How to Write a Villain That Your Readers Will Love to HATE

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 174

  • @MasqueradeMaggie
    @MasqueradeMaggie วันที่ผ่านมา +181

    Send this video to Disney because god knows they need it.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +13

      I’ll say. They most definitely do.

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +11

      ​@@CelestiaGJ Magnifico from Wish was a great character, who should have been the main character, with Ashia being the antagonist instead, symbolising and being a parody of the entitled gen z youth of today

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      @@unicorntomboy9736 I totally agree

    • @DrawlingsStoriesAndMore
      @DrawlingsStoriesAndMore วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      Disney does need a lot of help with their movies these days!!!!

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

      @@DrawlingsStoriesAndMore I wish Disney would make a grimdark fantasy movie, with an anti hero princess as the main character, who goes on a negative character arc.
      Imagine Tangled mixed with Dark Souls.

  • @StratumPress
    @StratumPress วันที่ผ่านมา +103

    The villain should be a reflection of what the hero could become. The villain should be a cautionary tale.

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

      @@StratumPress what if the main character is no different from the villain

    • @vegpedro7632
      @vegpedro7632 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I dont see this happening in horror stories

    • @StratumPress
      @StratumPress วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      @@unicorntomboy9736 Then you're desperately trying to confuse people to be edgy.

    • @StratumPress
      @StratumPress วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@vegpedro7632 Most horror movies are terrible, low-grade shock entertainment. They're not great stories in the slightest. People watch horror movies for gore. The few great horror stories like The Shining are complex and show how human beings can stray from virtue and into villainy. Dracula is another one. Jonathan Harker is in a rivalry with Count Dracula for the heart of his Mina, and he has to stop himself from becoming like Dracula to do it. Silence of the Lambs is another. Hannibal Lecter is a brilliant man who fell into a similar darkness to Buffalo Bill, and Clarice secretly fears becoming corrupted by people like Lecter.

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      @@StratumPress My book has the MC go through a negative character arc, so they become as bad and evil as the villain

  • @ilovecats-9898
    @ilovecats-9898 วันที่ผ่านมา +59

    Who else loves Abbie👇👇👇

  • @DarksteelHeart
    @DarksteelHeart วันที่ผ่านมา +28

    "In my life, I worked only for peace. Nothing less, nothing more. Now I see that only power rules the world. I will achieve that power. No cost is too great, no sacrifice too sacred. All will bow to me, or be destroyed."
    -Arcanophage

  • @grondhero
    @grondhero วันที่ผ่านมา +30

    13:01 "Most bad people don't wear black trench coats and laugh _maniacally_ in the shadows," Abbie guffaws in a darkened room. "Sometimes the villain is the person you think is your friend," she reveals as she looks away, unable to maintain eye contact.
    🤔I think Abbie is embracing her villainess arc. 😁

    • @GrumpyWatermelon
      @GrumpyWatermelon วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      😂 love this

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

      🤣🤣🤣🤣 villain origin story: you became a writer

  • @crazycoolcj9897
    @crazycoolcj9897 วันที่ผ่านมา +27

    I hate writing villians because they are so difficult, so thank you Abbie!

    • @StratumPress
      @StratumPress วันที่ผ่านมา +5

      Ask yourself what you're afraid of your protagonist becoming if they made all of the worst choices and that's your villain.

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      I hope this video helps! 😌

  • @Al-rn5qy
    @Al-rn5qy วันที่ผ่านมา +19

    So on point, Abbie. Writing a villain truly IS easier said than done. It was only once I tried to write a believable villain, that I actually realized this is hard!😂

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      I love Frank Underwood from House of Carda

    • @Al-rn5qy
      @Al-rn5qy วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @unicorntomboy9736 I like President (Coriolanus) Snow from The Hunger Games. That dude is highly 'flicted! 😂

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      It's definitely harder than it looks! I'm glad you found this video inspirational 😉

