: Re: How does (or should) an inner conflict span a series of novels? I recently asked this question, about inner conflict. Mark Baker supplied an answer to that question which redefined how I saw

@Alves689

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There is a long answer and a longer answer.

If you think of the most popular series in history the root of external conflict is obvious - It's in the title.

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone (1997)
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (1998)
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (2000)
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix (2003)
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince (2005)
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (2007)

There is no separation of conflicts (inner or outer). There is only cause and effect. Let's look at this simple plot:

Schizophrenic drug addict, Ben Davidson, rapes and kills Susan Wilson but avoids prosecution due to a chain of evidence technical infringement. Three years later Davidson is rushed to the ER with GSW to the chest received during another attempted rape. The only available surgeon is Dr David Wilson. The surgeon immediately recognises the patient as his wife's murderer. (Conflict). He refuses to perform the surgery. He comes into conflict with the law when he is informed he'll be charged with murder if he lets the patient die. Wilson maintains his resolve and is prepared to go jail rather save this man. The doctor is now romantically involved with a scrub nurse, Jenny. The nurse reminds him that he took an oath to 'first do no harm'. This triggers an internal conflict. After rethinking the issue the doctor remains adamant - "No". He tells his best-friend and colleague that he prepared to go jail for the rest of his life. His college says, "But what Jenny - the rest of her life." (The outside influence provokes new internal conflict - Is Jenny his future? - Subsequently the original conflict needs to be re-addressed. Our doctor performs the surgery, and saves Davidson's life. In the recovery room Davison apologies to Wilson for killing his wife, then promptly asks him to kill him. He explains that he'll never stop raping and killing - the voices make him do it, and he can't stop. Wilson responds saying he can't do it.If he's learned anything today it's that he's surgeon - it's not only what he is but its who he his. His job is to save lives and first do no harm.

Davidson responds "To who?" (We've gone back to the inner conflict).

Hopefully that demonstrates how resolving a conflict often creates another and new events or information causes seemingly resolved conflicts to be re-addressed.

Most series are vocational and good against evil.

Doctors will have new patients.

Lawyers will have new cases.

Police will have new criminals.

Coroners will have new corpses. etc.

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