The only real antagonist is the protagonist herself.
1) Draw a bubble in the middle of a piece of paper. Write the protagonist's deepest held belief, the one that prevents her from having that which she wants more than anything else in the world. Or do this exercise on yourself to determine what's blocking you -- I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I don't do enough -- pick one, create one, we've all got them.
2) Spiraling out from the bubble, create other bubbles each with an external antagonist that these deepest held beliefs attract -- accidents, bad men, addictions, drama, dead-end jobs, half-finished projects, arguments = conflict, conflict, conflict -- blockage, blockage, blockage... walls that keep the protagonist from achieving her goal(s).
He was balled up, resistant, bitter, deeply resentful and so tight he could barely speak, ready to take offense, full of self-pity = a mess.
Came around to see how the experience (our plot consultation) could work in his benefit. (He didn't stand a chance -- I know what I'm doing and I've worked with so many just like him...)
I give him huge credit for not falling deeper into victimhood. He arose out of the muck long enough to shine.
We'll see how it goes... Wish us luck...
Great idea for fiction or real life. I'm becoming a huge fan of visual mapping (aka your spiraling bubbles!) for brainstorming. Will add this idea to the pack!
Just taking the time to identify the protagonist's deeply held belief, and how it keeps her from getting what she wants, is tremendously helpful.
Thanks!
I think I need to try this with my MC. Thanks.
Glad to hear the plot tips here are helping!!
Thanks for your comments... I appreciate hearing from you...