  • @KyleighTorres
    @KyleighTorres วันที่ผ่านมา +11

    So true! Even villains/antagonists have internal conflict, just like the MC/protagonist…

  • @ashphoenix3507
    @ashphoenix3507 วันที่ผ่านมา +9

    Yes I do believe what you said is true but sometimes I wonder why do we love some villian that are soo unapologetically evil and just themselves ....without any internal conflict, the guy is just evil to put it simply ""yeah Imma destroy the world now"" . They do have often times a the most charismatic aura and drip. I don't know if y'all are getting what I mean.
    And internal conflict if not done correctly feels forced. Audience catch if internal conflict is there just for the sake of being there

    • @atheer6056
      @atheer6056 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

      yeah only when they're hot

  • @directmessage7678
    @directmessage7678 วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    “All of this! Everything! It was all for us! This is our only chance to make it back home- to save our people! I dreamed of us having to finally feel safe. It was all for us.”

  • @anthonyphan702
    @anthonyphan702 17 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +2

    Top villains:
    • Daniel Plainview from _There Will Be Blood_
    • Alex from _A Clockwork Orange_
    • Gny. Sgt. Hartman from _Full Metal Jacket_
    • The entire cast of _ 12 Angry Men_ , minus Henry Fonda's character
    Every one of these baddies I would take out for a beer...even after knowing all the horrible things that they have done or the really messed up prejudices that they've got. They are the best representation of the Jungian Shadow Self that I have seen on film.

  • @fallabeaufaebelle
    @fallabeaufaebelle 16 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +3

    I think a richly written villain is controversial in their actions and empathizing with them sparks debate.
    imo if you're looking for a masterclass in writing villains, an easy place to start is Star Wars' Darth Vader. Such a fun franchise to get into! And, honestly, the films are popular for a reason. Anyone who loves storytelling, I'd suggest checking out the Star Wars IP.
    Let's talk about Darth Vader aka Anakin Skywalker. He started off the hero in Clone Wars era and to this day remains one of the most iconic villains of all time. Even if you've never seen Star Wars and have no knowledge of the films, you likely recognize Vader's dark helmet. The classic Imperial March theme song is easier to remember than the Star Wars theme itself. Bro literally killed children, yet people care about this guy. Why?
    Here's why. The original movie series revolves around his fall from grace and his last chance of redemption. Star Wars is a story of hope, which Anakin embodies. In the end, the love for his son triumphs over loyalty to his dark master and he chooses to do the right thing. He chooses to be Anakin instead of Vader. If Anakin can be redeemed, then anyone can be.
    I think that's the power of a well-written villain. They, like the hero, embody the theme of your story. They're actively in your protagonist's way of their goals and act as a foil to them. They are what the hero could become if they make all the wrong choices/ don't learn the lesson of the story. Which means your villain has a great deal of power in stressing the urgency in that "truth you want to scream from the rooftops" as Abbie calls it. They are the "so what? why should I care?" that the audience asks. If you don't learn the lesson, this horrible dude could be you- that sort of vibe. By redeeming someone like Vader, we grew to care for Anakin, understood why his friends mourned him, and understood why Yoda helped Luke realize he needed to give his father a chance to choose better versus destroy him outright. This made his final choice to do the right thing so impactful. It helps people who might feel they're not worth saving that "hey, if people can care about this guy saving the galaxy after causing so much suffering, then maybe there's a chance for me to have a happy ending too, maybe it's not too late for me to change".
    It might be fiction, but good fiction can impact reality. This is the power of good storytelling.
    You can easily track Vader and anyone's character arcs and build their character profile using Abbie's templates. Doing analysis like this can really help when you're developing your own villains. Understand how others did it so you can "steal" their techniques in your own work :))

  • @yasaiasazuke
    @yasaiasazuke 21 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +3

    I am writing my novel. The thing I like the most about writing the villain is the feeling of freedom. I kind of forget to please the reader. As an amateur writer I just love to find ways to apply pressure on my hero to reveal their inner beauty. Whether it's by making the villain a chicken and running away at a critical moment, or being ruthless, by controlling the majority of the narrative/fight untill people want payback or simply just listening to a what not to do Abby video and ask myself, is there one rule I could not resist breaking? Is there something so much fun to write that its worth breaking a rule?

