So you wanna brew a villain so nasty you’re itching for their downfall?
Well, there’s no secret that I spend more time creating villains. They’re fun and honestly it’s the main reason we watch a lot of these crazy films. Yes the hero will win, but heroes are boring.
So now I’m gonna let you in on how to cook up a villain so dastardly, so unapologetically vile, that your readers are clawing at the pages (or swiping madly on their e-readers) just to see your hero plant a metaphorical (or literal) boot in their ass?
Well, buckle up, grab a coffee, because I’m about to guide you through the villainous labyrinth of crafting a Big Bad that’s more hated than a cell phone that goes off in a quiet movie theatre.
First off, Make It Personal.
A great villain isn’t just a faceless entity or a nebulous force of evil. No, no, no. Your villain needs to be a thorn in the side, a pebble in the shoe of your hero’s life. Maybe they burned down the hero’s village, swiped their significant other, or – for added spice – they’re the hero’s own flesh and blood.
The more personal you make it, the more readers will salivate for some grade-A comeuppance.
Secondly, you gotta Give ‘Em A Plan. Not just any plan, though. I’m talking about a scheme that’s as complex and intricate as a Rube Goldberg machine, but with the stakes cranked to eleven.
This plan should make the reader’s stomach knot up with tension. It should be something grandiose, with layers that peel back like some kind of sinister onion, each layer revealing a new level of “Oh crap, they did WHAT?”
Now, let’s talk Charisma. Yes, charisma. Your villain should drip it like a leaky faucet.
They might be as wicked as a sack full of scorpions, but oooh, make them charming. Whether it’s a silver tongue, a magnetic personality, or a devilish wit – if your readers love to hate them, then baby, you’re golden.
Think of the smooth-talking charmers who could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves. That’s your villain.
Moving on, Flaw Them Deeply. A perfect villain is a boring villain. Give them weaknesses that your hero can exploit. Maybe they’re hubristic, prone to underestimating others, or maybe they have a soft spot for an old flame or a pet armadillo.
These flaws make your villain relatable and beatable, which is crucial unless you want to write a story of unending despair (you monster.)
Finally, let’s get to The Clash. The hero versus villain showdown should be like the climax of a great symphony – all instruments blaring, timpani banging, and the audience on the edge of their seats. This battle, whether of wits, words, or weapons, should feel inevitable and satisfying.
Build it up throughout your narrative, sprinkle hints of what’s to come, then deliver a finale that’s as cathartic as popping a zit.
The clash is one of the most important parts so as a little bonus. This is how you can spice it up even more.
- Raise the Stakes
First up, you need stakes that are higher than a kite on a windy day. We’re not just talking about personal stakes (though those are juicy and essential), but something bigger, broader—a threat that looms over more than just your hero’s head. Maybe the villain’s plan will reshape the world as we know it, or maybe their win means a significant ideological shift in the universe. Whatever it is, make it gargantuan.
- Location, Location, Location
The setting of your final showdown affects everything: the mood, the tactics available to both sides, the scope and scale of the battle. Choose a location that amplifies the tension. Volcano lair?
Classic.
A crumbling suspension bridge? Heart-pounding.
A space station with a malfunctioning gravity core? Sci-fi gold.
Match the location with the theme of your story for maximum impact.
- Personal Dynamics
This battle should be more than just a clash of fists or wits; it should be a clash of ideals and emotions. Weave in personal history and pain points. Maybe the villain is the hero’s former mentor or their sibling.
Each blow can be a line of dialogue that cuts to the bone, making the fight as emotionally charged as it is physically brutal.
- Unexpected Twists
Throw in a couple of curveballs. Just when the audience thinks they know how this is going to go down, flip the script. Maybe the villain gains an unexpected upper hand, or an ally of the hero betrays them at the worst possible moment. Keep your readers on their toes.
- Hero’s Growth Reflection
The hero should use everything they’ve learned throughout the story during this final battle. This is their moment to shine, to show how much they’ve changed and grown. Have them use a new skill, a piece of knowledge, or an emotional truth they’ve come to embrace to turn the tide.
- Satisfying Conclusion
The resolution of the clash should feel earned. Avoid deus ex machina solutions that can deflate the tension. The hero should win through their own efforts, cleverness, and sacrifices. This victory should wrap up not just the fight but also their character arc, providing a satisfying closure to their journey.
- Epic Description
Don’t just tell us the hero swung and hit the villain. Show us the swing, make us feel the impact, describe the consequences of that hit in vivid detail.
Use dynamic, sensory language to paint the battle in the minds of your readers. Let them hear the clash, smell the sweat and blood, and feel the raw emotion and adrenaline.
So no matter what you do. Your villain will be the most hated and loved character and when the clash is over. Your readers will fall in love with the hero. That’s how you tug on your readers heart-strings.
Stephen Walker.
P.S. Check out Writing Dynamite Story Hooks by Jackson Dean Chase it’ll help you write in a way that drags the readers by their eyeballs and gets you cranking out hooks left and right.
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