As I weave more background into the novel, the reasoning of my villains makes more and more sense. They're still ruthless bad guys, but the reader will understand where they're coming from.
One of the things I love about writing fantasy novels is how fantasy readers expect to see into the heads and hearts of multiple characters. This current novel reveals the plot through the eyes of six different characters.
Another thing I'm enjoying is the redemption of one villain from the first book in the series, and the descent into evil by one of the heroes.
One of the reasons I enjoy the show Once Upon a Time, is the complexity of the characters as their back stories are revealed. Everyone makes mistakes and they do regretful things. But most of the characters also do good things or think they are working for good. Captain Hook is one of the characters I hope is redeemed and perhaps he'll find his happy ending. And not just because he's a cutie.
Do you sometimes like the villains as much or more than the heroes? Do you enjoy writing them? Who is the most interesting bad guy you watched in a movie or read about in a book?
16 comments:
I haven't written a true villain yet. It is cool when one is redeemed though.
I like getting a glimpse into a villain's history. Learning what happened to them and discovering what made them 'turn' makes these characters more believable. It can be a lot of fun when done right. Darth Vader is an interesting villain because he comes full circle (good-bad-good)in the end.
I love the villains in Once Upon a Time! I think they do a great job. And I do hope for redemption for a few of them. :)
I like the bad guys who are fully realized and well drawn. If we can't sympathize with them some or at least understand some of their point of view then they are merely caricatures poorly drawn. Bad depends on what side you're on.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
Hi, Susan,
I always enjoy a GOOD VILLAIN... my favorite in literature is Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series. We finally find out his heart in the end... But what a villainies character through the first six novels.
My favorite stories are when there aren't any TRUE bad guys. There are only people who have done bad things. If that is the case, then a person is always redeemable. Wanting forgiveness. Granting forgiveness. Two of the most powerful forces on earth.
Some villains I really like, just depends. Some not so much. Has to have some kind of balance there.
PS: Thanks for your nice words, I'll still write about my health stuff, just not a weekly Monday report anymore. But the subject matter will still be written about.
Thanks for your support :-)
In my latest round of edits and rewrites, I really worked on rounding out my villain. He's still a ruthless serial killer but his motive is almost sympathetic he wrestles more with what he believes he needs to do. It makes a big difference.
I like the redemption of both Edmond and Eustace in the Narnia series.
I'm also about to go through my YA novel to work on the baddies. I definitely feel I need to flesh them out and give them something redeeming. I did so with one of them, but he was easy, as he's just a kid. I often end up feeling for the villains when they're well written, because I can see where they're coming from. Stephen King used to be especially good at writing a book with an antagonist you wished could be redeemed, rather than killed (Cujo, Christine, Carrie, Jack). I haven't seen that so much in his recent books, though. In fact, I was overwhelmed with the pure evil of the antag's in Under the Dome (the book), and left it feeling a bit bruised by them.
Shannon at The Warrior Muse
Definitely! Last April for A-Z I did villains. Villains have to believe they're doing the right thing, and they're so much better when we can sympathize!
I love complex characters - good and bad. It makes them more human.
Sounds like you're working in some really good twits with your characters, Sue. Love it!! :D
wow that's a hard question---i do usually identify with the bad guys, when you can see what has made them the way they are
Now that I think about it, my villains are almost never human. Hmm...
I love Once! Villains are so fun to create. I try to layer mine.
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