An interesting bad guy is essential for any story, but what should you think? Here’s a guide that lays down the fundamentals of writing the perfect villain.
Writing a genuinely memorable villain is an art. You must concoct the perfect blend of character traits and motivations to keep your readers engaged and wanting more. To help you create an unforgettable villain that your readers will love to hate, here are some essential tips for writing a potent antagonist.
Understand Motivation.
Understanding the motivations behind your villain’s actions is essential when crafting a compelling antagonist. Ask yourself why they do the things they do and how they justify their actions. A good villain’s actions must be based on a clear set of motivations and morals, so consider what drives them to create a three-dimensional character.
Establish a connection with the hero.
The relationship between the villain and the hero can be a crucial part of a story. For suspense and tension, you need to establish a connection between two people at odds. Still, there should also be a slight hint of familiarity that the audience can latch onto. Connect the two characters by providing them with shared experiences and backgrounds, no matter how small. This can further develop their antagonism and make the story more engaging.
Bring more than just conflict to the table.
A great villain doesn’t just bring conflict and discord; they should also add depth and texture to the story. Introduce layers and complexity that separate them from pure evil caricatures to make a genuinely compelling antagonist. Give the villain history, nuances, flaws, and personality traits that people can relate to, even if it doesn’t condone their sinister motives. The audience needs an emotional connection with the character, so adding these elements will help give them more dimensionality.
Employ duality and symmetry as writing tools.
When writing your villain, use duality and symmetry to balance and structure your story. Duality is a literary device that uses the difference between two characters or ideas to move the story forward. It can be used to further juxtapose one against the other, i.e., good vs. evil. Symmetry allows you to shift between settings and characters, giving them an equal playing field and adding complexity to their interaction, even if it’s antagonistic, as they develop throughout the narrative.
Explore your villain’s arc and development over time.
It’s essential to explore and understand your villain’s character arc to ensure that their development takes the narrative in a meaningful direction. As you write, consider how the changes in their personalities, behaviors, opinions, or goals over time will shape the overall plot and add to the theme of your story. When crafting a dynamic antagonist, you should also determine why they behave in specific ways—whether due to manipulation or some other underlying motivation—as understanding this will help you create a believable, compelling villain.
