What’s The Basic Conflict In My Play?

I’m reading Playwriting: Writing, Producing and Selling Your Play by Louis E. Catron.

I’m on chapter eight and writing out the scenario for my one-man play. What’s the basic conflict?

What does the protagonist want? I want to be happy. I want to connect with others. Who’s the antagonist? Me. My sloppy selfish ways. What’s my conflict? My good side versus my bad side.

Pursuing what I want doesn’t quite work for me because much of what I want is not good for me. So, the basic conflict of my play is within myself — will I get serious about getting the help I need so that I can lead a life with at least normal levels of attachment. Will I come to see the role I play in creating my own misery? What stops me from connecting? It’s easier to imagine my problems as the result of bad luck. It’s easier to see myself as a heroic blogger, battling the forces of oppression and corruption. My true greatness is about to blossom if I can just get a little more of my own way.

How long till the pain that results from doing things my way becomes so severe that I am willing to seek help to change? What stops me from achieving the connection I want?

When did I develop the sloppy habits that have haunted me my whole life? I was born with these habits and resisted the attempts of others to knock them out of me. I just want to do what I want to do and screw everyone else until they hurt me so bad that I become willing to change to make my life easier.

About Luke Ford

I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
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