• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • About WHW
    • Press Kit
    • Resident Writing Coaches
    • Contact Us
    • Podcasts & Interviews
    • Master Storytelling Newsletter
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
    • Charities & Support
  • Bookstore
    • Bookstore
    • Foreign Editions
    • Book Reviews
    • Free Thesaurus Sampler
  • Blog
  • Software
  • Workshops
  • Resources
    • List of Resources
    • Recommended Writing Books
    • WHW Descriptive Thesaurus Collection
    • Free Tools & Worksheets
    • Free Show-Dont-Tell Pro Pack
  • WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

The Conflict Thesaurus Writing Guide Is Coming

Published: August 12, 2021 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Each year we look forward to this post, the one where we get to spill the beans and introduce to you the next book in our thesaurus series. This one we are so excited about, because no matter what genre and age group you write for, mastering conflict is a must. And this book is going to help you do just that.

But first…

THE COVER!

Isn’t she pretty?

We figured it was time to go for gold, because, well, this book is a goldmine of conflict scenarios that will challenge your character inside and out! Here’s the back jacket…

THE CONFLICT THESAURUS, VOLUME 1:
A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles

Every story starts with a character who is motivated by a need and has a goal that can resolve it. Whether their objective is to find a life partner, bring a killer to justice, overthrow a cruel regime, or something else, conflict transforms a story premise into something fresh. Physical obstacles, adversaries, moral dilemmas, deep-seated doubts and personal struggles…these not only block a character’s external progress, they become a gateway for internal growth. The right conflict will build tension and high stakes, challenge characters as they traverse their arcs, and most importantly, keep readers emotionally invested from beginning to end.

CHOOSE MEANINGFUL CONFLICT TO FIT YOUR CHARACTER AND STORY

IInside Volume 1 of The Conflict Thesaurus, you’ll find:

  • A myriad of conflict options in the form of relationship friction, failures and mistakes, moral dilemmas and temptations, pressure and ticking clocks, and no-win scenarios
  • An analysis of each scenario that maps out possible complications and catastrophes, internal struggles, and the stressful impacts on a character’s basic human needs 
  • Guidance on using conflict to influence your protagonist’s character arc through opportunities for failure and success
  • Master class instruction on internal conflict: what it is, why it’s important, and how to incorporate it at the scene and story levels
  • Information about the role conflict plays in generating high stakes that are personally significant to the character, upping the tension for readers
  • A breakdown of the various adversaries your character might encounter along the way

Don’t give your character a break. Keep the hits coming with a variety of obstacles that will force them to work harder to get what they want. With over 100 entries arranged in a user-friendly format, The Conflict Thesaurus is the guide you need to write intense and satisfying fiction readers won’t forget.

Volume 1… Does that mean what I think it does?

Yes! There will be two volumes. The second will contain even more advice on writing conflict and offer more conflict scenarios, giving you endless ways to challenge your characters. Look for Volume 2 releasing in 2022.

Will there be a preorder?

Sorry, no. We’ve tried a preorder in the past, but a certain online store made a mess of it (costing us hundreds of sales), so we’re not eager to try again. Our apologies. But you can get a notification the instant the book is available. Just add your email here!

Can I get an ARC of the Conflict Thesaurus?

Every book launch we give out 50 Arcs, and unfortunately these have already been distributed. We’re sorry! But we hope you will review this guide when it’s out, and we’d be honored to have you on our Street Team if you’d like to be involved. (See below)

Will you have a Street Team? Can I help?

Yes, yes, and YES! If you would like to be part of our Street Team, you can sign up here. To make this a success, we need helpers in many areas and your support is always appreciated so much. Plus, you get a front row seat to managing a Street Team and running a launch, which you can apply to your own book launches!

Can I access The Conflict Thesaurus at One Stop for Writers?

Yes, in September. We always add all thesauruses to One Stop for Writers where they Borg into the largest descriptive database found anywhere.

Did we miss a question? If so, please ask and we’ll be happy to answer!

We hope you are as excited for this book as we are! Two months…hurry up and get here, October 12th!

