Villains are people too! Well, sometimes. In today’s episode, we’re talking about those characters that your readers love to hate. From the worst of human nature to the best of supernatural species, every reader is looking for a good “bad guy”.

But sometimes, authors don’t always deliver. Either we don’t spend enough time unpacking that “crossroads moment” when the villain chose the path of darkness, or, as Katrina puts out, they’re just an amorphous blob with little personality, motivation, or reason. Being evil for evil’s sake gets kinda boring, ya know? Even if your character is the Devil himself, you can still craft a well-rounded, multidimensional, or even charming villain. 

So, how do we turn your flat, not-so-villainous villain into the type of baddie that jumps from the page and makes your reader scream, cry, or throw the book across the room? 

Here’s what we think:

• Make your readers love them as much as they hate them
• Make your villain memorable
• Make them multi-dimensional
• Make them charming as hell
• Give your villain’s psychological disorder some insight

Take a listen to learn more about how to make your villain a real badass.

Recommended Readings

Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Dr. Linda Edelstein

Sources

• https://www.autocrit.com/blog/create-villain-readers-will-love-hate/
• https://literaryterms.net/villain/
• https://prowritingaid.com/art/843/are-you-writing-a-villain-or-an-antagonist.aspx

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Let us know what you thought of our episode! You can reach us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or email [email protected].

Do you like Celtic folklore, YA urban fantasy, AND free stuff? Read the first three chapters of Katrina’s debut novel, “The Wise One”.

And, if you want to see what Genny’s reading lately, check out her Goodreads review page.