How to identify the central conflict in my novels?

Well, start by paying attention to the characters' wants and what's stopping them from getting it. It could be internal, like a character's fear or self-doubt, or external, like a villain or a societal rule. Also, notice any power struggles or differences in values. Those are common sources of conflict in a story.

You can start by looking at the characters' goals and the obstacles they face. Usually, the conflict arises when those goals are challenged or blocked.

Look for opposing forces or situations. Maybe it's a character's internal struggle or a clash between characters. Sometimes it's a fight against nature or society.

The central conflict creates tension. For instance, if there's a family - based conflict where a character's family disapproves of their partner, it forces the couple to either fight against the family or try to change their minds. This struggle moves the story forward. If the conflict is internal, like a character's fear of commitment, it makes the relationship development more complex and interesting as the other character tries to break down those barriers.

It's extremely important. It gives a sense of closure to the story. Without a proper end to the central conflict, the story would feel unfinished and leave the readers or viewers frustrated.

It could be a struggle between characters' desires and external obstacles. Maybe it's a fight for survival or a battle of wills within a relationship.

The central message of a story is often something universal or profound that the author wants to communicate. To find it, think about what the story makes you feel and what values or insights it offers. Sometimes, it can be summed up in a single statement.

The central idea is like the heart of the story. It's the main point or message the author wants to convey. You can find it by looking at the key events and themes throughout.

Look for any sort of struggle. If characters are arguing or fighting, that's a sign of conflict. For example, in a detective story, the detective might be in conflict with the criminal he's trying to catch.

The conflict in a story can often be identified by looking for opposing forces. For example, it could be a character against another character, like in a rivalry. Or it could be a character against nature, such as a sailor fighting a storm. Also, a character might have an internal conflict, like being torn between two different desires or values.