The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 1) (Writers Helping Writers Series)

As someone who has been writing fiction my whole life, I felt like I had the whole "how a story works" thing in the bag. Make some characters, slap them somewhere, keep it engaging, yadda yadda. "I already have a plot," I said. "I already have ideas."I initially bought this book for collection purposes. But flipping through turned into mindful reading, and that reading perfectly connected all the ideas in my brain to form more structure, more meaning to the things that happen in the story. To fully conceptualize and understand a conflict's ins and outs, its done a lot more than get me out of writers block! I absolutely recommend to any writer, beginner or not, any book from this series!

I love this entire series, this book is awesome!

I can only assume that volume two of this book is still in production because I have yet to find it. What a great reference! It occupies a place above my desk where I keep my most valuable references.As a burgeoning writer, I often don't think of the minor details when working through conflict. This outstanding guide gives me something to sink my teeth into. While I am sure it is incomplete, it certainly is a worthwhile guide.The start of this book is full of great reading about what makes for great conflict and how to make the most of it. I will be looking into other titles such as this one. This is an amazing reference that no up and coming writer should be without.

This series of books are great! They’re perfect references for character and dialogue development.I was having a difficult time developing a gray character—not quite evil, but truly flawed—and between this book and some of the others, I finally broke through. Can’t wait for y’all to meet this guy.This book and it’s fellows are the kid you may not crack every day, but you’ll want to keep them close at hand when you’re in the midst of creating your characters and world.

A great book, like all in the series. I took off 1 star only because this is volume 1, and at the back it tells what will eventually be in volume 2, and I feel some of those are so basic (like being orphaned or having a family member die) that I think they should have been in the first volume.

I have been anxiously awaiting the publication of The Conflict Thesaurus! It does not disappoint. Every writer, whether they craft fiction or memoir, needs this book by their computer. It is chock full of useful tools to consider in creating characters and narrative with internal and external conflict. Because I write memoir, my personal favorites are the chapters on "Being Unable to Forgive Someone" and "Having to Betray a Friend or Loved One." This guide rounded out my collection of The Emotional Wound Thesuarus and The Emotion Thesaurus. I can't wait for Ackerman & Puglisi to put out Volume 2 of the Conflict Thesaurus.

As expected, the many ideas and expansions of all kinds of conflicts is excellent, especially for us, um, more mature folks that need prompts ;-). Well done as with all their thesaurus'. The hidden gem in this book, however, is the first 35 pages the proves a well structured, focused, succinct exposition on use and place and breath of CONFLICT in stories. Oh my Gosh!! What a treasure for that aspect - and a very important one - of writing well. Kudo's for them adding that introduction.

This thesaurus is more explanatory than many of the other books in the series. while I don't care for the idea, "In storytelling, a plethora of conflict is encouraged." as the authors say on page 15, it is a truth. each section goes into how a particular situation can be caused and affect a person or plot. It is handy to have these thesauruses on kindle, I prefer referring to the printed book.

I regret the fact that I tried and failed to purchase this volume and the second. I did succeed on the third attempt though. These books are important to me in aiding my writing.

This book shows how long is the trip from the idea to the last point of the story. It's a great collection. Never seen before. It makes the reader humble. Writing is a full time job, not a game.

Für angehende Autoren, die ihren Charakteren Tiefe und echte menschliche Gefühle verleihen wollen, ein absolutes Muss! Besorgt euch die gesamte Reihe, es lohnt sich definitiv!

Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi should be on every writer's bookshelf. Conflict is at the core of story and this book will teach you why as well as how to craft exquisite conflict that both creates killer stakes for your characters and hooks your readers for life.Ackerman-Puglisi's thesaurus is so much more than just a "thesaurus". It's a tutor, a guide, and a writing mentor all crammed into one thesaurus. Not only that, but packed into the front end of their latest thesaurus is an array of writing lessons you NEED if you want to craft the best conflict for your story. They dive into internal conflict, why you need it, what it should look like and how to craft it on paper at the story, scene, and character level. And that's aside from the dozens and dozens of conflict entries.Ackerman-Puglisi have done it again. This really is a must read for any writer hoping to improve their characters and stories.

I have several of these on Kindle and a couple on paperback. It's much easer to use in paperback. A great tool for removing blocks, inspiring ideas, stoking the creative juices. Exactly like looking for a rhyme or synonym except so much more comes out of them.For songwriters I'd recomend the Conflict, Negative Trait, and the Emotional one. The Urban or City settings can be Ok for songwriting too, especially if you like setting a scene of a story, but I prefer the ones that deal with feelings, because you have to get to the point when writing lyrics.