Craft Great Villains to Write A Compelling Story
Here are some resources for you to craft great villains to write a compelling story, drawn from the Writer’s Fun Zone blog.
Craft Great Villains
How Do You Develop a Villain? Developing Your Characters Part 5 by Beth Barany
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2011/09/08/how-do-you-develop-a-villain-developing-your-characters-part-5/
– I reference a few books in this article.
Love Your Bad Guys by Kay Keppler
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2016/10/20/love-your-bad-guys-by-kay-keppler/
– An overview of villains vs. antagonists.
How to Build an Epic Rivalry Between Your Hero and Your Villain by Bonnie Johnston
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2019/05/13/how-to-build-an-epic-rivalry-between-your-hero-and-your-villain-by-bonnie-johnston/
– A 4-layered approach with an invite to Bonnie’s course on the topic.
Villains in Literature
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2012/08/16/villains-in-literature/
– An overview to inspire you.
Learn How to Have a Life of Crime: Writing Crime Fiction By Margaret Lucke
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2018/09/06/learn-how-to-have-a-life-of-crime-writing-crime-fiction-by-margaret-lucke/
– She has a book on writing crime fiction: Writing Mysteries: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Mysteries-Self-Counsel-Margaret-Lucke/dp/1551802058/
5 Ways to Help Your Readers Fall in Love with Your Villain by Keri Kruspe
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/04/16/5-ways-to-help-your-readers-fall-in-love-with-your-villain-by-keri-kruspe/
– When you love your villain, so will the reader.
Indie Author Feature: Creating Characters That Come Alive
https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2011/04/11/indie-author-feature-creating-characters-that-come-alive/
– I like her take on developing her characters. Maybe it will be useful to you.
If you need help to craft great villains, then check out the articles above.
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More about the Writer’s Fun Zone editor and publisher, Beth Barany
Beth Barany teaches genre fiction writers, primarily, science fiction and fantasy novelists, how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor. She’s an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and runs the podcast, “How To Write The Future.” More at bethbarany.com.