on Jane Friedman site:

Conflict is the key to a successful story. Without it, all you have is a collection of things that are happening to your protagonist, none of which carry the power to force your character to undergo change and bring your story to a satisfying resolution.

And yet lack of conflict, or lack of clarity on conflict, is one of the most common problems I see as a developmental editor and book coach. Writers aren’t sure what’s getting in their character’s way, or why it matters. They may have a vague idea of who the antagonist is, but they haven’t stepped into their shoes to understand what drives them. Or built friction into their scenes.

A successful story needs layers of antagonism to create and sustain conflict on the page, whether you’re writing epic fantasy or realistic fiction. By giving your protagonist challenges to overcome, choices to make, and setbacks to bounce back from, you give your readers a reason to keep turning pages.