CONFLICT THESAURUS

LOSING ONE'S TEMPER



Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to view the Conflict Thesaurus in its entirety, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

CHOOSE MY PLAN

HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Relationship friction, failures and mistakes, ego-related conflict

EXAMPLES:
The character telling off their boss, a kid's coach, or a nosy neighbor for a perceived injustice
Exploding and making a scene (at work, at a family barbeque, etc.) because of unreasonable expectations, a lack of respect, or rudeness
Pushing, hitting, or slapping someone when rage takes over
Saying something in frustration or anger that can't be unsaid—perhaps revealing a secret, outing someone's addiction, or insulting them
Becoming enraged and walking out (of an interview, in the middle of a game, etc.)
Speaking in a way that makes someone cry (a child, someone in a sensitive condition, etc.)
Going off on a rant
Damaging or breaking something 
Giving in to road rage
Intimidating or bullying others (to get something done, put someone in their place, etc.)
Setting an ultimatum that is completely unreasonable
Reacting with anger to a child's infraction instead of responding with understanding or patience

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Being thrown out of an establishment 
Being reprimanded at school or work
Losing the respect of others
Minor property destruction that must be fixed (breaking a knickknack, punching a hole in the wall, kicking a car door, etc.)
The outburst causing a rift in a relationship that the character must then address
The outburst being recorded and posted publicly

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
...

RESULTING EMOTIONS:
...

POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
...

PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
...

NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
...

IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
...

WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
...

POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
...

POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
...