Look at real - life situations. For instance, conflicts at work, like colleagues competing for a limited number of promotions. You can take this and fictionalize it for your short story.
You can also base conflict on secrets. Say a character has a big secret that if revealed would change their relationship with others. For example, a person who has lied about their identity and is now in a relationship. The fear of the secret getting out and the consequences create an underlying conflict throughout the story.
Think about different values that people hold dear. A conflict can arise when two characters with opposing values interact. For example, a character who values nature and another who values industrial progress. They might clash over a plan to build a factory in a forest area. This creates a rich source of conflict with many possible storylines.
To develop conflict ideas for a fantasy story, start with the setting. If your story is set in a world divided by a great chasm, the two sides could be in conflict over resources or different beliefs. You can also play with the concept of fate. A character who is fated to be a great hero but wants a normal life creates an internal conflict. Additionally, think about hierarchies. In a world of magic, there could be a conflict between the high - level mages who hoard knowledge and power and the lower - level mages who want equality. It's all about creating opposing forces and desires within your story world.
Read a lot. Reading different types of fiction exposes you to various storylines, characters, and settings, which can inspire your own ideas. Also, observe the world around you. Everyday events, people's behaviors, and even the environment can give you ideas. For example, if you see an old, abandoned building, you could imagine a story about what happened there in the past or what secrets it might hold.
Look at real - world issues. For instance, environmental problems can be a source. Imagine a story where a small community's way of life is threatened by a large corporation's plan to build a factory that will pollute their land. The conflict is between the community's right to a clean environment and the corporation's drive for profit.
To develop conflict in a short story, consider using a mystery or a secret that needs to be uncovered. This can create tension and conflict as the characters try to solve it. You could also have a limited resource that multiple characters are vying for. For example, only one promotion is available at work, and several characters are competing for it.
Well, start by creating characters with opposing goals or desires. That's a great way to kick off the conflict.
You can start by thinking about your own fears. For example, if you're afraid of the dark, you could create a story where a character is trapped in a pitch - black place with something unknown lurking. Another way is to look at real - life events and give them a spooky twist. Say there was a news story about a missing person. In your horror story, the missing person could be the victim of a supernatural force that hides in the woods. Also, folklore and urban legends are great sources. You can take elements from them, like the idea of a werewolf or a vampire, and put your own unique spin on it.
Look at real - life historical events or places with a dark past. For example, old asylums or abandoned prisons. These can provide a great backdrop for your story. You can also think about different types of supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, or witches. Combine them with a character who has a flaw or a secret that gets drawn into the dark world of the gothic setting.
Think about historical events or places. Abandoned mental asylums, old cemeteries, and haunted castles are great starting points. For instance, if you choose an abandoned mental asylum, research the history of how these places were run in the past. You might find out about cruel treatments and experiments. Then, you can create a story where a character goes to explore the asylum and discovers the ghosts of the patients who suffered there. You can also use local legends and folklore. If there's a story in your town about a witch who was burned at the stake, you could base your gothic horror story on that, with the witch's spirit coming back to seek revenge.
Look at the things kids are interested in, like toys or animals. For example, if you know kids like dinosaurs, you could create a story about a friendly dinosaur who is different from all the others. Maybe it can fly when the other dinosaurs can't.