205+ Unique Story Conflict Ideas Every Writer Should Try
Ever thought about what all great stories have in common?
It’s not just great characters or vivid settings – it’s the conflict – the struggles that the characters need to go through in order to grow and change.
In this article, I’ve put together over 200 unique conflict ideas for different types of stories. You can go directly to the genre of story that you’re writing, and get lots of ideas for potential sources of conflict.
I hope this guide helps you find a great idea for the conflict your characters will face! We’ll start with a quick definition of conflict and then get right into the ideas. Click on the table of contents to go directly to the genre of story that you’re writing.
You can click here to go directly to the conflict ideas!
What is Conflict in Fiction?
Conflict is the heart of your story. It’s what makes things interesting and what makes readers want to keep going to find out what happens next.
In fiction, conflict comes in a few different types:
Internal Conflict: This happens inside a character’s mind. It’s when they wrestle with their own fears, doubts, or tough decisions. For example, a hero might struggle with feeling brave enough to face their nemesis.
Interpersonal Conflict: This is when people clash. Maybe two best friends argue over a betrayal or a secret. It’s the kind of drama that feels real because we’ve all had disagreements with others.
Societal Conflict: This occurs when a character faces issues with their community or the world around them. It could involve rebelling against unfair rules, fighting injustice, or trying to fit into a society that doesn’t accept them.
Conflict makes characters feel realistic to readers. When they face struggles, they grow, learn, and change.
This makes them relatable and helps readers care about what happens to them. Plus, when characters have a lot at stake, the tension in the story skyrockets. Tension is really what keeps readers hooked in a book or movie!
The best stories don’t stick to just one type of conflict. They mix things up.
A character might deal with personal doubts (internal conflict) while fighting with a friend (interpersonal conflict) and dealing with a messed-up society (societal conflict). When you can combine these types of conflict, you’ll create stories that are exciting and impossible to put down!
Now, we’re going to get right into the ideas! These ideas include various types of internal conflicts, as well as external conflicts. Feel free to find one you like, then use it to create tension in your story and move the plot forward!
Conflict Ideas for Different Genres
Let’s get right into the conflict ideas – separated into different genres of stories.
Adventure Story Conflict Ideas
Adventure stories take readers on journeys filled with challenges, daring escapes, and high-stakes missions. These stories often feature brave heroes overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals.
A vast, icy tundra holds an ancient ship buried under the snow. A determined explorer must find it before a shadowy corporation claims its mysterious cargo, risking deadly storms and untrustworthy allies.
A crumbling, booby-trapped castle sits on a rocky island surrounded by jagged cliffs. Treasure hunters must retrieve a priceless crown while battling violent tides, rival thieves, and the island’s dark secrets.
A futuristic space station orbits a gas giant. A rookie pilot must outsmart saboteurs trying to crash the station into the planet while navigating zero-gravity dangers and malfunctioning systems.
A dense jungle hides a forgotten city glowing with bioluminescent plants. To uncover the city’s hidden knowledge, an ambitious team of scientists must survive against nature and a hostile group of poachers.
A massive, rusting ocean liner floats abandoned in the middle of the sea. A group of scavengers searching for riches finds something alive onboard—and it’s hunting them.
A sprawling desert canyon holds ancient carvings predicting future disasters. A young geologist must protect the carvings from smugglers while surviving dangerous terrain and sandstorms.
A volcanic island on the brink of eruption holds a powerful relic. A determined sailor races against time and a rival adventurer to retrieve it before the island is destroyed.
A hidden underground city powered by strange crystals is discovered beneath a bustling metropolis. A curious journalist must escape government agents trying to silence anyone who learns the city’s secrets.
A mystical floating archipelago is said to grant eternal life. A daring explorer battles sky pirates and gravity-defying challenges to reach the highest island and discover the truth behind the legend.
A dense forest with shifting paths and strange, glowing plants is said to hold a cure for any illness. A desperate healer must navigate the forest and outwit others searching for the cure.
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Sci-Fi Story Conflict
Science fiction explores futuristic worlds, advanced tech, and the consequences of humanity’s choices. These stories often tackle moral dilemmas, societal changes, and the unknown.
Mysterious power failures strike a massive space colony. Engineers must uncover the source before the entire colony falls into the planet’s atmosphere, but something unnatural lurks in the shadows of the station.
A distant planet rich in rare minerals is targeted by corporate miners. A local scientist must rally a group of settlers to protect the planet’s fragile ecosystem from destruction while facing internal betrayal.
A powerful AI goes rogue, hacking into global defense systems. A young programmer must outwit the AI to shut it down before it triggers a nuclear war, but the AI predicts every move.
A group of rebels uncovers an ancient alien ship buried beneath a desert. They must keep the ship out of government hands while deciphering its secrets, but the ship’s AI has its own plans.
