Stuck on plot? Take five minutes and write down your answers to the questions below. See what new ideas come out of examining your structure.

1. What is the first conflict your characters must resolve?
2. How does your protagonist’s attempt to overcome the first obstacle strengthen them?
3. What long-term goals must your character(s) give up to succeed?
4. Which characters have directly opposing goals at the start of the story?
   •  How can both of these goals be accomplished?

Bonus question:

How does the first conflict affect different characters?

I’d love to see your answers too! Leave me a comment below, tag @fictionseed.com on Bluesky, or tag @fictseed on tumblr.