  • @LuLookPlayz
    @LuLookPlayz 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +2

    My villain doesn’t appear very often, but everyone is aware of this person’s existence. But it’s also a sort of imposter type of plot. Nobody knows who is pulling the strings but they are aware it’s happening. My villain is pure evil and seeks power and control of all people. I’m fairly early in the book but it feels intense writing those scenes

  • @dreamychocolateone
    @dreamychocolateone วันที่ผ่านมา +14

    I need my villain in my book to be DEEPLY HATED so this perfect!!😆😆😆

    • @thegrandbazaar8565
      @thegrandbazaar8565 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      @dreamychocolateone my main character goes to war against his father because his father kidnaps the love of his life, and during the course of the war the main character goes darker and darker in search of his love, ending in a duel between father and son, with the son killing the father and taking over the kingdom. But killing his father will destroy the main character and set up a second book

    • @dreamychocolateone
      @dreamychocolateone วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @ Ooh! Omg that is a book! I’d love to read it 😆😆😆

    • @PastorErickMiller
      @PastorErickMiller วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I admit every since I subscribed I have learned a lot. And discouraged in equal measure. I think I wrote a mistake with with each book attempt when I see more steps or structures etc. Not sure If I can manage all this.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@PastorErickMiller Don’t worry about making mistakes. I felt the same way when I first found miss Abbie’s channel. I honestly thought that my book was going to be a complete wreck, but then I started showing parts of it to my friends and they all told me that the book will be epic and they can’t wait to read the entire thing. My advice would be if you are super worried about it try showing the book to your friends and see what they think, and don’t worry about making mistakes in the first draft. You can always go back and fix them later.

  • @amaliafrunza7284
    @amaliafrunza7284 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    I like to write my characters this way- the hero's and the villain's goals are opposite, but they also need each other to discover themselves, somehow.
    Or, to use Abbie's ideas, the hero's destiny and misbelief are somehow connected to the ones of the villain- each one will discover their true desire as a result of their interaction.
    In other words, the a-ha moment will have double meaning- one meaning for the hero, another one for the villain.

  • @MasqueradeMaggie
    @MasqueradeMaggie วันที่ผ่านมา +6

    Ohhh, I’m really interested in this topic! Thank you ❤

  • @seankrug4995
    @seankrug4995 18 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +2

    One of my favorite villains is Keyser Soze in the Unusual Suspects. The whole film one thinks the villain is a myth and then the team of anti heroes start dying one by one and the protagonist tries to evade the antagonist but everyone dies except the last teammate who’s in police protection….. only to find out in the last moments of the film that the weakest teammate is actually the antagonist. It was brilliant.

  • @jermainerucker2027
    @jermainerucker2027 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    "All we want is world peace...or a piece of the world."
    -Chrono Trigger

  • @nasyabugg8240
    @nasyabugg8240 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    I was JUST watching your other Villain video yesterday!😮❤ Keep up the great work!

  • @ChBilalMustafaGhazi
    @ChBilalMustafaGhazi 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +2

    Correct 💯 timing of this video.
    Thank you so much Abbie.
    I read your written books 2 to 5 times to get grip in your writing style ❤❤

  • @IkeMastree
    @IkeMastree วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    I honestly like it when they're sarcastic towards the heroes' cause.

  • @SprinkledCactus
    @SprinkledCactus วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    I'm trying to work this stuff out right now! The hero has trust in authorities, belives that they're in a higher position because of their morality and knowledge. He follows them blindly. The antag IS an authority figure. She knows how corrupt the government is and specifically a company she works for and believes the only way to fix it is to wreck it from the ground. She is hidden in plain sight since the hero looks up to her, sees her daily until the reveal. I'm trying to figure out if i should redeem her or if she'd be too stubborn to let go of her resentment.