~ Becca & Angela

ANGELA ACKERMAN
ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Book Covers, Conflict, Conflict Thesaurus Guide, Conflict Thesaurus Guide, High Stakes, Publishing and Self Publishing, Show Don't Tell, Tension, The Business of Writing, Uncategorized, Writing Craft

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Jo A Springer says

    August 31, 2021 at 10:06 am

    OMG! This is just what I need. Can’t wait to get my hands on this! Thank you! Thank you!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 31, 2021 at 11:08 am

      I’m excited that you’re excited!!

  2. Patricia Roberts Wright says

    August 17, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    I just love the books y’all produce; they’re so helpful. Can’t wait to see THE CONFLICT THESAURUS and put it to work. Thank you, thank you!

  3. Leam says

    August 16, 2021 at 8:41 am

    I am really looking forward to this! Strong, dynamic conflict takes a lot of effort; if this book is as good as your others then it will be worth the money!

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      August 16, 2021 at 11:14 am

      I’m so glad you’re excited for this one, Leam. We are, too!

  4. M.D. Pitman says

    August 16, 2021 at 6:57 am

    Saving up to buy the complete set. I have three of the books. This is a great career investment (or I should say pre-career for me at this point).

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      August 16, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Christmas is coming! 🙂

  5. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    August 14, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    Congratulations! Another great addition to the series. Your books are some of the most practical and useful. You’ve done a great job with them.

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 15, 2021 at 12:29 am

      Aw, thank you, Alex! We love creating these and knowing they are helping others. I hope this one will be just as helpful as the rest!

  6. Joy V Spicer says

    August 14, 2021 at 6:29 am

    Yes! Another one for my collection, thank you 😊 This sounds like it will complement the Emotional Wound Thesaurus quite well. Can’t wait to get my paws on it. And great choice of colour for the cover. Thank you, ladies!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 14, 2021 at 8:57 am

      Joy, we hope you love it! Thanks for the kind words. We love the cover too – the designer did a great job of recreating the metallic effect!

  7. Heather Lewallen says

    August 13, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    I have all your books, too! Exciting news! Keeping being awesome, Ladies!!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 13, 2021 at 5:52 pm

      Aw, you are too kind, Heather–thank you!

  8. Judy Kentrus says

    August 13, 2021 at 9:35 am

    This is a must have addition to the books you’ve already made available to us.
    I have all of the book and they’re lined up on my writing desk for handy reference.

    Looking forward to the next two books. Tank you so much!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 13, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      Judy, I love knowing our books are on your desk, nice and close to all the action! <3

  9. Jan Sikes says

    August 12, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    This is a must-have for me!! Thank you, ladies!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 13, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Jan, I am so glad this will be a good one for you! Hurray for conflict!

  10. Karen Jennings says

    August 12, 2021 at 7:01 pm

    I have all your books, so can’t wait to get this one! Yippee!

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 13, 2021 at 8:54 am

      Karen, thank you for the kind words. We are so glad our books help!

  11. Lee-Ann says

    August 12, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    So excited!!! Can’t wait to get my copy. 🙂 You just made my day.

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      August 12, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      We’re so glad! This book is packed with ways to cause characters pain muahahahaaa…

Trackbacks

  1. Need more hidden conflict in your work-in-progress? The Conflict Thesaurus to the rescue! - Laurel Decher says:
    October 12, 2021 at 2:39 am

    […] […]

  2. Handy Resources for the Serious Writer – Write2Ignite says:
    September 23, 2021 at 3:32 pm

    […] you are stuck on a scene or fleshing out an MC. Just as a typical thesaurus, information within The Conflict Thesaurus is easy to […]

  3. The Conflict Thesaurus – Abitsa says:
    September 8, 2021 at 10:17 pm

    […] is coming soon (October 12th). Want to know what the Conflict Thesaurus is about? Just go here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2021/08/the-conflict-thesaurus-writing-guide-is-coming/ #writing […]

Primary Sidebar


Welcome!

Writing is hard. Angela & Becca make it easier. Get ready to level up your fiction with game-changing tools, resources, and advice.

Subscribe to the Blog

Check your inbox to confirm! If gremlins tried to eat it, you might have to check your spam folder.

Find it Fast

Read by Category

Grab Our Button

Writers Helping Writers

Software that Will Change the Writing Game

One Stop for Writers

Join our Writers Helping Writers Newsletter

NO AI TRAINING: Any use of this content to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The legal copyright holder, Writers Helping Writers®, reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models. WRITERS HELPING WRITERS® · Copyright © 2025 · WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

 

Loading Comments...