How to write an unforgettable villain
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Darth Vader. Heath Ledger Joker. Matt Damon in Interstellar. What makes an unforgettable villain? And why are they so dang rare? According to Nick Bilton, best-selling author of American Kingpin — a book about the literal creator of the Silk Road, an anonymous Dark Web marketplace for illegal drugs and contraband (talk about bad guys)… “You can’t create monsters without NUANCE.”Nuance is the elixir of evil. Anakin:
And yet… You kinda… Get it? He got tricked by Palps! He didn’t know any better… C’mon, man! Would you NOT turn to the dark side?If it meant you could SAVE your loved one’s life from certain death?(Is a blue lightsaber really that important to you???)That’s called nuance. And it’s how you write magnetic bad guys. Imagine if the Joker was just a goofy terrorist with makeup. “HAHAHAheheHoohooHAHA… I’m going to blow up this hospital because I FEEL like it!” *yawn* But, what if… “I’m going to blow up this hospital… IF you don’t kill this guy who just threatened to reveal Batman’s identity on live television… within 60 minutes.” Woah woah woah… Is Joker lowkey a bro? Sure, he’s blowing up a hospital… Buuuuuuut… He’s also protecting Batman! Nuance. Nuance is the antidote to boredom…And in the game of writing, boredom is enemy #1.So the question is… How do you create nuance? Well, it’s simpler than you might think (but that doesn’t mean it’s EASY)… In the words of The Big Short Screenwriter (I can’t remember if it’s Adam McKay or Charles Randolph who said it, so forgive me – it’s one of them)... “You can’t look DOWN at your characters, you have to look at them – WITH them.”Amateur writers:
Pro writers know... Every bad guy — yes, even the Voldemorts and Lord Farquads of the world — are the heroes of their own story. So you have to climb inside their head. Look at the world through their eyes. And ask: “Why do I do what you do?” You don't have to like the answer. You just have to be honest about what their "why" is... And then give your audience the chance to decide for themselves. Nuance. Remember Matt Damon in Interstellar?
He’s TERRIBLE! But somehow… You kinda… Feel for the guy? He’s been stranded out there for 30 YEARS, on a mission to literally save humanity — and this pretty boy slick talkin’ bozo from Texas comes in, says “F the mission”, and attempts to take his ship back home just so he can say “sowwy” to his kids.? I’d lie… attempt 1st degree murder… and steal Cooper’s ship, too!…or would I? THAT’S nuance, baby. -Sven “Nuance is the antidote to boredom” Slattum P.S. It’s time to vote on next week’s topic. Your fellow AI-FREE Writers Club members have been sending me secrets all week. These are my 3 favorites. Now, the fate of next week's correspondence lies in your hands... As always — If you have a writing secret to share with the club, send it to my email: sven@aifreewritersclub.com I will pick my favorites, and then put them in next week’s poll. If your secret wins the vote?
Talk to you next Friday. Write on! |
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