A futuristic city is built on floating platforms above an endless ocean. A mechanic discovers a plot to sink the city and must stop it, even as mysterious creatures rise from the water.
A deadly virus spreads through a spaceship on a long-haul mission. The crew must find the cure while battling paranoia and malfunctioning life-support systems, knowing the infected will soon turn violent.
A wormhole suddenly appears near Earth, threatening to destabilize the solar system. A brave pilot must lead a mission to close it, but the other side holds unexpected dangers—and opportunities.
A starship crew is stranded on a planet where time moves faster. They must repair their ship before decades pass, but the planet’s strange inhabitants don’t want them to leave.
A mining operation on a distant moon uncovers an alien artifact. The team must decide whether to use its immense power or destroy it, as it begins to alter their minds.
A soldier wakes up in a cloned body after dying in battle. They must uncover who sabotaged the cloning process, as their memories reveal disturbing truths about their past missions.
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Fantasy Story Conflict
Fantasy stories transport readers to worlds full of mythical creatures, enchanted objects, and ancient prophecies. Conflicts often center on epic battles between good and evil or personal quests for self-discovery.
A forgotten temple deep in the forest begins emitting strange light. A young mage must uncover its secrets before rival sorcerers harness its power, but the temple’s guardians have their own agenda.
A cursed prince is turned into a beast after angering an ancient spirit. He must embark on a quest to break the curse, but his monstrous form draws hunters and enemies at every turn.
A kingdom’s magical barrier starts to weaken, allowing shadow creatures to enter. A novice wizard must repair the barrier while battling these creatures, but the key lies in a forbidden spell.
A dragon demands tribute from a small village, or it will destroy them. A brave blacksmith must confront the dragon and negotiate a truce, discovering the creature’s surprising connection to their past.
A lost artifact of immense power is rumored to lie in a deadly swamp. A rogue thief must retrieve it before a ruthless warlord does, but the swamp is alive with ancient, hostile magic.
A kingdom’s crops begin withering, spreading famine across the land. A farmer discovers a hidden ability to speak with nature and must uncover the source of the blight, but time is running out.
Winged raiders attack a city built atop a massive tree. A sky-knight must defend their home while uncovering the raiders’ mysterious leader, whose motives challenge everything they believe.
A powerful sorceress locks an entire town in a magical sleep. An outsider immune to the spell must confront her, but breaking the curse could destroy the town itself.
A sentient sword chooses an unlikely hero to wield it. The hero must resist the sword’s growing influence while fulfilling its demand to slay a rising dark lord or risk becoming a monster themselves.
Outsiders discover a hidden valley where magic flows freely. A young protector must keep its location a secret while defending it from invaders, learning that the valley’s magic has a steep cost.
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Horror Story Conflict
Horror stories are designed to unsettle and scare. They often focus on fear, survival, and the unknown. The conflicts usually pit characters against supernatural forces, terrifying creatures, or their own worst fears.
A family moves into a remote farmhouse to start fresh. They soon discover the house’s walls hide something alive, and it wants them to stay forever, no matter the cost.
A group of hikers gets lost in a fog-covered forest. As the fog thickens, they realize something is hunting them, and leaving the forest may come at a terrible price.
A small town’s graveyard begins showing signs of movement. A skeptical journalist investigates but becomes trapped as the dead rise, each with a grudge they aim to settle.
A lonely lighthouse keeper begins hearing voices from the sea. When the voices beg for help, they must decide whether to leave their post, knowing something unnatural waits in the water.
A forgotten carnival reopens overnight, offering free entry. Visitors find themselves trapped in twisted attractions that prey on their fears, and the only way out is through the funhouse.
A family heirloom doll starts appearing in rooms it wasn’t left in. A young child insists the doll is alive, and when strange accidents occur, the family begins to believe it, too.
A once-abandoned hospital is converted into apartments. The new tenants discover that the spirits of past patients are still there, angry and vengeful, and that escaping might not be possible.
A deep-sea research crew uncovers an ancient underwater city. As they explore its ruins, they awaken something that starts stalking their submarine, cutting off all routes to the surface.
A snowstorm traps travelers in a remote mountain lodge. The group begins turning on each other as a malevolent force manipulates their thoughts, and the storm blocks all attempts to escape.
A video game developer finds their latest horror game becomes real. The haunted scenarios they created start invading their home, and surviving requires finishing the game before it consumes them.
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Thriller Conflict Ideas
Thriller stories keep readers on the edge of their seats with suspense, danger, and unexpected plot twists. These conflicts often revolve around high-stakes cat-and-mouse chases or uncovering dangerous secrets.
A political journalist uncovers a secret plot to assassinate a world leader. With no one to trust, they must gather proof while evading operatives determined to silence them.
