forum Threats?
Started by @Say-Hello-to-the-Rugs-Topology
tune

people_alt 3 followers

@Say-Hello-to-the-Rugs-Topology

I need help coming up with a threat that will force one of my main characters into the conflict of the story, but I'm looking to go for something that's better than just a death threat if possible. (if you think a death threat would be the most interesting, I'm down for it. Just wondering if there's anything better.)

So essentially, the main character gets arrested for a 3rd time offense in street racing and has lost just about everything he cares about. His car has been impacted and his license has been revoked. He's broke as all hell. An old, rich friend bails him out and pays the fine for the 3rd time. Shortly after the MC gets out of jail, he's kidnapped by his friend and brought to an unknown location where they decide that the MC is going to be forced into something like a spy mission. The money that he would have earned from the operation is going to go straight to the friend that he owes.
The MC is really stubborn so I need his 'friend' to threaten him with something. I felt that a death threat could be a little too extreme and it doesn't help that MC has already lost the things he cares most about.

Any and all ideas are appreciated :]

@that1_T0ad language

Maybe this MC did something bad in his past–something that could get him arrested and possibly sentenced to death–that only his best friend knows about. His best friend could easily blackmail the MC into doing what he asks, if you make this MC is terrified of returning to prison.
Hope that helps!

@Joy_

Hello! What I find helpful is to think of what the character loves most, friends, family, money, freedom, and then threaten to take that away from them, that's what I do!

@Lupout

You could go with a more lighthearted threat

like maybe your MC has been saving up to fix his now busted car, like its badly dented but still salvageable, and then the villian is like,
I think you’re going to want to do what we say
Y would i do that ive already lost everything
You’ll comply or we’ll crush your prized racing car into a cube
NOT BRAD! Nothing can replace Brad!

Just like make it a threat thats believable to your character’s personality, but also specific to it. That way there are stakes for the protagonist but laughs for the reader.