forget the chosen one, today let’s write the feared one.
First things first: Every hero thinks they’re right. But every villain thinks that too. 😈
The difference between a hero and a villain? The line they’re willing to cross. 😱
So if you want to write unforgettable villains, you need to step into their mind. And today, I am gonna show you how to do that! 💭
1 questions to ask yourself while crafting your villain 📝
When you are writing your villain, don’t ask yourself “why are they bad?” ❌
Instead ask:
- What do they want more than anything and why? ❤️🔥
- What are they willing to sacrifice and what not? 💧
- How do they justify the destruction and chaos they cause? ⚖️
2 let them mirror the hero 🪞
A strong villain reflects the hero’s values and goals, just twisted. 🌪️
For example: If the hero stands for freedom, the villain stands for control or a radical, twisted form of freedom under their control. ⛓️
While heroes often want to save one person, a villain don’t think small. They want to reshape the whole world. 🌎
3 make them sometimes human, tragic or soft too 🥹
Show how your villain treats people they don’t have to hurt. 🫂
Do they show mercy? Do they cherish a pet, a sibling, or a specific lover? Did they lost someone of them? 💔
Those small cracks make your villain terrifyingly human and their goals both more believable and emotional. 😭
A villain who is only cruel gets boring fast. A villain who is charming, witty and human is far more magnetic and authentic!
some villain writing prompts for you 🖋️
Last but not least, here are some villain writing prompts to get you inspired:
- Your villain has one line they swore they’d never cross. Write the moment they break it. ⛓️💥
- POV: your villain gives the hero one final chance to join them. What do they say? 😱
Happy writing, your Katharina 🦋
Katharina Romes 