Light and dark, hot and cold, full and empty, good and bad—the world is full of opposites. Without one, the other cannot truly be appreciated. The same is true in literature. We have the Action Hero, a character whose mission is to save the day (and perhaps the world), but the hero would be obsolete without some sort of foe to fight. The antagonist is another character for you to flesh out, and here are some questions to consider:
Who is the enemy?
Determining who will challenge your hero is an important step. Is the foe a corrupted corporation or government? Is he a man who has chosen a darker life? Is he a mob boss or maybe a criminal in a family business? Or, is it the hero himself, struggling against his own dark nature? The antagonist does not have to be a stereotypical villain. Whomever or whatever you choose to challenge your hero provides an opportunity for a unique story.
What’s his deal?
Like the hero, the villain needs to have a backstory. Why is he the way he is? Was he raised into a life of crime? Was he a normal man who was wronged in some way, forcing him onto his darkened pathway? Does he know the hero personally, or is the hero just a gnat in the way of his master plans? Is there room for reform, or is he set in his ways? The antagonist’s personality is not one that many authors flesh out. In giving yours a personality and a history, you have the chance to round out your character in a way that allows readers to relate more to your story. It adds to the reader’s emotional experience as they unravel the mysteries of your characters.
What is his endgame?
This is important to your plot. What does he want? Is it simply the demise of the hero? Does he want to steal the hero’s girl? Or, are his plans on a slightly larger scale? He could have his eyes set on a company, a city, or even the whole world. He may be out for revenge. Some people seem to think the villain is just a guy with a grudge—and sometimes they’re right. But, having an endgame may strengthen his resolve to see his plans through and heighten tension at all the right places in your plot.
The antagonist is second only to the protagonist, the hero. While the hero may be the reason for the book, the villain is the reason to have a hero. And, much like your hero, your antagonist serves as an opportunity for creativity and individuality. Seize the opportunity; write a foe worth fighting.
Coming soon: More helpful hints from “On Writing Action-Adventure”!
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