What are the top conflicts for stories?

Sure. Character vs. nature can be a significant conflict. In 'Life of Pi', Pi has to survive on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, facing the challenges of nature like storms and wild animals. This conflict tests his will to live.

The man - vs - nature conflict also creates interesting stories. In 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway, the old fisherman battles the sea and a huge marlin. His struggle against the powerful forces of nature shows his determination and the harshness of the natural world.

Well, in many stories, a classic conflict is person vs. society. For example, in '1984' by George Orwell, the main character Winston battles against the totalitarian society he lives in. It's about his struggle for individuality and freedom against a system that suppresses both.

External interference is often a conflict in love stories. It could be a rival who tries to break up the couple. This rival might be attracted to one of the partners and use various means to create problems between them. Also, personal insecurities play a role. If one partner has self - doubt or jealousy issues, it can cause conflicts. For instance, they might be overly possessive or constantly suspect the other of being unfaithful.

In fantasy stories, a conflict could be the clash between different races or species. Take 'Warcraft' as an example. There are constant battles between humans, orcs and other races. Environmental conflicts also exist. Maybe a magical forest is being corrupted by some dark magic and the characters need to save it. And there are often conflicts arising from power struggles within kingdoms or among different magical groups.

One common conflict is the loss of a loved one. This could be through death, separation, or estrangement. It creates a deep sense of grief and loneliness in the characters, driving the sad tone of the story. Another is unrequited love. When a character loves someone who doesn't return their feelings, it leads to heartbreak and often self - doubt. Also, the struggle against a cruel society or unfair circumstances can be a conflict. For example, a poor person trying to make ends meet in a world that offers little opportunity, which can lead to a sad and desperate situation.

Character vs. nature can be really engaging too. Such as a group of hikers getting caught in a violent storm. They have to battle against the forces of nature like strong winds, heavy rain, and difficult terrains. This type of conflict can test the characters' survival skills and also their mental and physical strength.

External temptations are common conflicts. For instance, if a character in a love story is attracted to someone else while being in a relationship. Miscommunication is another big one. When partners don't communicate well, misunderstandings occur and turn into conflicts. And cultural differences can be a conflict too. In interracial or intercultural love stories, different cultural values and traditions may clash and create problems for the relationship.

Good conflicts in stories often involve a struggle between opposing forces. It could be a character against society, like in '1984' where Winston battles the totalitarian regime. It makes the story engaging as the reader wonders how the character will overcome.

One good conflict is person vs. self. For example, a character may struggle with their own insecurities or moral dilemmas. Another is person vs. society, like a character fighting against unjust social norms. Person vs. nature can also be great, such as a hiker trying to survive a harsh storm.