Characters · Tip 15 of 82 · 4 min read
Creating a Villain Readers Love to Hate
The best baddies have reasons, plans and a little bit of surprise.
A hero is only as exciting as the problem they face, and often that problem is a villain! A great villain makes readers worry, gasp and cheer extra loudly when the hero wins.
Give your villain a reason
Villains who are "just evil" are a bit boring. The best ones have a reason for what they do, even if it's a bad reason.
Okay 😐
The witch was evil and wanted to ruin the village.
Wow! 🤩
The witch had never once been invited to the village summer fair. This year, she decided, there would be no fair at all.
Now we understand the witch a little. That makes her more interesting, and maybe even a tiny bit sad.
Give your villain a plan
What does your villain want, and how will they get it? A clever plan makes them a real challenge for your hero.
Make them strong
If your villain is easy to beat, the story won't feel exciting. Give them something your hero doesn't have: magic, money, an army of robots, or simply being very, very clever.
Villain ideas that aren't scary monsters
- A neighbour who wants to cut down the best climbing tree
- A rival team captain who will do anything to win
- A robot vacuum cleaner that has decided to eat every sock in the house
- A know-it-all cousin who ruins every surprise