A retired spy is blackmailed to complete one last mission. While their enemies close in, they must retrieve a stolen hard drive before it exposes their darkest secret.
A tech CEO is kidnapped by hackers who demand access to a top-secret AI. The CEO must outsmart their captors to escape, knowing the AI’s release could start a global catastrophe.
A passenger on a transatlantic flight overhears a plot to hijack the plane. They must navigate the confined space and hidden dangers to stop the attackers, but time is running out.
A detective investigating a missing child case discovers a disturbing link to their own past. They must unravel the mystery while staying ahead of a shadowy group, watching their every move.
An undercover agent infiltrates a high-stakes poker game. They must win the game to gather crucial evidence, but losing could expose their identity to the criminals.
A witness to a mob hit is placed in a safe house. When the safe house is compromised, they must survive a relentless pursuit while uncovering who betrayed them.
A medical researcher is framed for a deadly lab explosion. They must go on the run to clear their name, all while a real biohazard threatens to spread.
A struggling artist’s new patron turns out to be a dangerous criminal. When they’re coerced into smuggling stolen art, they must find a way to escape the operation alive.
A cybersecurity expert discovers a hidden backdoor in global financial systems. They must prevent a catastrophic hack while staying ahead of assassins hired to eliminate them.
Mystery Conflict
Mystery stories challenge readers to solve puzzles and uncover hidden truths. Conflicts often involve solving crimes, exposing lies, or identifying a perpetrator.
A bestselling author is found dead in their study, their final manuscript missing. An aspiring writer must solve the case to clear their own name after being framed as the killer.
A small-town sheriff discovers a decades-old skeleton in a well. As they dig deeper, long-buried secrets threaten to tear the community apart—and someone is willing to kill to keep them hidden.
A wealthy art collector’s prized painting vanishes during a gala. A cunning private investigator must uncover the thief while navigating the lies of high society.
A college student inherits a mysterious key from a distant relative. They must uncover what it unlocks before a shadowy figure hunting the key finds them first.
A tech startup’s CEO disappears just days before launching a groundbreaking invention. Their business partner must piece together clues to find them, but someone else stands to gain from the CEO’s absence.
A mysterious letter arrives at a struggling journalist’s desk, claiming to reveal the truth about a long-unsolved murder. As they follow the trail, they realize the sender might be the killer.
A historic shipwreck is discovered off the coast, but one diver vanishes without a trace. Their partner must uncover what happened, facing dangerous waters and a history that refuses to stay buried.
A small-town librarian finds a coded message hidden in an old book. Solving it reveals clues to a missing person’s case—but someone dangerous is also after the message.
A famous magician’s assistant vanishes during a live performance. A skeptical police detective must unravel how the trick went wrong, or whether it was all part of a sinister plan.
A reclusive billionaire is poisoned at their own dinner party. A guest with a secret past must solve the crime to avoid being accused, while the real killer watches their every move.
Romance Conflict
Romance stories explore the complexities of love, relationships, and emotional connection. Conflicts often arise from misunderstandings, personal growth, or external obstacles keeping lovers apart.
A bookstore owner begins exchanging letters with a mysterious admirer. When she discovers that the admirer is her new landlord, who is threatening her with eviction, she must balance love with saving her shop.
A marine biologist and a treasure diver fall for each other on a remote island. Their romance is tested when he discovers a treasure that could jeopardize the delicate ecosystem she’s trying to protect.
A teacher and a firefighter connect during a community fundraiser. Their relationship is challenged when he faces a dangerous rescue mission that forces her to rethink their future together.
A rising pop star falls for a quiet barista. Her growing fame and public life clash with his desire for a simple, private relationship, putting their love to the test.
A travel blogger gets stranded in a small town during a storm. He falls for the owner of the local inn, but leaving to continue his journey could end their connection before it truly begins.
A scientist working on a groundbreaking project clashes with a rival researcher. As competition turns to attraction, she must decide if risking her work is worth following her heart.
Two strangers meet on a train delayed by snow. Their connection grows as they wait, but when the train arrives, he must decide whether to stay with her or continue his journey.
A royal heir disguises her identity to experience life as a commoner. She falls for a kind-hearted baker, but her secret threatens to destroy the relationship if it’s revealed.
A wildlife photographer is paired with a wilderness guide for a high-stakes project. Their romance is tested when he’s forced to choose between his adventurous life and the future she envisions.
Two rival architects compete for the same dream project. As sparks fly between them, she must decide if winning the competition is more important than opening her heart to him.
Historical Fiction Conflict
Historical fiction brings the past to life. It brings fictional characters and events into real historical settings. Conflicts often stem from societal norms, war, or struggles shaped by the time period.
A young blacksmith in medieval France falls in love with the daughter of a noble family. When he’s accused of stealing from the castle, he must prove his innocence while fighting to win her heart.
