Overview: What How Do I Create Romantic Obstacles That Are External Not Just Internal Angst Really Means

When crafting a romance, it’s easy to fall into the trap of relying solely on internal conflict and character angst to fuel the story. But true romantic tension often stems from external forces that challenge the relationship from the outside. Understanding How to create romantic obstacles that are external not just internal angst involves building a world that actively works against the characters’ desire to be together. This could include anything from societal expectations to practical logistical problems.

These external obstacles act as tests, revealing the depth of the characters’ feelings and forcing them to grow, both individually and as a couple.

Who This Is For and When It Makes Sense

This guide is for writers, screenwriters, game developers, and anyone else crafting a romance narrative. It’s particularly useful when:

• You’re struggling to move your romance plot forward.
• Your characters feel stagnant or their problems feel repetitive.
• You want to add depth and complexity to your love story.
• You want to ground the romance in a realistic and believable world.

If your romance is feeling too easy or predictable, shifting the focus to external obstacles can inject new life and excitement into the story. Creating believable external barriers can offer greater depth to the characters’ journey, and provide higher stakes.

How to Do How Do I Create Romantic Obstacles That Are External Not Just Internal Angst Step-by-Step

1. Brainstorm Potential Obstacles: Think about the world your characters inhabit. What are the societal norms, political realities, or practical challenges that could keep them apart? Don’t limit yourself initially.
2. Categorize and Prioritize: Group the obstacles into categories (e.g., social, economic, geographical, political). Then, prioritize them based on their potential impact on the characters and the story.
3. Develop the Obstacles: Flesh out the chosen obstacles with specific details. Who is enforcing the obstacle? What are the consequences of defying it? The more concrete the obstacle, the more compelling it will be.
4. Integrate the Obstacles into the Plot: Don’t just throw obstacles at your characters randomly. Weave them into the existing plot in a way that feels organic and necessary. Show How these obstacles affect the choices the characters make.
5. Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of simply stating that an obstacle exists, show it in action. Depict the characters struggling to overcome the challenge, and reveal How it affects their relationship.
6. Balance Internal and External Conflict: While this guide focuses on external obstacles, internal conflict is still important. Use the external challenges to amplify the characters’ internal struggles and force them to confront their own fears and insecurities.
7. Revise and Refine: Once you’ve integrated the obstacles into your story, revise and refine them as needed. Make sure they are believable, compelling, and serve a purpose in the overall narrative.

The Pressure Points Framework

The “Pressure Points” framework is a simple way to brainstorm and develop external obstacles. It focuses on identifying the key areas of pressure in your characters’ lives and using those pressures to create conflict.

1. Identify Pressure Points: List the key aspects of your characters’ lives (e.g., family, career, social standing, personal beliefs). These are their “pressure points.”
2. Introduce Conflicting Forces: For each pressure point, brainstorm potential forces that could create conflict (e.g., a disapproving family member, a demanding boss, societal prejudice).
3. Escalate the Pressure: Gradually increase the intensity of the conflicting forces, forcing the characters to make difficult choices.
4. Observe the Reaction: Pay close attention to How the characters react to the pressure. Do they crack under the strain, or do they find strength they didn’t know they had?
5. Resolve (or Don’t): Ultimately, the characters must either overcome the pressure or succumb to it. The resolution will depend on the type of story you’re trying to tell.

Options Compared

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Contrived Obstacles: Creating obstacles that feel forced or unbelievable. Solution: Ground your obstacles in the reality of your story’s world and ensure they have logical consequences.
• Inconsistent Character Reactions: Having characters react in ways that are out of character just to create drama. Solution: Stay true to your characters’ established personalities and motivations.
• Overusing the Same Obstacle: Relying on the same type of obstacle repeatedly. Solution: Vary the types of challenges your characters face to keep the story fresh and engaging.
• Ignoring Internal Conflict: Focusing solely on external obstacles and neglecting the characters’ internal struggles. Solution: Use the external challenges to amplify the characters’ internal conflicts and force them to grow.
• Resolving Obstacles Too Easily: Making the obstacles too easy to overcome, Which diminishes their impact. Solution: Make the characters work hard to overcome the challenges, and ensure that the victories feel earned.
• Deus Ex Machina: Resolving the obstacle with a sudden, unexpected, and implausible intervention. Solution: Ensure the characters overcome obstacles through their own actions and decisions.

What Most Guides Miss About How Do I Create Romantic Obstacles That Are External Not Just Internal Angst

Many guides focus solely on listing types of obstacles without addressing the *why* and *How* of effective implementation. Here’s What they often miss:

• The Interconnectedness of Obstacles: External obstacles rarely exist in isolation. They often trigger internal conflicts and are shaped by the characters’ pre-existing vulnerabilities.
• The Importance of Stakes: An obstacle is only compelling if the characters have something significant to lose. Clearly define the stakes involved.
• The Ripple Effect: Overcoming (or failing to overcome) an external obstacle should have lasting consequences on the characters and their relationship. These changes should be shown.
• Thematic Resonance: The most effective obstacles reinforce the central themes of your story. For example, if your story is about overcoming prejudice, your obstacles should reflect that theme.
• The “If/Then” Rule: If a character overcomes a particular obstacle, then What new challenge does that victory present? Continually raising the stakes is key.
• Tradeoffs and Moral Dilemmas: External obstacles can force characters to make difficult choices that reveal their true nature. These choices often involve sacrificing something important.

