How To Create A Great Villain
Good villains are vital when writing a story. They serve as a counterpoint to the hero, (or in some cases, as the main character). But what exactly defines a “good villain� And how do you go about creating one?
As for the definition, a good villain should be instantly recognizable and unique. The more relatable your villain is to the person reading; the more human and flawed you make them, then the more memorable they are. And being memorable is important, because people are more likely to share (and be inspired by) things they remember well.
Keeping this in mind, one of the best ways to go about creating such a villain is to (as clichéd as it may sound) write what you know. Using instances from your own life where someone was rude or a bully, or when something bad happened, even if those instances aren’t technically “villainousâ€, is usually the best starting point in creating your villain.
The final step is to take these instances and build upon them, starting with something small and leading to bigger, more villainous acts, thus giving them motivation and depth, rather than simply making them evil for the sake of evilness.