The Internal Conflict: Using a Character’s Internal Struggle to Transition and Develop the Plot

Some of the most powerful moments in storytelling happen not in action but in a character’s mind. Internal conflict, the push and pull of emotions, doubts, and desires, can shape decisions, fuel tension, and drive the plot forward in unexpected ways. The Internal Conflict explores how to harness a character’s inner struggles to create meaningful transitions, deepen emotional engagement, and strengthen narrative flow.

This guide breaks down techniques for crafting compelling internal dilemmas, balancing external events with psychological depth, and ensuring that a character’s personal battles feel authentic and consequential. Learn how to use internal conflict as a tool to reveal motivations, set up pivotal moments, and guide readers through the emotional heart of your story.

Whether you are writing fiction, memoirs, or screenplays, mastering internal conflict will help you craft stories that resonate on a deeper and more personal level.

© 2025 Heritage Books (Ebook): 9781173411800

Release date

Ebook: 4 February 2025