We spend a lot of time discussing how to make characters sound unique, describe what characters look like, and craft satisfying character arcs. We spend far less time talking about how we can go about writing the antagonists of our tales, the villains. On July 22, author Brandon Goode taught a masterclass on writing villains inside The Write Gym, and I’m sharing three of my favorite tips with you!
The recording of this masterclass is only available to members of The Write Gym. By joining TWG, you gain access to all of the past masterclasses, along with bonus videos, printable worksheets, accountability check-ins, weekly write-ins, monthly inspiration packets, and more!
Tip #1: Treat your villain like a hero.
If there was any way to insure you had a well-rounded villain that provokes exactly the right amounts of sympathy and ire, this is it!
Just like your hero, your villain needs a reason behind what they’re trying to accomplish and a compelling backstory that shapes their frame of mind for the worse.
A few of Brandon’s questions to ask yourself about your villain were:
- Why are they your villain?
- What do they bring to the story?
- What is THEIR story?
Tip #2: Work backwards to flesh out your villain’s arc.
If you have a very solid understanding of your hero’s journey and the message you’re trying to convey through it, working backwards from your planned ending is a great way to craft a villain that fits your intentions like a glove.
Brandon also recommends working “back to front” because this helps you identify plot holes and the gaps in your (and the reader’s!) knowledge.
Tip #3: Take inspiration from your favorite villains.
This might be the most fun tip of the three! You no doubt have more than one villain who’s intrigued you during your years of absorbing stories. Think back to those villains. Does one (or more!) of them fall into the same tropes or archetypes as the villain in your story? Are there any quirks or traits you could incorporate into your story’s villain to add another dimension to their characterization—or maybe just some extra spice?
A few of Brandon’s questions to ask yourself about the villains you love were:
- What did the author or screenwriter get right with this villain?
- What messages stuck with you after the villain’s story ended?
- Did you feel bad for this villain upon your first time experiencing their story? Why or why not?