    • @sharkinator7819
      @sharkinator7819 วันที่ผ่านมา

      So like Bourne before he became Bourne?

    • @SprinkledCactus
      @SprinkledCactus วันที่ผ่านมา

      @sharkinator7819 What franchise are you referencing?

    • @sharkinator7819
      @sharkinator7819 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@SprinkledCactus the Bourne series. They made 5 movies with Matt Damon starting with the Bourne Identity

  • @mountainjune
    @mountainjune 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +5

    My favorite used to be Darth Vader, until the prequels, hearing Anakin's back story gave me a different perspective. Now, I would have to say that Loki in the MCU is because he's conflicted and has a redemption arc, but it transfers to Thanos after Loki's redemption because Thanos is SO dangerous and not because he's powerful, but because he thinks he's right. When a Villain has that conviction in their belief, there is no reasoning with them making them 10x more dangerous... at least to me.

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      Yes, that's so true!! When a villain justifies their actions (and even convinces themselves that they are doing the best thing for humanity) that's what makes a truly wicked and dangerous character 👀

  • @s.m.crowley6710
    @s.m.crowley6710 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Wonderful video. What do you think about the very understated villain? For example, The Operative in the movie Serenity. He really only hints at his beliefs a couple of times and knows that he doesn't belong in the "better world" that he thinks he's creating. He even admits "I'm a monster. What I do is evil... but it must be done. "
    I'm not sure what it is, but something about him makes him one of my favorite villains.

    • @debraperry6091
      @debraperry6091 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      I have a similar character. He does what must be done as a way of preserving the greater good. He's charming and charismatic, a good friend throughout the series. Which makes it heartbreaking when what must be done comes into conflict with the MC.

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  59 นาทีที่ผ่านมา +1

      I think there's a lot to be said for understated villains! Oftentimes they feel more true to life. Even if you don't have opportunities in your story to reveal a lot about the villain's beliefs/background, you can still reveal bits and pieces, like with the dialogue snippet you just shared from Serenity. Dialogue (and the character justifying their actions) is a great way to reveal internal conflict!

  • @unicorntomboy9736
    @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    One of my favorite villains, from Disney at least, is Scar in The Lion King. He is such a well executed bad guy, that has crystal clear motivations and is just entertaining to watch, arguably more interesting than either Simba or Mufusa (partially because of the queer coding that was common with Disney at the time).
    In my novel my antagonist is similar to Scar, and has a similar relationship dynamic with my main character, a young princess who is born with a curse. I am going hard into the creepy uncle archetype with the antagonist.

  • @benprescott8646
    @benprescott8646 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I have come to appreciate a lot of villains out there. Darth Vader, Sauron, Loki, Silco, and Bhaal. The darker the night the brighter the light.

  • @leticiazoldansucolotti5803
    @leticiazoldansucolotti5803 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I LOVE this kind of videos! Abby, you're the best!❤

  • @AL-ALAE
    @AL-ALAE 6 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Just a life-saving video! Idk why but one thing I know is that Abbie ALWAYS uploads MUCH NEEDED videos in the RIGHT TIME. Love you ❤

  • @robertmurrhee6016
    @robertmurrhee6016 17 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +3

    My villain was never a human to begin with, so she doesn't view things from a human point of view. She views things from a spider's point of view because she is basically a spider in human form, but she can assume the form of a spider the size of a car. She possesses human intelligence, but is unburdened by such emotions as mercy, pity, compassion, or remorse. She sees them as weaknesses. She is a predator whose only concern is the survival of her kind. Her favored prey is humans, & she & her kind could potentially replace humankind at the top of the food chain, & as the dominant species on the planet, which is why they must be eradicated to the last individual. She is not evil, she is simply following her nature, the nature of a spider, to hunt & feed on prey, to mate & reproduce, & to survive. In fact, everything she does is for the survival of her kind. She doesn't see herself as evil, she is just doing whatever is needed to ensure the survival of her kind.

