HOW TO WRITE AN UNFORGETTABLE VILLAIN

What's up, my friend? Today on #WritersLifeWednesday we're talking all about VILLAINS — more specifically, how to write an unforgettable villain that your readers will love and hate at the same time. If you liked this video, give it a thumbs up and be sure to subscribe for weekly writing videos!

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THE VILLAIN QUESTIONNAIRE:

Here’s the basic framework:
1. FEAR
2. GOAL
3. PLAN

(The fear and the goal create = the motive. The goal and the plan create = the villain’s plot.)

THE QUESTIONS:
- What is your villain’s greatest fear? And what happened in their past to create that fear?
- What does your villain believe will bring them true happiness or contentment?
- What definitive step is your villain going to take in order to turn their desire into a reality? (While steering clear of the thing they’re afraid of?)

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[dawnpoint]

Ooh ooh ooh, what if the villain is actually emotionally attached to the hero?? Could make things quite intriguing.

[ursularowland]

When the reader doesn't know what the villain's motivations are or what they are going to do next, they're absolutely terrifying!

[iviebrooks]

I love writing villains because they are so complex and fun. I like the type of villain who is sensitive, still human, yet totally evil.

[angela]

It's hard to believe your videos are not more popular

[manicmuffin]

Good video, thanks! Side note: "protagonist" and "antagonist" does not mean "hero" and "villain, " respectively. The protagonist is merely the lead character of the book, and the antagonist is the character (or other external forces) in opposition of the protagonist. If your story is from the perspective of a villain fighting a hero, the villain would still be the protagonist, and the hero would be the antagonist.

[ZaxorVonSkyler]

I learned the best way to write an antagonist is to give them an arc just like the protagonist. It could be a negative positive or flat arc depending on the story but it has to mirror the protagonist's arc some how.

[goso]

The most amazing villains are actually the tragic heroes (negative character arc). It is so beautiful to watch them descend into darkness (Daenerys - I wish we had more time seeing this process).

[trishareddy]

I’m actually really happy with my latest villain. My protagonist has two older brothers and the eldest is the villain of the story. She used to look up to him and tried to emulate him, so she essentially is a mirror of him, but she refused to follow their family’s bigoted ways and escaped. When she was just a baby, and her eldest brother was about ten, there parents died and they were taken in by family friends who ended up controlling the three children for their own means. Her brother was a puppet for all his life, forced to marry a woman he despises. He retaliates by becoming a puppet master to his siblings. He loves his family, but not for what they actually are. He loves the perfect image of his family. When the second brother has an affair from his arranged marriage, the eldest brother goes crazy and puts him under a mind control. That’s why the protagonist ticks him off so much. He basically groomed her to be just like him, conniving and manipulative, because he wanted to control her. Instead, she rebelled and fought against him. That’s why he wants her dead. She’s what he could have become and he wants to prove that his way was the only way to survive.

[Unownzone]

One of my favorite villains is Medusa from Soul Eater because she's pure evil, super smart, very manipulative, and always wins. Even though she doesn't have a fear, she's a really memorable villain

[RavynUnderscoreArtYT]

Time stamps: (editing in progress)
2:05 Why does your Villain hate your hero?
3:06 NEVER GLORIFY YOUR VILLAIN
4:20 basic character building blocks
Basic framework: Fear- Goal- Plan

[esthereckstine]

(all the normal people are weirded out by how excited we writers are about villians hahahahaha) But in all seriousness, I LOVE villians. I am also terrible and writing them so THIS IS BEYOND HELPFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Honestly I think the best kind of villian is one with a sense of humor because then I relate to them and even though I hate them I also reaaallyyy like them!

Oh btw, my family started watching Poldark, we got to season 2 but it was getting less and less family friendly so we stopped. I would like to know your opinion though, do you think it's still a good series to watch? Not as a family with little kids of course, but is it worth it? When we left off, Ross seemed to be straying more and more into the darker parts of his character and being an idiot and I don't know that I can stand a main character like that 😂😂😂 I get so worked up cuz I want to slap some sense into them 😂😂😂
But anyway yes, what's your opinion?

[starowlstudios]

A perfect villain would be the one who wants his desire to come to reality. He or she is willing to give up anyone to fulfil their desire. They will make sure that their plan is perfect and they will again success no matter what until the hero/heroine defeats them. 

Love your videos. I can't wait for 100 Days of Sunlight to come out on 7 August. You are the main reason why I have started writing my book.

Love you 3000 : )

[juliaherkel]

"Actually it sounds very fun!" That's exactly what I was thinking 😂

[MikeHendleyArt]

Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. I have my first novel sitting at 65, 000 words and now I have an idea of how I can surface the villain earlier in the story as well as weave in a more interesting back story. Keep up the great work!

[uncleanunicorn]

I question whether all villains must be sympathetic. Consider the Joker. Enduringly popular, but his only mission is chaos, and he has no real virtues to speak of.

[MasDeNadiaEscritora]

This video came right when I needed it! My favorite villain is Loki! I really need to study him more. Thanks for the video! 😘😘😘

[alexandernorman]

I'm not sure every villain needs a fear though. I find Hannibal Lecter to be a great villain. He doesn't have any real fears though.

[lexysartworld]

Oh man, after watching this, I cannot wait to get on my laptop and write tomorrow!! This video came at the right time! My favourite villain would be Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove <3 :) :D She is the best!!

[giseledute]

I want to wrtite a villain right now, omg hahahah

I like "Black Jack" or "Jack Randall" by Outlander.
He's despicable and I hate him, so I know he's a very well-written villain.

And I love Poldark!!!

[isaklagerlof]

3:00 I don't know if I agree. I absolutely think you can make the reader care about and understand the villians motivs to the point that you start to feel for the villian. I don' think "the bad guy is the bad guy" needs to be case in every story. Why can't the antagonists motivs just happen to stand in the way of the protagonist or what if the antagonists actions is for a good cause but the protagonist just happens to stand in the way for his dream. Maybe the protagonist and the antagonist just has different worldviews and their motivs goes against ech other. It's not the same as having two protagonists, you are still stuck mainly following the protagonist as in most stories. Even in stories were the protaganist is the bad guy you're still hoping (or at least somewhat hoping) for him to succed on whatever his doing. I think any good writer can make you be on the protagonists side while still making you feel for the villian.