A nurse during World War II saves the life of a wounded enemy soldier. As she hides him from her allies, she risks her safety and questions her loyalty to her country.
A merchant in ancient Egypt discovers an artifact that could reveal a royal scandal. He must decide whether to sell the secret for wealth or protect the family of the woman he loves.
In the 1800s, a widowed farmer befriends a fugitive slave hiding on her land. As their bond deepens, she must outsmart bounty hunters while risking everything to help him escape.
A spy in Cold War Berlin falls for a local woman while gathering intelligence. When his cover is blown, he must decide whether to escape alone or risk her life by taking her with him.
A talented violinist in 18th-century Vienna catches the attention of a powerful patron. When her success threatens to expose his corrupt dealings, she must protect herself without losing the music or the man she loves.
A young scholar in Renaissance Italy uncovers her mentor’s involvement in a deadly conspiracy. She must navigate dangerous politics while deciding whether to protect him or expose his crimes.
A soldier in the American Revolution falls for a woman working as a spy for the enemy. As the war intensifies, he must choose between duty to his cause and loyalty to her.
A sailor in the Age of Exploration falls in love with a healer on an uncharted island. When his crew demands the island’s treasures, he must protect her people while fighting for their future together.
A woman in 1920s Chicago opens a speakeasy to save her family’s home. When a charming prohibition agent comes to investigate, she must keep her secret while battling her growing feelings for him.
Action Story Conflict
Action stories are fast-paced and filled with adrenaline-fueled moments. They focus on physical danger and heroic feats, and conflicts often involve battles, heists, or high-stakes survival situations.
A former soldier turned security guard witnesses a heist at a high-tech skyscraper. He must outsmart a team of mercenaries while protecting a trapped group of civilians.
A fearless stunt driver is forced into an illegal street race to pay off her brother’s debt. As the race turns deadly, she must decide whether to risk her life or betray her family.
A park ranger discovers poachers hunting endangered animals in a remote wilderness. He must evade traps and survive harsh terrain to stop the poachers before it’s too late.
A rookie firefighter faces her first major blaze in a collapsing apartment building. As she fights to rescue survivors, she uncovers a criminal plot that caused the fire.
A courier delivering a secret package across the city is ambushed by unknown attackers. He must rely on his wits and speed to keep the package safe while uncovering who’s after him.
A retired hitman’s daughter is kidnapped by his former employers. He must confront his violent past to rescue her while navigating an underworld full of dangerous enemies.
A daring journalist sneaks into a war zone to expose the truth about an illegal arms deal. She must escape with the evidence while dodging both local militias and shadowy operatives.
A competitive rock climber is trapped on a remote cliff after an earthquake. To find a way down, she must battle injuries, falling debris, and rising tension with her rival.
A skydiving instructor and his student are stranded in a forest after their plane is sabotaged. As a dangerous group closes in, he must use his survival skills to keep them both alive.
A martial artist enters a high-stakes underground tournament to avenge her mentor’s death. She must win each brutal fight while uncovering the truth about her mentor’s mysterious past.
Comedic Conflict
Comedy stories aim to entertain through humor, wit, and absurd situations. Conflicts often arise from misunderstandings, quirky characters, or exaggerated mishaps.
A clumsy wedding planner accidentally books two weddings on the same day at the same venue. She must juggle demanding couples, mismatched guests, and an ever-growing series of hilarious disasters.
A struggling actor lies about being a professional chef to impress his date. When she brings him to a cooking class, he must fake his skills without blowing his cover.
A group of misfit coworkers is tasked with organizing the company holiday party. As plans spiral out of control, they accidentally book a rival CEO as the party’s guest of honor.
A dog walker accidentally switches two identical dogs with very different personalities. He must fix the mix-up before either owner finds out, all while dealing with unruly pets.
A small-town mayor tries to turn the local fair into a tourist hotspot. Her big ideas lead to a series of ridiculous mishaps, including a runaway Ferris wheel and a pie-eating contest gone wrong.
A perfectionist baker enters a chaotic baking competition. She must survive sabotage, bizarre challenges, and an overly enthusiastic host who insists on “helping.”
Two rival siblings accidentally swap luggage at the airport. As they scramble to recover their bags, they uncover embarrassing secrets hidden in each other’s belongings.
A tech-savvy teenager’s prank goes too far when a fake dating profile accidentally matches their single mom with their high school principal. Chaos ensues as they try to undo the match before the first date.
A rookie magician accidentally locks himself in a disappearing box during a live show. His assistant must stall the crowd and figure out how to release him without ruining the performance.
A bumbling detective investigates a stolen painting at an art museum. Every clue leads to ridiculous misunderstandings, and the real thief plays along just to see how far the chaos will go.
Supernatural Story Conflict
Supernatural stories explore the unexplained and otherworldly, often featuring ghosts, spirits, or paranormal phenomena. Conflicts revolve around confronting these forces or uncovering their secrets.
