Let’s look at some tips to help you to create believable conflict.
1. Try to make your characters’ conflicts stem from who they are
The most realistic conflicts between characters stem from who they are. The Odd Couple is my favorite example of this type of conflict. When Felix and Oscar live together they’re so different that conflict is guaranteed.
Have you watched any episodes of the long-running TV series, MASH? The series’ major conflicts came from the Korean war, but the characters were all in conflict too.
Most of the conflicts in your novel will be minor, but your major conflicts should be difficult or seemingly impossible to resolve.