How to write external conflict (without being predictable)
Use these 7 tips
Most stories already have external conflict.
There’s a problem. An obstacle. Something standing in the character’s way.
But as we talked about in the last post, that’s not the issue.
The issue is that a lot of external conflict feels predictable. It exists—but it doesn’t do enough.
It doesn’t create tension in the right places. It doesn’t shape the character. And it doesn’t make the story feel original.
So in this post, we’re moving from understanding to execution.
Here are 7 ways to write external conflict that actually drives your story forward and makes it more engaging.
1) Make the conflict specific to your character
Generic conflict leads to generic stories.
The same situation should feel different depending on who it’s happening to.
Instead of asking “what’s the obstacle?”, ask:
why is this hard for this character?
what does this situation threaten for them personally?
what makes this conflict uniquely uncomfortable for them?
Conflict becomes more interesting when it’s tailored—not interchangeable.
2) Avoid the obvious obstacle
The first idea is often the most predictable one.
If the conflict feels familiar, push it further.
For example:
instead of a clear enemy → create someone with mixed intentions
instead of a direct problem → introduce something indirect or subtle
instead of a single obstacle → layer multiple smaller ones
Creativity in conflict often comes from not settling for the first solution.
3) Let conflict escalate, not repeat
If every obstacle feels the same, the story starts to stall.
Conflict should build, not cycle.
That means:
increasing pressure over time
changing the nature of the obstacle
raising what’s at stake
A small problem shouldn’t lead to another small problem, and each new conflict should feel like it matters more than the last.
4) Use conflict to force decisions
External conflict isn’t just something the character reacts to. It should demand action.
Every meaningful obstacle should lead to a choice:
move forward or pull back
confront or avoid
risk something or protect it
If conflict doesn’t lead to decisions, it becomes passive. And passive conflict doesn’t hold attention.
5) Add consequences beyond the moment
Conflict shouldn’t end when the scene ends.
It should carry forward. That can look like:
strained relationships
new complications
unexpected outcomes
emotional or situational fallout
Strong conflict creates ripple effects. Weak conflict resets. When consequences linger, the story gains weight.
6) Make the outcome uncertain
Tension depends on not knowing what will happen.
If the reader can easily predict the outcome, the conflict loses impact.
You can create uncertainty by:
giving both sides valid points
introducing variables outside the character’s control
avoiding clear “right” answers
And remember that the goal isn’t confusion. It’s possibility.
7) Let conflict reveal something
External conflict shouldn’t just block progress. It should expose something about:
the character
their relationships
the world they’re in
This could be:
a hidden motive
a flaw
a misunderstanding
a truth they’ve been avoiding
The best conflict creates insight along with tension.
Final thoughts
External conflict is what moves your story, but movement alone isn’t enough.
What matters is how that conflict is shaped, how it evolves, and what it reveals along the way.
You don’t need to constantly add new obstacles. You need to make the ones you already have more intentional.
And when external conflict is done well, it doesn’t just push the story forward.
It makes every step feel like it matters.
Now it’s time for you to practice!
Check out this post for writing prompts to help you apply what you’ve learned to your own writing 👇🏽
Thank you for the breakdown of different ways to write external conflict! In my main project, my characters have several obstacles that build on each other. And then they get a new big one...