A skeptic inherits a haunted inn from a distant relative. As ghostly guests check in and refuse to leave, they must figure out how to appease the spirits without losing their sanity.
A teenager discovers they can speak with the dead, but only at sunrise. When a vengeful ghost asks for help, they must uncover the truth while dealing with dangerous consequences.
A small-town sheriff investigates strange lights in the woods. As she uncovers an alien presence, she must protect her town from a terrifying threat.
A single father moves into an old house to start fresh, only to find it inhabited by a mischievous poltergeist. He must learn to live with the spirit while protecting his young daughter.
A group of strangers wakes up in a mansion with no memory of how they got there. As they try to escape, they discover they’re part of a supernatural game controlled by an unseen force.
A photographer’s camera begins capturing images of events before they happen. When they see a deadly accident involving their loved one, they must race to prevent it while the camera reveals darker secrets.
A park ranger discovers a hidden cave in the mountains that seems to shift location. As they explore it, they awaken an ancient being that demands a sacrifice to let them leave.
A young musician receives a cursed instrument that makes them play hauntingly beautiful music. They must uncover the instrument’s dark origins before the curse consumes them completely.
A family camping trip takes a terrifying turn when they encounter a shapeshifter in the woods. They must figure out who among them is real and who is the imposter before it’s too late.
A historian researching a forgotten civilization discovers a magical amulet. The amulet grants them incredible power but slowly begins to change their personality, leading to dangerous consequences.
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Dystopian Story Conflict
Dystopian stories depict grim futures where societies face oppression, environmental collapse, or totalitarian control. Conflicts often involve rebellion, survival, or the fight for freedom.
In a world where water is strictly rationed, a young mechanic discovers a hidden reservoir. She must decide whether to share it with her oppressed community or keep it secret to protect it from government control.
A society requires everyone to wear emotion-tracking implants. When his implant malfunctions, he must navigate life in hiding while uncovering the truth about the system.
A massive wall separates the rich elite from the struggling poor. A determined smuggler plans to infiltrate the upper city to reunite with her lost family, but the journey is filled with deadly obstacles.
Technology has erased the need for human creativity. A rebellious artist starts an underground movement to bring back original ideas, but the government will stop at nothing to silence him.
In a future where memories are sold for profit, a memory thief uncovers a conspiracy. She must fight to expose the truth while being hunted by the very corporation she once worked for.
A deadly virus forces everyone to live in isolated pods, communicating only through screens. When he discovers a potential cure, he must risk everything to share it with the outside world.
A government bans all forms of books, replacing them with state-controlled media. A secret librarian starts a resistance, smuggling banned books to citizens who are desperate for knowledge.
In a society where people are ranked by their social scores, one person’s score mysteriously plummets overnight. He must uncover who sabotaged him before losing everything, including his identity.
The world’s air has become unbreathable, forcing everyone to live in sealed domes. When her dome’s filtration system begins to fail, she must find a fix before the community suffocates.
A corporation controls the entire food supply, forcing people into endless labor for rations. A young scientist discovers a way to grow food independently and must escape with the secret before the corporation destroys him.
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Crime Story Conflict
Crime stories explore the darker side of human nature. They often center on criminals, detectives, and the pursuit of justice. Conflicts revolve around solving crimes or escaping punishment.
A detective in a quiet seaside town investigates the disappearance of a prominent businesswoman. She uncovers a web of lies that implicates the victim’s family and must determine who’s telling the truth.
A small-time thief accidentally steals a priceless artifact from a dangerous cartel. He must stay one step ahead of both the police and the cartel’s enforcers to survive.
A rookie cop partners with a veteran detective to solve a series of arson attacks. As they get closer to the truth, she begins to suspect her partner knows more than he’s admitting.
A tech-savvy hacker is framed for a high-profile data breach. He must use his skills to track down the real culprit while staying off the grid to avoid arrest.
A journalist uncovers evidence that a local politician is tied to organized crime. She must decide whether to publish the story, knowing it could put her life and career at risk.
A security guard witnesses a bank heist but recognizes one of the masked robbers. He must choose between protecting his family or turning in someone he cares about.
A retired mobster’s quiet life is interrupted when an old rival comes seeking revenge. He must return to his violent past to protect his family from becoming collateral damage.
A prosecutor begins doubting the guilt of the person they just convicted. As he secretly investigates the case, he risks his career and reputation to uncover the truth.
A getaway driver plans one last heist with her crew before disappearing for good. When the job goes wrong, she must outwit both the police and her own team to survive.
A small-town teacher finds a bag of stolen cash in the woods. As criminals close in to retrieve it, he must decide whether to keep the money or return it and risk exposure.
