One element of story successful writers have mastered is knowing the difference between external and internal conflict, and understanding a good book features both.
External conflict is trouble inflicted on the character from an external source: a hurricane, a boss, or a criminal, for instance. Internal conflict is something the character is in control of, but struggles with: anger issues, the inability to commit or trust, compulsive behavior, or phobias. External conflict can cause internal conflict and vice versa, but there is a difference. For a story to work on multiple levels you need both external and internal conflict, and if they play off each other (anger management issues contribute to problems with a boss, or the inability to trust keeps the character from meeting a life mate), then your story will be stronger. Ideally, both conflicts should be conquered by the end of the story—in fact, your external conflict should force your character to deal with their internal conflict in some way.
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