Quick Checklist

• Identify potential external obstacles based on your story’s world.
• Prioritize obstacles based on their impact and relevance.
• Develop obstacles with specific details and consequences.
• Integrate obstacles seamlessly into the plot.
• Show, don’t tell, the effects of the obstacles.
• Balance external and internal conflict.
• Ensure obstacles align with the story’s themes.

Real-World Example

Imagine a romance between a rising politician, Alex, and a journalist, Ben, in a society where LGBTQ+ relationships are still stigmatized.

Obstacle: A leaked photo of Alex and Ben at a private event threatens to derail Alex’s career.

Decisions: Alex must decide whether to deny the relationship to protect their political future or come out publicly and risk alienating voters. Ben must decide whether to support Alex’s decision, even if it means sacrificing their own integrity as a journalist.

Outcome: Alex chooses to come out publicly, facing backlash but ultimately gaining respect for their honesty. Ben supports Alex’s decision, but the scandal damages their professional reputation.

This example demonstrates How an external obstacle (the leaked photo and societal prejudice) forces the characters to make difficult choices and reveals their true values.

Related Guides on This Site

• Crafting Believable Character Arcs
• Developing Compelling Antagonists
• Writing Realistic Dialogue

Conclusion

Learning How do I create romantic obstacles that are external not just internal angst involves shifting the focus from solely the inner world of your characters to the external forces that challenge their relationship. By incorporating social pressures, geographical barriers, conflicting goals, and other external threats, you can create compelling drama, drive character development, and deepen the emotional impact of your romance. Start brainstorming potential external obstacles today to elevate your storytelling!

FAQs

What is the difference between internal and external conflict in a romance?

Internal conflict refers to the struggles within a character’s own mind, such as insecurities, fears, or conflicting desires. External conflict refers to the challenges that come from outside the character, such as societal pressures, opposing forces, or practical obstacles. Both types of conflict are essential for a compelling romance, but external conflict provides a tangible challenge for the characters to overcome together.

<h3>How do I balance internal and external conflict in my romance?</h3>

<p>The key is to use external conflict to amplify internal struggles and vice versa. For example, a character's fear of commitment (internal conflict) might be triggered by a demanding work schedule (external conflict) that leaves them with little time for a relationship. The external challenge should force the character to confront their internal issues, leading to growth and change.</p>



<h3>What are some examples of social obstacles in a romance?</h3>

<p>Social obstacles can include differences in social class, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, or family expectations. For example, a wealthy socialite might fall in love with a working-class artist, facing disapproval from their families and communities. These obstacles can highlight the characters' values and challenge societal norms.</p>



<h3>How can geographical distance be used as an external obstacle?</h3>

<p>Geographical distance can create longing, communication challenges, and feelings of isolation. Characters might struggle to maintain their connection despite the physical separation, forcing them to rely on technology or make difficult sacrifices to be together. This obstacle can emphasize the importance of commitment and trust.</p>



<h3>What if my characters don't face any obvious external obstacles?</h3>

<p>Even in seemingly idyllic circumstances, you can create external obstacles by introducing unexpected events or challenges that disrupt the characters' lives. This could include a job opportunity that forces them to relocate, a family crisis that demands their attention, or a secret from the past that resurfaces. The key is to find ways to challenge the characters' relationship and force them to adapt.</p>



<h3>How do I avoid making my external obstacles feel contrived or unbelievable?</h3>

<p>Ground your obstacles in the reality of your story's world and ensure they have logical consequences. Research the specific challenges that your characters would realistically face in their situation. Avoid introducing obstacles that come out of nowhere or are easily resolved without any effort from the characters.</p>



<h3>Can external obstacles be used to create comedic situations in a romance?</h3>

<p>Absolutely! External obstacles can be a great source of humor, especially when they involve misunderstandings, mishaps, or absurd situations. For example, characters might get stuck in a compromising position due to a series of unfortunate events, leading to both comedic and romantic moments. The key is to balance the humor with genuine emotion and character development.</p>



<h3>How can I use external obstacles to reveal my characters' true nature?</h3>

<p>External obstacles force characters to make difficult choices under pressure. Their reactions to these challenges reveal their values, priorities, and strengths. Do they prioritize their own needs or the needs of their partner? Do they compromise their principles or stand firm in their beliefs? By observing How characters respond to external obstacles, you can gain deeper insights into their true nature.</p>