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Conflict in Writing: How to Create Tension That Hooks Readers

September 17, 2018
CONFLICT IN WRITING:
How to Create Tension That Hooks Readers

— a podcast episode —

Conflict in writing is the tension, struggle, or opposition that drives a story forward. It can be external (character vs. character, society, nature) or internal (character vs. self), but it always creates obstacles that challenge the protagonist and force growth or change.

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Table Of Contents Conflict in Writing: The Secret to Compelling Stories Formatted and Edited Transcript Take Your Writing Further Talk to Us! Share This Resource Conflict in Writing: The Secret to Compelling Stories

Conflict is the driving force behind every great story. Without it, characters remain static, tension fizzles out, and readers lose interest. But conflict isn’t just about dramatic fights or life-or-death battles—it exists in every scene, shaping character motivations, relationships, and stakes.

In this episode of Inside Creative Writing, we’re diving deep into conflict in writing. You’ll learn why even the quietest scenes need tension, how to use character differences to create organic conflict, and why subtle conflicts are just as powerful as grand, action-packed showdowns.

Whether you’re writing an epic fantasy, literary fiction, or a high-stakes thriller, understanding how to weave meaningful conflict into your story is crucial. If you’ve ever struggled with making your characters feel distinct or your scenes feel compelling, this episode will give you practical tools to fix those issues.

By the end of this episode, you will…
  • Understand why conflict is the foundation of every great story.
  • Learn how to create tension even in quiet, dialogue-driven scenes.
  • Discover how differing character motivations naturally generate conflict.
  • Find out why removing unnecessary agreement between characters makes your story stronger.
  • See how conflict deepens character development and emotional impact.

Listen to the full episode or skim the edited transcript with relevant links below.

At Inside Creative Writing, we focus on practical, hands-on storytelling techniques—because writing isn’t just something you study, it’s something you do.

Formatted and Edited Transcript

Episode 34 tackles the single most important element that a story must have: conflict. What is it? Why is it so essential? And how can we make sure our stories are brimming with it?

The Hidden Pitfall of Similar Characters

I’ve noticed an odd pattern in the stories of new writers. Often, they write two characters who go through the story together—maybe as buddies, a romantic couple on an adventure, or a father and son surviving in the wilderness. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. Some of the best stories focus on the relationship between just two people.

However, in amateurish stories, these characters often feel indistinguishable from one another. They’re such good friends that they talk the same, think the same, and act the same. Or they’re such a loving couple that they share the same fears, hopes, and desires. I’ve read stories where you could swap the names of the two characters at any point, and the story would still make sense. In some cases, the characters’ names appear side by side throughout the entire story: “Bob and Jim did this,” “Bob and Jim did that.”

What’s actually happening here is that the writer hasn’t created two distinct characters at all. Instead, they’ve written a single character with two names. And what’s missing from these stories? Conflict. More specifically, conflict in writing that stems from differences in motivation, personality, and worldview.

The Importance of Conflict in Every Scene

We all understand conflict on a major scale—arguments, chase scenes, battle royales. Those big, obvious moments of tension are easy to recognize. But what many writers miss is the subtle conflict that should permeate every scene and every relationship.

Story is conflict. I say this so often in my classes that my students can parrot it back to me. When I ask, “What is story?” they shout back, “Conflict!” because conflict in writing is what drives narrative forward. Without it, a scene is nothing more than characters existing on a page, and that is not storytelling.

Conflict doesn’t always have to be dramatic. It can be a quiet moment of disagreement, an internal struggle, or an unspoken tension between characters. But if a scene lacks conflict, it has no place in your story. Any scene without tension—whether big or small—needs to be cut. It’s telling rather than showing.

That’s why it’s crucial to go through your manuscript and amp up the tension wherever possible. Look for moments when characters are in perfect agreement, especially if they share the same underlying motivations. If they want the same thing for the same reason, your story is missing an essential ingredient.

Differing Motivations: The Key to Character Tension

To see this in action, let’s take an example. Imagine two people setting out on an adventure. On the surface, they’re both excited and eager. If their motivations for going on this journey are identical, they risk becoming boring, indistinguishable characters.