  • @oliverford5367
    @oliverford5367 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Compare this to The Closer Look's In Defense of Pure Evil Villains video. He likes pure evil forces of nature like Sauron, and motive less psychopaths like the Joker.
    It seems mostly to be a genre difference. Abbie is more into historical romance, Closer Look comic book and fantasy. But I think regardless of your genre you need to consider the story as a whole.
    A complex, sympathetic human villain can be great. But the pure evil Joker works because he's Batman's opposite - the Joker is the ultimate test of the Batman's moral code. If Batman would ever kill it would be to kill the Joker.
    Conversely Abbie's discussion of George Warleggan from Poldark is good and for that story, a complex human villain works. Deciding what kind of story you're writing and what fits best is important.

  • @Bolt_Zon
    @Bolt_Zon วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Finally this is the one I needed!!

  • @penuellaokwu3730
    @penuellaokwu3730 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Oh my! I've been plotting a villian story and this video has helped me to think deeper and make my villian spark. Thank you Abbie😊

  • @DavidLewis-v4m
    @DavidLewis-v4m วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I had a villain I couldn't write for a story long ago. I knew what he was, a Shadowknight that gets his magical powers from an evil living Shadow Sword, who in turn gets its power from the energy released when it kills something/someone. I know he's on a quest to ruin the protagonists' plans, but he's 1 dimensional; I can't write him. Who is this guy? Then I decide, since the movie Prometheus, to attack his motives. What does he want in life? He wants to murder that freaking sword. He can not stand one single minute of that thing whispering in his ear, berating, belittling, threating, taunting him. He would do anything to kill that sword in the most horrific way imaginable, but only in a way that lets him keep his power.
    Now I know who this guy is. Now I can write him.
    I appreciate so much the greater insight into approaching villains; your insight is always appreciated. I only did part of it and that alone was so much better.
    And yeah, I thought about having him go through a redemption arc. Starting with the realization that Paladins have some pretty cool powers.

  • @sharkinator7819
    @sharkinator7819 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I think I have a pretty good villain for the novel I’m working on. For context, it’s a Cold War Spy Thriller. The villain is an East German computer expert who is hired by the USSR to hack into the American space shuttle so they can take over a satellite network that’s designed to intercept ICBMs in mid flight. He’s supposed to be an insufferable genius and the background I have so far is that he was conceived unwilling at the end of WWII when a Russian soldier had his way with his mother and he’s deeply embarrassed by this fact. Wondering if anyone has any good pointers because I haven’t had time to develop him

  • @TMscifiwrtr
    @TMscifiwrtr วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    I enjoy the Q character from the next generation. He showed up right when you didn't want him to 😅 thanks again Abbie.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Oh my word yes. For me he is a love hate kind of character. It is funny to watch him mess with people but so annoying when the team is on a time crunch. 😂

  • @neofulcrum5013
    @neofulcrum5013 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    I took some inspiration from Stalin to create the villain of my story. Whuch fits because he’s meant to be a dictator.

    • @AisyahHeartly
      @AisyahHeartly 16 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

      I like taking inspiration from the German history to create villians, so it's cool.

    • @atheer6056
      @atheer6056 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      @@AisyahHeartly ayo thats hitler

  • @Tablecloth479
    @Tablecloth479 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thank you so much Abbie! You're videos are always so inspiring and helpful! Thanks for putting so much time into your TH-cam channel! It's helped me immensely! 😊

  • @ChrisNguno
    @ChrisNguno วันที่ผ่านมา +5

    What if you want a villain who spans volumes, not just one single novel?

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

      Have the villain win, and the protagonist/s lose in book one, and the reverse in book two

    • @debraperry6091
      @debraperry6091 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Or have other obstacles/villains in each book, with the overarching threat of the main villain. Like Sauron or Voldemort.

