What Are The Best Ways To Depict Internal Conflicts In Characters?

Illustrating the conflicts of characters is an element, in crafting captivating fiction. Internal conflicts, which are the battles that take place within a characters mind often contribute to making characters appear authentic, relatable and unforgettable. Here are some effective methods for portraying conflicts in your characters;

Stream of Consciousness; This narrative technique explores the thoughts and emotions of a character offering insight into their struggles. Authors like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce have gained recognition for their use of stream of consciousness.
Dialogue; Internal conflict can be unveiled through conversations either by having characters express their concerns to others or through dialogue where characters engage in self debate. Skillful use of subtext, in dialogue can also be impactful; sometimes what remains unsaid speaks volumes.
Physical Reactions and Behavior; Actions speak louder than words. Characters may exhibit signs that reflect their turmoil through body language, behaviors or recurring habits that reveal their emotional state. For instance a nervous character might. Avoid making eye contact.
Conflicting Beliefs and Desires; When a characters values or desires clash with each other it generates conflicts that add depth to their portrayal. Characters often find themselves torn between their desires and what they believe to be right resulting in dilemmas.
Exploring Thoughts; By delving into a characters thoughts you can effectively portray their internal struggle and allow readers to experience it firsthand.
Reactions, to External Situations; How characters respond to circumstances can offer glimpses into their conflicts. Their choices, actions and coping mechanisms all reveal the struggles they face within.
Symbolism and Themes; Symbolic elements can be employed to represent a characters conflict without stating it. Repeated imagery or motifs can serve as metaphors for their struggles adding depth to the storys themes.
Character Growth; As characters confront and ultimately resolve their conflicts they should undergo development and transformation. This evolution adds complexity to the narrative. Shapes the characters journey.

To master these techniques effectively it is beneficial to read and observe how different authors depict conflict. Regular writing practice will also help refine your portrayal of characters inner battles through these strategies while seeking feedback, for improvement. Here are some additional resources you might find helpful;

Books;

"Writing the Breakout Novel" by Donald Maass. You can find it at http://www.maassagency.com/books.html

"The Art of Character; Creating Memorable Characters, for Fiction, Film and TV" by David Corbett. Check it out at https://www.davidcorbett.com/books/the art of character/

Articles;

"How to Write Characters with Strong Internal Conflict" by Janice Hardy. At https://blog.janicehardy.com/the inner struggle guides for using internal conflict that make sense.html

"Inner Conflict—The Essential Ingredient, for a Compelling Novel”. You can read it at https://jamigold.com/2014/10/inner conflict ingredient for compelling novel/

Keep in mind that portraying conflict requires finesse and an understanding of human nature. Mastering the use of conflict can transform a story into a captivating and emotionally engaging narrative.