Now, give them differing or conflicting motivations, and suddenly, the tension rises dramatically. One of the best examples of this is the journey of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings.

At first glance, their relationship seems straightforward. Samwise is Frodo’s loyal companion, and they set off on a dangerous mission together. But their underlying motivations create subtle yet powerful conflict throughout the story. Frodo’s motivation is rooted in responsibility—he has sworn to destroy the One Ring, and he feels the weight of that duty. Samwise, on the other hand, is motivated by friendship. He doesn’t care about the Ring; he cares about Frodo.

This difference creates ongoing conflict in writing. When dangers arise, Samwise’s instinct is to protect Frodo, even if that means abandoning the quest. But for Frodo, completing the mission matters more than his personal safety. These conflicting motivations shape their decisions, create tension, and reveal who they are as characters.

Love Stories: Avoiding the “Perfect” Couple Trap

Now, think about your own story. Do you have two characters who are in love? This is an area where storytelling often falls apart.

If your two lovers want to be together simply because they love each other, you have a recipe for bored readers. There’s no conflict in writing when both characters have the same goal and no obstacles between them. That’s why so many love stories introduce external barriers—oppressive parents, different social classes, or personal ambitions that drive them apart.

For example, imagine a wealthy young bachelor falling for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. On the surface, they love each other. But underneath, he may also see her as a way to rebel against his controlling family. She, in turn, may see him as proof that she’s worth more than her upbringing suggests. Now, even within their love, there’s tension. Each has their own reasons for being in the relationship, and those reasons don’t always align.

This underlying conflict in writing keeps the story interesting. Even though they may want the same thing on the surface, the bubbling difference in motivation creates tension that the reader can feel.

Conflict in Solitude: Adding Tension to Quiet Scenes

Conflict in writing isn’t just about external battles or disagreements between characters. Even a quiet, introspective scene can—and should—contain tension.

Let’s say you have a character walking along the beach, contemplating a major life decision. There’s no dialogue, no other characters—just the protagonist lost in thought. At first glance, it seems like there’s no opportunity for conflict. But there are ways to introduce it.

One option is internal conflict. The character might recall a memory that contradicts the decision they’re trying to make. Or maybe they imagine a conversation with someone who would challenge their choice. Even an internal struggle—two opposing thoughts pulling the character in different directions—creates tension.

Another option is external conflict. Perhaps when they arrive at the beach, they find that it’s closed, forcing them to walk along a crowded, noisy street instead. Maybe they do make it to the shore, but biting sand mites distract them from their deep thinking. These small annoyances may not seem like much, but they add friction to the scene.

Even minor moments of tension keep a reader engaged. Conflict in writing—whether large or small—serves as an opportunity for readers to learn about the character. How does this person react to an inconvenience? Do they persevere through discomfort, or do they explode in frustration? These details shape the reader’s understanding of who the character truly is.

And even more importantly, these moments invite the reader to place themselves in the character’s shoes. Subconsciously, they start asking, “How would I react in this situation?” The moment they do that, you’ve hooked them into your story.

Creating a Web of Conflict Between Characters

Up to this point, we’ve mainly talked about stories that involve just two people. But the same principles apply to stories with large casts.

If your novel has multiple characters, no two should exist without some kind of conflict between them. A great way to ensure this is to literally map it out. Take a large sheet of paper or a whiteboard and draw circles representing each character. Then, connect them with lines, labeling each connection with a source of conflict.

This exercise helps you avoid writing characters who are essentially the same person. If two characters have identical goals, morals, and personalities, they won’t generate much tension. But when you map them out and realize you can’t draw a line of conflict between them, it becomes clear that something is missing.

This method doesn’t just strengthen your story—it can also lead to new character development. Often, while mapping out conflict in writing, I discover details about a character that I hadn’t considered before. Sometimes, those details even suggest an entire backstory.

Finding Conflict in Unexpected Places: A Personal Example

Let me give you an example from my own writing. In my current work-in-progress, I have a protagonist who starts out deeply religious. In one scene, she has a conversation with a parson about the importance of faith.

