Workshop
Dramatizing inner conflict
$15
Write your characters’ internal struggles with powerful emotions that keep the reader wondering what happens next.

Barbara Vance
Instructor
8
lessons
1h
video runtime
2
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Course Description
One of the best ways to infuse a story with drama is by giving a character internal struggles. Inner conflict draws readers or viewers to a character, deepening their investment in the story. But it must be written strategically so that the reader is held in suspense, not sure what the character will do.
This workshop addresses how to:
- Choose conflicting values that maximize drama and character development.
- Demonstrate internal conflict scene by scene, building to a climax.
- Ensure your character’s struggles drive the plot and create suspense.
- Write characters who are consistent, despite having opposing desires.
- Describe inner conflict vividly using exposition, action, and dialogue.
This course includes
- Class notes so you can follow along with each video lecture
- A workbook walking you through planning your character’s internal struggle and plotting the scenes that demonstrate it.
Students have course access for 365 days. All worksheets and notes are downloadable.

What's Inside
This workshop includes class notes so you can follow along with the video lectures and a workbook to help plan out your character’s internal struggles.
Course Content

What People Are Saying
“FANTASTIC CLASS. This helped me answer some questions that I have been struggling with, or better put, drew me a little closer to finding my groove with those topics. The tricky dilemma of “show, don’t tell” (in order to show something, you MUST tell something else); pacing the story; and my favorite, reconciling the story on my mind with the structural frame. “

Silvija
Student
“I am an actor in-development and I am working on a scene a month to improve my acting skills, this is a very great breakdown of how to create conflict in the character. It just so happened that I was working on a scene from Mr. Robot, Elliot and he is confronting a man about his sins. I was struggling with how to play this scene, but this video gave me insight and sparked ideas immediately that is going to help me define this role and hopefully act it a more interesting and truthful performance. Thank you.”

Thain
Student
“Barbara is a wonderful teacher, she gives us some insights that are so helpful. I was trying to write a short story and by watching this class I could come up with better ideas and better understand of how to write something more meaningful. 10/10!! “

Michel
Student
“Conflict is the basis for any story. This is a concept that applies to all genres. Barbara’s advice can even help you highlight the conflict in nonfiction works as well as fiction. This course is a must-watch for all creative writers.”

James
Student
“I LOVE THESE!!! #BarbaraVanceFan “

The Greenwoods
Student
“Very impressed. Very helpful!”

Graeme
Student
“I like how she breaks down how you should approach conflicting values. The examples were clear and concise.”

Margery
Student
“Thank you for the amazing course! It was very helpful, I would recommend it to anyone interested.”

Matija
Student
“Very helpful writing advice that I don’t often see covered in other lectures”

Eillott
Student
“I love how animated she gets, makes the class more entertaining and the info more memorable”

Kate
Student
“Engaging, well-paced, lucid instructions”

Carter
Student
“I got goosebumps with the example story. Just let that sink in”

Simone
Student
“Teaching with great insights. Thanks. “

Bill
Student
“As always, this course gave me a lot to think about”

Carney
Student
“This is a good class.”

Aurora
Student
“Great, as always! “

Sam
Student
“It is interesting to learn about creating a good story. “

Kris
Student
“SOLID material. Wow.”

Krystal
Student
Barbara Vance, PhD
I am a writer and instructor who has been blessed to help thousands of writers bring their stories to life.
My degrees include a B.A. in literature, an MA in Literature and Creative Writing, and a PhD in storytelling and media. Prior to launching my own company, I taught writing and storytelling at a tier-one university.
Over the past sixteen years I have developed a widely acclaimed collection of courses designed to help writers develop their stories, stay on track, and finish what they start . . . even while juggling busy careers and a family.
I am also the author of a multi-award-winning poetry collection, and my poems are licensed for use in anthologies and curricula around the world.

No Risk 7-day, Money-back Guarantee
If you take the course and don’t feel like it helped, simply reach out to us, show us you have made an effort, and we will refund your full investment.
