ATTITUDES OF TRAITORS

Every once in a while, a great plot twist shakes up everything you thought you knew about the plot. One of the ways to shake up your readers is to write a betrayal.

Here are seven common ways traitors betray their friends. So slip on your Main Character's shoes and consider adding these traitors to your storyline.

The Reveler

He mocks you. He calls you names. He laughs at your wide eyes as your enemies kick down the front door. He's hated you the whole time and now he's glad to see you gone.

Characteristics of this traitor:

• He may lean sadistic

• He has little compassion

• He might be bent on vengeance

• He's aggressive

• He's probably comfortable with violence

• He likely has an unforgiving personality

What might cause them to act like this:

• He didn't like you from the beginning

• He is fed up with you

• He is getting revenge

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• You add pressure to your main character

• Tension is added to the story

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• You probably will not be able to use this character as an ally again

The Apologizer

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." she turns to your archnemesis. "Don't hurt him too much, okay? I really didn't think you guys were so bad. Just be nice to him, okay?" She continues apologizing as you're dragged out by your heels.

Characteristics of this traitor:

• May be compassionate

• May be indecisive

What might cause them to act like this:

• She is trying to keep herself on your good side while still benefiting from what your enemies paid to find you.

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• Your main character may feel bad for her

• Her apologies may seem sincere, confusing your main character, or causing them to blame themselves (increased tension).

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• How your main character reacts will dictate who the traitor is/becomes for the rest of the story.

The No-show

He's not there to support you. He's not there to laugh. He just sends your location to your nemesis and doesn't come to see it play out. Likely because he's too ashamed.

Characteristics of this traitor:

• He either doesn't care enough or cares too much

• He's likely not a fan of emotional scenes

• He doesn't appreciate violence, likely a calmer person

• He likely has a conscience

What might cause them to act like this:

• He doesn't want to see you in an emotional state

• He doesn't want to be reminded of what he did to you

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• He could later say it was an accident or make up some story

• You can keep him hidden until later in the story (i.e. someone did betray the main character, but she doesn't find out who it was until later)

The Undercover

"What's happening? Who are these people? Why are they tying you up?!" She plays your friend until the very end. She might even ask the villains to let her be captured with you.

Characteristics of this traitor:

• She's probably a great actress and a con

• She may or may not be genuine or compassionate

What might cause them to act like this:

• She might actually like you although she just betrayed you

• She probably betrayed you because she was hired or threatened, not just out of spite

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• She can fool the hero into staying her friend and get more out of her for the villain

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• She may come across as stereotypical

On The Fence

He helps you, then he helps your nemesis, then he helps you...

Characteristics of this traitor:

• He's indecisive, for sure

• He likely doesn't have very strong morals

What might cause them to act like this:

• He can't decide whose side he's on

• He has an internal battle

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• can work great with a morally grey character

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• the character may seem shallow

Regretter

It might be right away, or it might take a while to sink in, but guilt always shows. Others have stuck to their decision of money over friendship, but close ties and good times got him thinking if he should have acted otherwise.

Characteristics of this traitor:

• He has a conscience that is at least partially intact

What might cause them to act like this:

• He might feel bad for the hero

• He might question his morals

• He might be going through a loyalty or identity crisis

• He may have enjoyed the relationship with the hero

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• It shows that other characters have reasons for the way they act and are not solely evil; they are human

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• It might take up too much of the plot unless the internal crisis is resolved

Money hungry

"Who cares about people? I just got paid $50K to hand over the hero's location! I can finally buy a car!"

Characteristics of this traitor:

• Doesn't care much about people

• Wants money, likely respect too

• Has messed up morals and priorities

What might cause them to act like this:

• Their mindset might be "more money = more [what they want: love, power, etc]"

• Or they're just plain jerks

Benefits of this kind of betrayal:

• Shows how flawed humans can be

Drawbacks of this kind of betrayal:

• The character will likely be flat if their entire personality is just $

Those are all for now! Like and comment on which one is your favorite.