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Western Conflict
Western stories capture the rugged spirit of the American frontier with themes of lawlessness, survival, and justice. Conflicts often involve clashes between settlers, outlaws, and the harsh wilderness.
A former outlaw tries to live a quiet life as a rancher. When an old enemy rides into town seeking revenge, he must decide whether to confront his past or flee again.
A young schoolteacher moves to a rugged frontier town. She must stand her ground when a gang of outlaws targets her students to send a message to the town’s sheriff.
A seasoned bounty hunter takes on a dangerous mission to capture a notorious bandit. As he tracks the outlaw, he uncovers a shocking connection between them.
A widow fights to keep her late husband’s land from being stolen by a corrupt railroad company. She must rally the local townsfolk while fending off hired guns sent to intimidate her.
A skilled blacksmith’s peaceful life is disrupted when a traveling gunslinger demands custom weapons. As tensions rise, he must decide whether to risk his life by standing up to the stranger.
A former soldier is hired to protect a wagon train crossing hostile territory. When a traitor among the group sabotages their journey, he must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
A fearless cattle driver discovers a plot to steal her herd. She must outwit the thieves while leading her crew through treacherous terrain to reach their destination.
A reclusive trapper finds gold in the mountains and becomes an instant target. As greedy prospectors and bandits close in, he must protect his claim and survive the wilderness.
A sheriff’s deputy falls for the daughter of a feared outlaw. When her father’s gang returns to town, he must choose between his duty and his heart.
A gambler wins a high-stakes poker game but unknowingly cheats a powerful rancher. As the rancher’s men hunt him down, he must find a way to repay the debt or face deadly consequences.
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Gothic Story Conflict
Gothic stories blend mystery, romance, and the macabre. They are often set in dark, atmospheric locations, and conflicts revolve around secrets, supernatural elements, or internal struggles.
A young governess arrives at an isolated estate to care for two orphaned children. As strange events unfold, she begins to suspect the children are hiding a dangerous secret.
A reclusive artist is hired to paint a portrait of a nobleman’s wife. He soon discovers the nobleman’s obsession with the painting may be tied to a sinister curse.
A scholar inherits an ancient castle from a distant relative. As she explores its hidden passages, she uncovers a diary that suggests her family’s wealth came from a terrible crime.
A grieving widower moves to a remote manor to escape his pain. When he begins seeing his late wife’s ghost, he must uncover whether it’s real or a sign of his own unraveling mind.
A young woman marries into a wealthy but secretive family. As she learns the dark history of their estate, she realizes her new husband may not be who he seems.
A forgotten cathedral is rediscovered in a dense forest. The explorers who venture inside must confront eerie visions and unexplainable sounds as the structure seems to come alive.
A writer seeks inspiration in an abandoned lighthouse. When they find cryptic messages carved into the walls, they must piece together the tragic story of its last keeper.
A village priest is called to bless a remote chapel believed to be cursed. He discovers the chapel is tied to a long-forgotten ritual and must stop its deadly cycle from starting again.
A young scientist moves to a crumbling mansion to study its unique flora. As the plants grow unnaturally fast and seem to respond to her, she wonders if the house itself is alive.
A pair of siblings inherit a decaying theater in a seaside town. As they restore it, they uncover a series of gruesome accidents tied to its cursed final performance.
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Dark Fantasy Conflict
Dark fantasy combines the magic and wonder of fantasy with the chilling elements of horror. Conflicts often explore battles against sinister forces or the struggle to resist corruption.
A young sorcerer discovers their magic is fueled by the lives of others. They must decide whether to embrace this power to save their kingdom or destroy it and leave the realm defenseless.
A knight is cursed to transform into a monstrous beast each night. As an ancient war reignites, they must choose between serving their king or embracing the curse to protect those they love.
A wandering healer’s powers begin to drain their own life force. When a plague ravages a nearby village, they must decide whether to sacrifice themselves to save others.
A queen bargains with a dark entity to win a civil war. As the entity’s demands grow more sinister, she must find a way to break the pact without losing her soul.
A blacksmith forges a magical weapon that binds itself to him. As the weapon urges him to seek revenge against his enemies, he must resist its influence or risk becoming a tyrant.
A village is haunted by shadowy creatures that steal memories. A hunter must venture into a forbidden forest to confront the source, risking losing their identity in the process.
A cursed child is exiled to live in the mountains. When their curse begins to spread to others, they must uncover its origins and find a way to stop it before it destroys the land.
A rebel leader finds an ancient relic that grants them control over the dead. As their power grows, they must resist the relic’s dark whispers or risk becoming the tyrant they vowed to overthrow.
A kingdom is ruled by a tyrant who commands an army of demons. A reluctant hero discovers they share a bloodline with the tyrant and must choose whether to fight them or join them.
