Writing unforgettable villains is hard. When we first started writing, we spent most of our time developing our hero. We did not pay much attention to the villain.

That Was a Big Mistake!

Do you want to write an insanely popular novel? Then this post is for you. You must put time and energy into developing your antagonist. 

We’ll show you how.

An unforgettable villain is an absolute necessity for an engaging story. The stronger your villain the more powerful your story

In order for your heroine to be strong, honorable and passionate, you must create a villain who is just as strong, evil and passionate.

We all know, every great story requires conflict. Villains are fantastic catalysts for conflict.

The more your reader despises the villain, the more they will love your heroine. If your villain is evil enough, your reader will cheer when your protagonist stops him/her/them.

What we are going to show you will change the way you create your villains.

Your antagonist could be a storm, a government, or a corporation. The most effective way to do that is to embody the evil opposition in a character or group of characters.

It is easier and more effective to make an unforgettable villain from a tangible character than from an abstract idea.

Unforgettable villains can be hard to describe. So, we created our list of words and phrases to describe a villain. You can get this exclusive list of 700 ways to describe a villain. It’s Free

First Study Unforgettable Villains

The best way to start is to see how other authors crafted famous villains.

Consider these examples:

• Satan from Paradise Lost by John Milton
• Count Dracula from Dracula by Brian Stoker
• Professor Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Voldemort from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Let’s think of things you might look for:

• Character traits you could use for your villain?
• Analyze how the writer describes the villain both physically and emotionally.
• Next, what role do they play?  How do they interact with the hero?
• Consider the backstory the author presents. What turned the villain to evil?
• What motivates the antagonist?
• Another aspect is how the villain reacts to setbacks and challenges. Do they win?

We created worksheets to help you.

It’s simple; just fill in the blanks and your unforgettable villains will come to life.

Three Types of Unforgettable Villains

First, let’s look at different kinds of villains. The villain in your novel may be the environment, your protagonist’s conscience, or fate. We will cover these in another post. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, if you are curious, check out: Four types of Epic Antagonists

The most diabolical villains can usually be placed in one of three categories. Bear with us, because we are going to show you how to create your unforgettable villain.

This is just the beginning.

Let’s look at the three types of unforgettable villains: power broker, schemer, or manipulator.

The Power Broker Villain

This type of villain possesses a dynamic personality, plus at least one source of power. The power might be money, fame, authority, position or possession of a weapon. They dominate and control others. This villain uses their power to get what they want.

The power broker is usually oblivious to those around him. In addition, he feels no regret when he hurts others. For this villain, power is the core motivation. Either they have it and abuse it, or they are in pursuit of it.

If the villain in your story is an oppressive government or corporation, create a character in authority in that organization to show the worst characteristics of the organization.

 NEWS FLASH: the power broker is essentially a bully.

Let us show you some examples of a power broker.

Example: Lady Worthland knew the power her heritage gave her. She entered the parlor with the carriage and dignity of an iceberg. Her thin, sharp features never showed the slightest emotion.

The constable fidgeted. “Lady Wirthland, it distresses me to call on you this way, “but I must know the whereabouts of your son, George.” Lady Wirthland looked down her nose at the little man.

“What reason do you need to know the doings of Lord George?” she said coldly, not offering him a seat. The constable flinched, then his back stiffened, and his eyes narrowed.

Example: The colonel’s head thrust forward like a weapon. He knew he was right. The colonel was furious that anyone would challenge his authority. He would do battle with any man or woman who stood in his way.

Example: In the book “Encyclopedia Brown” by Donald J. Sobol, Bugs Meany is a ten-year-old power broker.

Example: In Harry Potter, Dolores Umbridge uses her power as temporary headmaster of Hogwarts to control others and inflict pain. 

Can you see yourself writing this type of villain?       

We’ve developed a list of               

700 ways to describe villains.

The list is divided into categories: Power Broker, Manipulator and Schemer, and general villains.

The Schemer Villain

                          The Schemer Villain

Check out this unforgettable villain. They are often astonishingly good-looking. Also, this villain can easily calculate how people will react with great accuracy. They are excellent chess players, consistently predicting the next move of those around them. In addition, they are often patient in their evil, waiting for the right moment or circumstance.

Schemers are essentially con men.

They design traps and obstacles for the protagonist. The schemer may be presented early in the story as a good person. Then, as the story progresses, you can reveal their true motives.

Something else to keep in mind: Your main character may not recognize this villain in the beginning.

In comparison with the other two types of villain, this can be the most dangerous and most intriguing, especially if you don’t unveil his scheming personality too early in your story.

Most importantly, think carefully about when to reveal your schemer’s true motivation, because it will be a plot point that changes your readers’ expectations.

When revealed, this villain may shock both your hero and your audience.

Example: Jeff was tall, classically handsome, and an impeccable dresser. People clustered around him as if for actual warmth. When Patricia met Jeff, she recognized a high seasoning of deviltry. Her instincts screamed, “Don’t trust him.” Later, Patricia was glad she had listened to her inner voice.

Example: Delilah had the lazy grace of a cat. Her sensuous swaying hips made married men consider infidelity. A mystic softness filled her eyes. Delilah was good at getting what she wanted, and there was no doubt she wanted Mark, along with all his money. She would beguile him with her feminine charm. She knew how to catch her prey.

Example: Lago from Shakespeare’s “Othello” is a deliciously evil schemer who exploits the weaknesses of others.

 The Manipulator Villain

They are often self-centered and greedy. This villain lacks power and the ability to read people like the other two villains.

Manipulators use their personalities to get what they want. In addition, they are conniving and regularly use other people without apology. Most of all, they are charming when they need to be.

The manipulator often intimidates others with temper tantrums. Of course, their intimidation may be indirect as well. Their diabolical ways can make them unforgettable.

One interesting aspect of the manipulator is that when he fails in getting what he wants, he always finds someone else to blame for his failures. He does not hesitate to make others feel guilty, nor does he care about the pain he inflicts on other people.

Manipulators are focused on their wants. They get nasty if someone gets in their way.

Here are some examples to show Manipulator Villains

Example: Beth hissed through gritted teeth. “How can he do this to me?” Her fury exploded as she flung the door against the wall. Candice cowered. “You said you didn’t want him.” “I don’t! But I don’t want Mary to have him.”

Example: Bennie stood anxiously waiting for the explosion. It was his sister’s party, and Bennie was determined to spoil it. He hated his sister Jane and the natural ease she had when socializing. The firecrackers had a long fuse. He hid behind the curtain to enjoy the explosion. Bennie took pride in his ability to disrupt his sister’s happiness, and he felt he had concocted the perfect scheme.

Example: Amy Dunne in Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” is beautiful, clever, and completely twisted, and Abigail Williams from Author Miller’s “The Crucible”.

Both are intriguing antagonists.

So, do you think you can write a villain like this?

I have to admit; I think the schemer is the most dangerous kind of villain, also the hardest to write. The other two are more obvious.

To Help You Write Unforgettable Villains, Get Your List of 700 Ways to Describe a Villain.

You can download it for free.

What kind of villain do you think is most dangerous? Which do you believe is the easiest to write?

Try our worksheets. Tell us what you think. Leave us a comment. We would love to chat. 

Happy Writing!

John & Patty                 @writingagreatbook.com  2022

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