Then you need to understand your villain.
We’ve heard lots about a protagonist’s motivation and character but often times we forget that the villain is just as important.
I don’t know about you but I struggle with making sure I understand my villain’s motives, back-story, and desires.
How do I go about giving the necessary importance to a villain without overshadowing the protagonist?
Well, when I needed this information, a post from Now Novel popped into my email with all the right answers. There are examples and suggestions to make sure your villain is scary as hell.
What did I learn from this post about bad guys?
- All villains have a history. Don’t forget to incorporate it into the story.
- Their backstory explains how they became a villain.
- Show why the villain has power and influence over the protagonist.
- Are they scary, intimidating, powerful…
- Explain how the villain gets away with their devious actions.
- Sneaky, great liars, pretty, convincing…
- Let your villain be vulnerable.
- Everyone, even bad guys have a weak spot, find and exploit.
- Give the villain a story arc.
- Do they grow worse, or better over the story?
- Understand Villain’s motivation.
- Is it greed, jealousy, hatred…
Click the link at the bottom and read the entire post from Now Novel.
What did you think? Get any ideas for your villain?
Do you have trouble writing about the bad guy?
Leave me a comment, I’m dying to hear from you.
Jean's Writing 