Readers, while journeying with the protagonist through struggles and tribulations, also get to enjoy the sweet taste of victory when the protagonist overcomes an obstacle. Struggles also reveal what a person is made of. Putting a protagonist into stressful situations can reveal their character. It can allow them to shine—or to fail.

How Can You Use Conflict In Your Writing?

You can use conflict to create empathy in your reader for the protagonist. When you make the reader care about the main character, you create an immersive experience, drawing the reader into the story by heightening the tension. Readers will want to keep reading to find out what happens to the character!

Final Thoughts

A story needs some kind of tension that a protagonist or group of characters must overcome. This is what moves the story forward, and it can also show us what kind of person our protagonist really is. Good fantasy writers use conflict to keep the reader engaged with the story until the tension is relieved at the end.