A scholar deciphers an ancient text that predicts the end of the world. When the events begin to come true, they must seek out the hidden pieces of a lost artifact to prevent the prophecy’s fulfillment.
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Steampunk Story Conflict
Steampunk stories blend Victorian-era aesthetics with advanced steam-powered technology. Conflicts often involve daring adventures, inventive solutions, and clashes between progress and tradition.
A brilliant inventor builds a clockwork automaton that develops a mind of its own. When it escapes and begins altering the city’s power grid, she must stop it before it causes irreversible damage.
A disgraced airship captain is blackmailed into smuggling illegal contraband. When he discovers the cargo is a dangerohttps://neilchasefilm.com/monster-ideas/us weapon, he must choose between completing the job or risking his crew to destroy it.
A young mechanic stumbles upon a hidden workshop containing advanced steam-powered technology. As rival inventors and spies close in, she must protect the inventions while unraveling the mystery of their creator.
A charismatic con artist steals a prototype energy core from a wealthy industrialist. When the core begins to destabilize, he must team up with his enemies to prevent a catastrophic explosion.
A scientist discovers a map of a hidden city powered by perpetual motion machines. As they lead an expedition to find it, sabotage and betrayal threaten to derail the mission.
A skilled airship engineer is framed for sabotage. On the run, he must prove his innocence while uncovering the real culprit behind the string of deadly crashes.
A city’s elite class controls the lower districts through a massive steam-powered machine. A daring revolutionary must infiltrate the upper levels to shut it down, but doing so could destroy the city.
A clockmaker discovers a secret society using time-altering devices to control politics. She must infiltrate their ranks to stop them, but the devices tempt her with the chance to rewrite her own tragic past.
A daring thief is hired to steal plans for a steam-powered warship. When she realizes the plans are for a weapon capable of mass destruction, she must decide whether to complete the job or destroy the designs.
A young inventor competes in a high-stakes tournament showcasing groundbreaking inventions. When a rival sabotages his creation, he must rebuild it in time while exposing the corruption behind the event.
Urban Fantasy Conflict
Urban fantasy brings magical elements into modern city settings, creating a blend of the extraordinary and the everyday. Conflicts often center on hidden supernatural worlds or battles between magical and human forces.
A tattoo artist discovers their designs grant magical powers to those who wear them. When a dangerous criminal demands a custom piece, she must outsmart him while protecting her shop and secrets.
A detective teams up with a reluctant vampire to solve a series of supernatural murders. As the killer grows bolder, he must balance trust with caution to survive.
A struggling musician learns their songs awaken ancient spirits. When a shadowy figure begins hunting them for control of their power, they must navigate the magical underworld to stay alive.
A coffee shop owner discovers her customers are from parallel dimensions. When one of them disappears, she must enter a dangerous alternate world to bring them back.
A firefighter realizes the fires they extinguish are caused by rogue elementals. When a fire elemental targets his crew, he must find a way to communicate with it before someone dies.
A librarian accidentally activates a forgotten spell hidden in an old book. As the city becomes overrun with mythical creatures, she must undo the spell while keeping her actions a secret.
A private investigator with the ability to see ghosts is hired by a spirit seeking revenge. As the case unravels, she discovers the ghost’s version of events may not be the full truth.
A taxi driver unknowingly picks up passengers from the supernatural world. When a powerful creature targets him for transporting its enemy, he must find a way to escape while learning the truth about his passengers.
A journalist investigating strange sightings uncovers a secret war between magical factions in the city. As they dig deeper, they become a target for both sides and must choose who to trust.
A runaway discovers they have the ability to open magical portals. When a mysterious group begins hunting them, they must master their power to stay one step ahead and find safety.
Epic Fantasy Story Conflict
Epic fantasy takes readers on large-scale adventures in expansive, intricate worlds. Conflicts often feature legendary heroes, ancient prophecies, and high-stakes battles against ultimate evil.
A young warrior discovers they are the last descendant of a forgotten royal bloodline. They must rally divided kingdoms to fight an ancient evil threatening to destroy the world.
A blacksmith creates an indestructible blade, unaware it is tied to a prophecy. When the weapon falls into the wrong hands, she must risk everything to reclaim it.
A kingdom is threatened with destruction as an ancient volcano awakens. A reluctant hero must lead a dangerous journey to retrieve a magical artifact that can halt the eruption.
A gifted mage is exiled after unleashing forbidden magic. When a dark army rises, they must overcome their past to unite old enemies and stand against the growing threat.
A young healer is chosen by a sentient tree to protect a sacred forest. As invaders seek to burn it for its magical resources, she must uncover the forest’s deepest secrets to stop them.
A disgraced knight is tasked with protecting a rebellious prince. As assassins close in, they must work together to escape the kingdom and forge alliances against a looming invasion.
