Sometimes, characters won’t cooperate. It happens to everyone. But what to do when it does happen? Well, you could try talking to your characters. But. If your characters are like mine, it’s not going to work. Not in the slightest. Which means you have to resort to the next best thing: bribes.
Yes, bribes.
For instance, I’ve already bribed Natasha. The bribe? If she cooperates during NaNo, I’ll let her do a Q and A here, like she wants.
So, today, I’ll be sharing with you some bribes I’ve given my characters, and a guide to how to create the perfect bribe.
Oh, and an added safety guide for if the bribes backfire. Which I am NOT responsible for, please remember that.
Bribes I’ve given my characters:
1. They won’t be killed if they cooperate properly.
2. In the case of Norin, he’ll receive a large cheese if he accidentally almost kills someone else.
3. They’ll get another pet rooster.
4. Extra ration tickets.
Those are my main bribes, but I’m sure I’ve done more.
Creating the perfect bribes:
First, think of the thing your character loves most.
Is it attention? Their little sister? Food? Comfort? A certain someone?
Once you’ve got that down, how can you work that something into the bribe?
For instance, let’s take Natasha. Natasha is the person that loves attention. But…. this is a spoiler…. she also later on into the book loves a certain someone. (She’ll never admit it, though.)
So, we’ll use the certain someone for this example. I could say, “Natasha, if you nearly die, I’ll let Alex live.” And hopefully, she’d say “Well, if Alex lives…. then okay.”
But what do you do if your character doesn’t say yes? What if your character isn’t a selfless kind of person, at least not at this time in the book?
Well then. Just tweak the bribe so that it benefits them only. For instance: “I’ll kill your enemy AND give you chocolate if you cooperate for the rest of the book.” As you can see, your character has the advantage here.
Surviving after you’ve made the bribe:
So, you’ve made the bribe. But your character is angry at you for even suggesting such an awful idea. Or, perhaps, you do what I do, and blackmail your characters. *cough cough* For example, you’ve bribed them, they accepted. They cooperate. BUT. You betray them and don’t give them the thing you promised them.
And now, you’ve got a band of angry characters chasing after you with spiders, knives, and weather men.
What do you do now?!
Well, I’m afraid I’m not much help there. You’ll just have to figure it out yourself.
JUST KIDDING JUST KIDDING.
Did you seriously think I’m that evil? Well, I’m not.
Here’s my advice: have a storm shelter stocked up with healthy food like chocolate, cake, and ice cream. Barricade the doors. Have plenty of soft blankets in the storm shelter, as well.
Then, sit and wait till the storm passes!
If you don’t have a storm shelter handy, lock yourself in the room. Or the library. Hopefully, your characters aren’t rude enough to yell/murder in a library.
And if you have none of those handy?
Well, all I can say is, don’t make your characters mad.
On a completely unrelated note, I just saw the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and AAJSDKLAHHJKASDJHAKL IT’S AMAZING.
Expect lots of ranting about it in the future.
KARINA AND HENRY WILL AND ELIZZABETHHHHH. ahem. *cough cough*
Did you like this post? Do you bribe your characters? Have you seen the new POTC movie? DO YOU SHIP ANYONE? (the obvious answer is yes.)
This was hilarious, Chloe. XDD I think my bribes would quickly backfire, because I take away everything Kamri loves at some point in the story. WAIT. NO. I haven’t taken away her singing. I could give her vocal nodes! >:)
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Thank you! NO DON’T PLEASE DON’T THIS BACKFIRED ON MEEEEEEEE
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WHY NOOOOT.
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PLEASE NOOOOOOO PLEASE NOOOOO POOR KAMRIIIIIII
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TOOOO LATE! THE DESCISION IS MADE. SHE HAS NO FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR VOICE. >:)
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NOOOO
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YEEES
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NOOOOOOOOO
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YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS
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I KNOW RIGHT!?! IT’S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! 😍 Carina and Henry😍 Will and Elizabeth 😍 YES! I’m sorry Im getting crazy here 😜 Anyway, did you see the little clip at the end of the credits?(btw, all the movies have clips at the end of the credits but this is..um.. like extremely promising!!! 😉 🙌😄😍).
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Yes, I did see it!!!! And I’m so happy about it!!
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ME TOO!!!
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But it also gives me a lot of questions 😉
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Same!
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😄
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I loved this, Chloë!! I might have to reconsider the idea of bribing my characters…I have a feeling they will rebel during NaNo. XD
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Thank you! I’m so glad!
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I have to admit, Chloe, that I hardly ever bribe my characters. I find that force works just as well. But then again….maybe it`s time to try sneakier methods. If bribery fails, you could try blackmailing them with the deep, dark secrets of their past. “if you don’t behave yourself, sir, I’ll tell her what you really did to her chocolate bar!” That would probably be very effective too. 😀 Good post, 😀
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Oooh, good idea! Thanks!
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This is SO hilariously funny (and useful)! Really enjoyed reading this post! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Btw, I only just discovered your blog & I LOVE it! *presses follow* Keep it up! ❤❤❤❤
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Thank you so very much!!!
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It’s My Pleasure Sweetie! 😘😘 (Check out my blog if you don’t mind – I’d really appreciate it!) 🙂
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Great post! I also have a blog! I mostly post about photography and AG dolls! It would be awesome if you could follow it! I’m trying to reach 70 followers! Thanks!
~Bella / https://dollhabit.wordpress.com/
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Thank you! I’ll check it out!
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Great! Thanks for the follow!
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