I always make a concerted effort to be character-driven with my stories and I believe taking time to get to know the characters really shows up on the page. Readers can sense more between the lines and it just throws the door to that fictional world wide open.
John, this is great advice, especially your single reminder prompt that everyone is the hero of their own story. What a game-changer! It’s making me think deeper and better develop the antagonist in my novel-in-progress. Thank you!
Thank you. :) I'm happy my thoughts offered some new perspectives.
I've always been struck by the idea that no one in the real world truly perceives themselves as evil or the villain. We all view ourselves as good people doing good things, even if the opposite is true. It's part of human nature, I think. With that in mind, I always try to design my characters so they could realistically function as either a protagonist or an antagonist depending on their circumstances in the story.
There's a certain visceral satisfaction in writing villains, and getting into their mindset. I enjoy the challenge of writing somebody who I fundamentally disagree with, but forcing myself to empathise and see their point of view. Makes for a richer story, and I think ultimately also helps me be a more rounded and sympathetic person.
Definitely. A complex layered villain is so much more potent because they more effectively challenge a hero - and the reader - on multiple levels. The stakes end up being so much higher in the story because they embody that authentic realistic POV.
Yeah, there's nothing better than a villain who makes the audience pause - even if just for a moment - and think "wait a minute...they've got a point!"
Nice blueprint. I've always thought many of the same things and cool to see your thoughts on antagonists.
Thank you.
I always make a concerted effort to be character-driven with my stories and I believe taking time to get to know the characters really shows up on the page. Readers can sense more between the lines and it just throws the door to that fictional world wide open.
John, this is great advice, especially your single reminder prompt that everyone is the hero of their own story. What a game-changer! It’s making me think deeper and better develop the antagonist in my novel-in-progress. Thank you!
Thank you. :) I'm happy my thoughts offered some new perspectives.
I've always been struck by the idea that no one in the real world truly perceives themselves as evil or the villain. We all view ourselves as good people doing good things, even if the opposite is true. It's part of human nature, I think. With that in mind, I always try to design my characters so they could realistically function as either a protagonist or an antagonist depending on their circumstances in the story.
There's a certain visceral satisfaction in writing villains, and getting into their mindset. I enjoy the challenge of writing somebody who I fundamentally disagree with, but forcing myself to empathise and see their point of view. Makes for a richer story, and I think ultimately also helps me be a more rounded and sympathetic person.
Definitely. A complex layered villain is so much more potent because they more effectively challenge a hero - and the reader - on multiple levels. The stakes end up being so much higher in the story because they embody that authentic realistic POV.
Yeah, there's nothing better than a villain who makes the audience pause - even if just for a moment - and think "wait a minute...they've got a point!"