When it comes to storytelling, characters are often the most important aspect of a story. Conflict is an essential component of any narrative, but it’s important to make sure that the conflict goes beyond just disagreement or fighting. To truly make your conflict engaging, it’s necessary to have a deep and meaningful connection between the protagonist and antagonist.
For instance, consider the difference between a love-hate relationship between a father and son, and a conflict between a protagonist and a dictator who is completely impersonal. The former is much more interesting because there is a personal connection between the characters.
A great example of this can be seen in the film “X-Men: First Class.” In this prequel, the relationships between the protagonist and antagonist are not yet clear cut. The characters are friends to varying degrees, and when their allegiances are established, the conflict becomes much more intense because of their personal connection.
When you’re writing your story, consider the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist. How can you make the conflict more personal and bring it closer to home for both characters? By doing so, you’ll create conflict that is not only deeper, but also richer and more interesting. Your readers will be invested in the outcome and will eagerly turn each page to see what happens next.