I’m going to provide an overview of the four dimensions of conflict, the three John D. MacDonald named when explaining how he created suspense in his Travis McGee series—physical, mental, and spiritual— and the dimension I added, emotional.

It’s worth highlighting the flexibility these four dimensions provide. For instance, in addition to using each of these four on its own, you can also create unexpected situations by combining two or more of them into one complex scenario.

It’s also important to note that loneliness is not a synonym for isolation. You can do something to remedy loneliness, join a group or attend a function, for example, but isolation leaches into your soul. Loneliness is usually transitory and situational. Loneliness—being alone when you don’t want to be—is uncomfortable, even depressing—but it’s repairable. Neither physical nor social isolation can be overcome that simply.

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