Internal Conflict Is More Compelling

It's classically said that there are only three stories: man versus god, man versus man, and man versus himself. And since all stories are classically about conflicts, we can look at the first two examples as stories external conflicts and the last one as stories about internal conflicts.

Personally, I find internal conflict is more compelling. External conflicts can be grand and powerful. Two mighty forces clashing against each other, emotions flaring, and you've got the makings of a blockbuster movie. But the stories are generally simpler. Two forces clash, one of which will be stronger than the other, and that's the one that survives.

But when dealing with internal conflict, the two forces exist in a single mind. This undermines the classic confidence of heroes, the valiant efforts they make. These stories are about a person who is confused and torn, who is simply trying to figure out what they really want. They are not people who simply have to defeat an opponent to get what they want. They are people who want things that are impossible, and have to find a way to deal with it. And that is the height of drama, of truly compelling storytelling, to me.