At first, I wrote the parson as someone who completely agreed with her. He was a devoted believer, just like she was. But when I reread the scene, I realized something—it wasn’t working. Two people sitting around agreeing with each other is boring. There was no conflict in writing, and as a result, the scene felt lifeless.

So I asked myself: how could I introduce tension?

I knew I couldn’t change my protagonist’s viewpoint because her unwavering faith is crucial to her character arc. But the parson? He didn’t have to share her certainty. What if he was struggling with doubt?

That’s when things got interesting. I started brainstorming reasons a religious leader might question his faith, and I landed on one: his wife had just left him for another man. Now, rather than affirming my protagonist’s beliefs, he subtly challenges them. He doesn’t outright say he’s lost faith, but the subtext of their conversation reveals his struggle.

This subtle shift transformed the scene. Suddenly, it wasn’t just two people nodding in agreement—it was two characters with different perspectives, adding tension beneath the surface.

The Danger of Forced Conflict

One word of warning: not all conflict is good conflict.

Don’t throw in arguments or battles just for the sake of conflict. If it doesn’t grow naturally from your story, it will feel forced. Conflict in writing must arise from character motivations, relationships, and the world you’ve built.

For example, if you’re writing a realistic drama, don’t introduce a dragon into the middle of a tense domestic argument just to make things more exciting. (Unless, of course, the story calls for it—but in most cases, it would break the believability of your world.)

Similarly, make sure character reactions stay consistent. If your protagonist has been portrayed as calm and level-headed, they shouldn’t suddenly explode into a fit of rage over something minor—unless you’ve laid the groundwork for that behavior. If a character acts in a way that doesn’t feel authentic, it will pull the reader out of the story.

Every moment of tension should be an opportunity for character development. When people are put under pressure, their true selves are revealed. The same is true in fiction. Conflict in writing isn’t just about moving the plot forward—it’s about showing who these characters really are.

Wise Words: Conflict Builds Character

Today’s wise words come from writer William Wallace Cook:

“Plot is life responding to environment, and not only is this response always in terms of conflict, but the really great struggle—the epic struggle—is the inner fight of the individual whereby the soul builds up character.”

I love that line: “Character is built by struggle.”

This is true not just for our fictional characters, but for us as writers. Writing a novel is a massive undertaking. It’s a struggle. But through that struggle, we grow. We develop the confidence to take on new challenges.

Finishing a book changes you. After climbing that mountain, every other creative endeavor feels smaller by comparison. Writing itself is power—it transforms both the character and the writer.

This Week’s Challenge: Find the Conflict in Your Closest Relationships

For this week’s writing challenge, I want you to do something a little uncomfortable.

Think of your best friend. Maybe it’s someone you’ve known since high school, a spouse, a sibling, or a parent. Now ask yourself: what are the sources of conflict between you?

Even the closest relationships have moments of disagreement. What are the things you avoid talking about because you know they could lead to an argument? Be as specific as possible—writing thrives on details.

Once you’ve listed those conflicts, look at the two characters in your current work-in-progress who are the closest. Do they have similar sources of conflict? If not, that might be a sign that they’re too similar.

Even best friends should have some level of tension between them. Conflict in writing isn’t just about enemies—it exists in every meaningful relationship, even the good ones.

Wrapping Up

That’s it for this week! I’d love to hear how these challenges are helping you and what you’re learning about writing through them.

Until next time, remember: the best way to improve your craft is by writing. Let’s get some words on the page this week, and I’ll see you next time on the Inside Creative Writing podcast.

Take Your Writing Further

Conflict isn’t just about making scenes more exciting—it’s how characters reveal who they truly are. If you’re serious about crafting stories that grip readers from start to finish, explore our How to Write a Novel pillar page for more in-depth strategies on storytelling, character development, and revision.

Ready to bring your story to life? Let’s get writing.

Talk to Us!

We’d love to hear from you! If you have a question, a comment, a suggestion, or just want to tell us about your work-in-progress, give us a shout!
info@insidecreativewriting.com

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