Sacrifice as a plot opens up space for a lot of internal conflict and character motivation. If you’d like to check out some other plot scenarios, you can do so here.
- An object or person is given up to accomplish a goal or an ideal.
Looking at it initially, you might feel limited in the amount of roles you have to play with, but don’t be fooled. Not only do you have the person committing the sacrifice, the one attempting to stop said sacrifice, but you also have the one who takes the person or thing sacrificed. In some instances, the person who is given up is also the one committing the sacrifice, making this a case of self-sacrifice. In these cases, those who are left to complete that goal or ideal also fill out your roles.
Conflict can actually occur as both internal and external forms with a sacrifice plot. Depending on what is being given up and the cost of doing so, whoever commits to it may have reservations about doing so, even in the name of reaching their goal. As an external conflict, another party may want to prevent the sacrifice for varying reasons, either because they are the one to be sacrificed, or because they don’t feel it’s the best solution.
As a main plot, the goal itself needs to be relatively big and have an impact on everyone involved, with the sacrifice itself becoming the final solution and potentially your climax (this obviously may not hold true based on your story’s events and how exactly they take place). As a minor plot, the conflict over whether or not to make that sacrifice may work better in center stage.
The Written Vixen 