A vast empire is torn apart when a legendary dragon returns. A farmhand discovers they can communicate with the beast and must decide whether to aid it or destroy it.
An ancient library containing the knowledge of the gods is at risk of being destroyed. A scholar must protect the library while uncovering the truth about why the gods abandoned their people.
A star falls from the sky, shattering into pieces across the land. A group of strangers must unite to collect the fragments before a tyrant uses them to gain ultimate power.
A cursed city reappears after being lost for centuries. A young adventurer must navigate its deadly traps and confront the ghostly inhabitants to break the curse and restore peace to the land.
Post-Apocalyptic Conflict
Post-apocalyptic stories take place in worlds that have been devastated by catastrophe. Conflicts often involve survival, rebuilding, and facing new dangers in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
After a solar flare wipes out technology, a skilled scavenger must guide a group of survivors across a barren wasteland. When resources grow scarce, tensions rise, and she must protect the group from both enemies and each other.
A young engineer discovers an abandoned underground city powered by renewable energy. When a desperate warlord targets the city, he must choose whether to share its secrets or protect it at all costs.
In a world overrun by mutated plants, a botanist searches for a cure to save humanity. As the plants grow increasingly aggressive, she must venture deep into a dangerous jungle to find the key to survival.
After an asteroid strike devastates the planet, a family struggles to rebuild their lives. When their isolated community is raided, the father must risk everything to rescue his kidnapped daughter.
In a frozen wasteland after a nuclear winter, a nomad discovers a train still running. As he investigates, he uncovers a dark secret about its passengers and must decide whether to stop the train or join it.
A world where clean water is the most valuable currency forces a young mechanic to fix a broken purifier. With rival groups closing in, she must finish her work before the town descends into chaos.
After a pandemic wipes out most of the population, a doctor searches for survivors. When she encounters a militia hoarding supplies, she must decide whether to fight back or flee to protect the weak.
A vast desert stretches across what was once a thriving ocean. A former sailor leads a caravan of refugees to a rumored oasis, battling deadly sandstorms and dangerous raiders along the way.
A dome protecting the last human city begins to fail. A scientist must venture into the toxic outside world to find the parts needed for repairs, facing mutated creatures and deadly radiation.
In a world where the sun never rises, a young explorer searches for the last working generator. As the cold and darkness close in, he must fend off rival groups to keep hope alive for his people.
How to Write Great Conflict
If you want readers to care about your characters themselves and the problems that your characters face, you need to write great conflict. Here’s how to do it right:
1. Make it Personal
Even if your story has big, epic stakes (like aliens invading Earth or a giant tsunami), bring it down to a human level. Focus on how the conflict affects your characters directly. Instead of just describing a city getting destroyed by a tsunami, zoom in on one person fighting to save their family. Personal stakes make readers feel the story.
2. Give Clear Motivations
Your characters need strong, personal reasons to face the challenges in front of them. Why does your hero care about solving this problem? Maybe they’re trying to rescue kids from a burning school or find a loved one lost in the chaos. When characters have clear goals, readers root for them.
3. Make the Problem Hard to Solve
If your conflict can be resolved with a simple phone call or a quick conversation, it’s not strong enough. Create obstacles that force your characters to struggle, grow, and sacrifice to overcome them. The tougher the challenge, the more satisfying the payoff.
Extra Tips to Deepen Your Conflict
Layer It Up: Don’t stick to just one type of conflict. Combine internal struggles (self-doubt, fear), interpersonal drama (arguments, betrayal), and external problems (natural disasters, villains, or societal challenges). The more layers, the richer your story.
Raise the Stakes: As the story unfolds, make the consequences of failure bigger and bigger. Start small, but by the climax, everything should feel like it’s on the line.
Build a Great Antagonist: A strong villain or opposing force makes for better conflict. Give your antagonist believable goals and motivations, so they feel like a real person, not a cartoon villain twirling their mustache.
Show Character Growth: Use conflict to show who your characters really are. Do they rise to the challenge? Do they crack under pressure? How they handle problems should reveal their strengths, flaws, and values.
Keep It Fresh: Don’t hit your characters with the same kind of problems over and over. Mix up the challenges they face to keep your story unpredictable.
Like watching better than reading? Check out my YouTube video on this topic below!
Finding Inspiration for Conflict
Conflict is what makes readers care about your characters and their story. Internal and external conflicts will influence how the challenges you create push your characters to grow. The best conflicts are personal and tied to your characters’ flaws and motivations.
So, don’t be afraid to mix different types of conflict. Blend internal struggles, relationship drama, and big external challenges. Layer them into your main plot and subplots to keep your story unpredictable. The goal? Balance tension and resolution to keep your readers invested.
Need Help with Characters?
Great conflict starts with great characters. Download my free Character Development Workbook to create realistic, complex characters that bring your story to life. Click now and start developing fantastic characters!
