The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 6—The ‘Cool’ Factor

(Pensacola, Florida; Oct. 18, 2022,) – Killing it with the perfect villain is just as critical to good writing as killing it with a great hero is. A story might thrive if the villain is an undeveloped cipher. The hero’s journey, the interaction of the characters, and the exciting events can still create a rip-roaring … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 6—The ‘Cool’ Factor

The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 5—The Villain Has to Win Occasionally

(Pensacola, Florida; Sept. 23, 2022,) – The villain has to win, at least occasionally. Creating the perfect villain requires writers to develop them as multifaceted characters with clear motivations, characters who stand in thematic (if not overt) opposition to the hero, but it also requires something else. The villain has to win (at least occasionally) … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 5—The Villain Has to Win Occasionally

The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 4—Thematic Opposition

(Pensacola, Florida; Sept. 16, 2022,) – Killing it with the perfect villain is not an overly difficult challenge, but it does require one to ensure several factors are taken into account when building the character. This series has so far looked at two of the five things I believe make a great villain: characterization and … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 4—Thematic Opposition

The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 3—Motivation

(Pensacola, Florida; Sept. 9, 2022,) – Slaying your audience with the perfect villain is an aspiration all writers aspire to, be they working in print, on stage, or screen. The villain must have the same care given to his/her/its development as your protagonist. As we move into part 3 of this discussion, let’s look at … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 3—Motivation

The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 2—Characterization

(Pensacola, Florida; August 25, 2022,) – Killing it with the perfect villain is every fiction writer’s dream. All of us dabbling in the realm of fiction yearn to create a villain remembered in that rarified literary firmament along with Darth Vader, Thanos, Lady MacBeth, The White Witch, and the Joker. Conceptualizing, creating, and crafting such … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 2—Characterization

The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 1

(Pensacola, Florida; August 18, 2022,) – The literary axiom that a hero is only as good as his or her villains is true for a very solid reason. The fact is that your hero is only as good as the villains he or she confronts. The Batman is only but a cosplaying vigilante without the … Continue reading The Writer’s Craft – Killing it with the Perfect Villain, Part 1