There is a conflict both external and internal when a person lives in a family where one person is addicted to alcohol and will not seek help. The person is in denial.
The result of the person’s drinking and behavior is external.
The feelings inside the person and what they are going through is internal.
There are many problems for the persons and conflict for the persons living with the alcoholic from day to day.
The alcoholic continues with his habits, with no regard to how his drinking and behavior affects the family. The family struggles, an internal conflict; as they try to keep the family together, trying to maintain normal behavior.
Some say to leave the alcoholic. The conflict both external and internal continues to exist.
Hi Janet. This conflict is real for so many people, I hope you will include it as you continue to develop your memoir. It seems like your compassion might help you tell a tough story in a way that will help others, on both sides of the situation, understand it better. Best of luck.
Thank you for your comment Hana. I didn’t have a story for conflicts but this conflict stood out in my mind, Perhaps in time I will develop a story.
I am sure there are emotional stories for your memoir from this piece of writing. Hope we get to hear them.
Hi Jude,
Yes, I’d like to develop a story from this particular conflict and write of the emotions very intense on all sides.
The question I struggle with is how to convey serious emotional conflict by showing it to the reader rather than telling it to them. Good luck with your writing.