A novel will have one main plot and several smaller storylines to accompany it. Think of these little storylines as story threads. Having more than one storyline is not uncommon – in fact, your main characters will have their own storylines within the overall plot.

Most stories consist of more than one plot. Each such plot is a self-contained storyline. Often there is a central plot and at least one subplot. That’s why the central plot is often what a story is described as being about.

While you can define a plot as a sequence of events, a sequence of events isn’t necessarily a plot. Every single day of your life is a sequence of events. But very few days of your life, if any, have been exciting enough for a plot in a novel. So although plot is “what happens,” there’s more to it than that.

The 36 situations

• Supplication. a persecutor; a suppliant; a power in authority, whose decision is doubtful.
• Deliverance. an unfortunate; a threatener; a rescuer.
• Crime pursued by vengeance. a criminal; an avenger.
• Vengeance taken for kin upon kin.
• Pursuit.
• Disaster.
• Falling prey to cruelty/misfortune.
• Revolt.

Armed conflict often leads to forced migration, long-term refugee problems, and the destruction of infrastructure. Social, political, and economic institutions can be permanently damaged. The consequences of war, especially civil war, for development are profound.

Conflict can arise from misunderstandings about: The nature, aims and objectives of a job. Differing expectations about how things should be done. Work conditions and wages.

Conflict occurs with two or more people who, despite their first attempts at agreement, do not yet have agreement on a course of action, usually because their values, perspectives and opinions are contradictory in nature. Conflict can occur: Within yourself when you are not living according to your values.

1. Listen to your mind and body. A key step in learning to recognize your triggers involves paying attention when situations generate a strong emotional response.
2. Step back. When you notice these signs, stop to consider what just happened and the response it activated.
3. Trace the roots.
4. Get curious.

Generally, people with dementia become agitated due to three potential trigger categories: Medical, physiological and/or environmental.

Some examples of common triggers are:

• the anniversary dates of losses or trauma.
• frightening news events.
• too much to do, feeling overwhelmed.
• family friction.
• the end of a relationship.
• spending too much time alone.
• being judged, criticized, teased, or put down.
• financial problems, getting a big bill.

During a traumatic event, the brain often ingrains sensory stimuli into memory. Even when a person encounters the same stimuli in another context, they associate the triggers with the trauma. In some cases, a sensory trigger can cause an emotional reaction before a person realizes why they are upset.

Use these strategies to start healing your emotional triggers.

1. Be aware. In your journal, identify your top three emotional triggers which cause you to be most upset and thrown off balance.
2. Track the trigger’s origin.
3. Reprogram negative beliefs.
4. Act as if.
5. Work with a therapist or coach.