5 Story Obstacle Ideas That Will Keep Your Readers Engaged

Every great story needs obstacles – the problems, challenges, and conflicts that the characters must overcome to achieve their goals. Without obstacles, your story will be flat and uninteresting. Readers won’t be able to connect with your characters or feel invested in their journey. In this blog post, we’ll share five story obstacle ideas that will keep your readers engaged from beginning to end.

1. Forced to Face a Fear

Fear is a universal emotion, and it’s something that almost everyone can relate to. Use this to your advantage by creating a character who is forced to confront their fear head-on. For example, a character who is deathly afraid of heights might have to climb a tall mountain to save someone they love. This type of obstacle is not only emotionally engaging, but it also creates tension and suspense as the reader wonders whether the character will overcome their fear or not.

2. Time Constraints

Time constraints are a classic story obstacle that are often used in thrillers and action movies. When your characters are under a deadline, the tension and drama are high. Your readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if the characters will make it in time. To use this obstacle, make sure that the time constraints are non-negotiable. There should be consequences if the characters don’t make it in time.

3. External Obstacles

External obstacles are challenges that come from outside the character, such as an antagonist or a natural disaster. These obstacles not only give your characters something to fight against, but they can also reveal more about your characters’ strengths and weaknesses. For example, a character who is faced with a villain might have to use their intelligence or cunning to outsmart them.

4. Internal Obstacles

Internal obstacles are challenges that come from within the character, such as a flaw or a personal struggle. These obstacles can be just as engaging as external obstacles because they often require the character to make personal sacrifices or to confront their own weaknesses. For example, a character who is struggling with addiction might have to overcome their addiction in order to achieve their goal.

5. Moral Dilemmas

Moral dilemmas are obstacles that force the character to consider their values and beliefs. These obstacles can be especially powerful because they require the character to make difficult choices. For example, a character might have to choose between saving the life of a loved one or sacrificing their happiness for the greater good. These types of obstacles are emotionally charged and can add depth to your story.

Conclusion

By including obstacles in your story, you’ll keep your readers engaged and emotionally invested from start to finish. Whether you choose to use time constraints, external obstacles, or a moral dilemma, make sure that the obstacle is significant and challenging enough to keep your readers on the edge of their seats. With these five story obstacle ideas, you’ll be on your way to creating a story that your readers won’t be able to put down.

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