Point and Counterpoint
Another thing this book suggest for developing internal conflict is point/counterpoint. This means creating situations throughout the book that alternately prove and disprove your character's beliefs. This keeps the character torn, making it difficult to give in.
So for instance, if you have a character whose husband wants to have kids, but she is reluctant, you would go back and forth in the plot with maybe a volunteer opportunity that brings her close to kids and she starts think maybe, then maybe her sister's 13 year old gets caught shoplifting or the 16 yo is acting out. Add that to a promotion at work she's worked hard for that means more travel, but her husbandis laid off and starts a furniture business that allows him to work from home. So you can see the push pull of the plot would keep the character bouncing back and forth until a decision is finally made.
So the next step for me will be to look over my plot and see if I'm delivering in terms of point/counterpoint.
So for instance, if you have a character whose husband wants to have kids, but she is reluctant, you would go back and forth in the plot with maybe a volunteer opportunity that brings her close to kids and she starts think maybe, then maybe her sister's 13 year old gets caught shoplifting or the 16 yo is acting out. Add that to a promotion at work she's worked hard for that means more travel, but her husbandis laid off and starts a furniture business that allows him to work from home. So you can see the push pull of the plot would keep the character bouncing back and forth until a decision is finally made.
So the next step for me will be to look over my plot and see if I'm delivering in terms of point/counterpoint.