  • @mckenziekay708
    @mckenziekay708 19 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    This is a great breakdown! Thanks, Abbie!

  • @leemansius6078
    @leemansius6078 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I binged The Penguin last night and it’s so good. Oz’s ambition is revealed in the first five minutes and he wants to be loved

  • @GrumpyWatermelon
    @GrumpyWatermelon วันที่ผ่านมา

    This came out with perfect timing. I've been brainstorming, trying to figure out the main villain in my book.

  • @tfgirl444
    @tfgirl444 วันที่ผ่านมา

    6:22 That's pretty similar to what Transformers One did. When the protagonists discover the truth, one learns from it and the other falls into darkness.

  • @jtoland2333
    @jtoland2333 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    You must be reading my mind, because I’m trying to figure out how to write my villain as a three dimensional person and not a cardboard character. It was a pleasant surprise to find this video in my feed.
    Thanks.

  • @Hindhraiin
    @Hindhraiin วันที่ผ่านมา

    Wow This really helped, thank you!!

  • @EstherK-b3j
    @EstherK-b3j 22 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

    Blade from Survivors by Erin Hunter. She is such a good villain until book 5 when she loses her mind and goes completely mad. Also Breeze from Survivors is written really well but I hate her so much!

  • @xxaleksi
    @xxaleksi วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    my villain(s) are not much into play in book 1 but more in the background for until later books for reasons

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @xxaleksi I have a very similar thing going on in my book series. Where the villain isn’t ver active until later in the first book. Then he becomes hyper active in the next two books.

  • @lifewithsky6755
    @lifewithsky6755 วันที่ผ่านมา

    This helped me so much! I am trying to make a lovable but hated villain main character.

  • @MihouLover14
    @MihouLover14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    This I must know!
    ❤❤❤

  • @simarleensodhi490
    @simarleensodhi490 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

    Abbie one video on Best Friends to Lovers romance trope as well please! Thanks! 💗😇

  • @rowdyrooster8389
    @rowdyrooster8389 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    This video showed me I need a plotline for my Villain. Prior to today, he was just a nebulous person in the distance.

  • @rad4924
    @rad4924 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    My favourite villain of all time is Sephiroth from FF7. He's actually very sympathetic and I can't honestly say I wouldn't have done similar things if I'd been in his position.

  • @Roma_eterna
    @Roma_eterna วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Ooh! What if the antagonist/villain is nature?

    • @atheer6056
      @atheer6056 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      im currently writing a novel with a similar context xd i think its interesting

  • @JeremyMBooks
    @JeremyMBooks 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    My favorite villain is Bowser, because he has three sides to him that can basically be summed up as "cocky meat head," "big teddy bear" and "godzilla."

  • @samanthagrace9081
    @samanthagrace9081 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Loki is my favorite villain! Abbie, have you seen the Loki series? I would love for you to do a science of story study video on that.

  • @yellowsub1037
    @yellowsub1037 14 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Hi Abbie! Love your video! Do you happen to analyze villains from video games as well? My favorite is Solas (from the Dragon Age series). I'm excited to find he ticked all the boxes you mentioned here. Starting out as one of the hero's companions/romance options, he is later revealed to be one of the biggest threats secretly orchestrating events to set his plans in motion. He has noble intentions initially but his 'the end justifies the means' thinking made him the villain, sacrificing his morals along the way. He genuinely respects/loves the hero but believes the only way to save his people is the one way that causes the fall of others. People either wants to redeem/marry him or kill him 😂

  • @fräuleinniemand1871
    @fräuleinniemand1871 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Azula from ATLA is my favourite villain and my favourite Avatar Character

  • @Murrayable
    @Murrayable 4 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    My favorite villain at this moment would have to be dark Vader, mainly because the persona he brings is pure menacing and very strong in his belief in the force.

  • @ireneteaches8994
    @ireneteaches8994 8 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Such good advice! I need to clarify my villains' precise goals and fears.
    Favorite villain? Gul Dukat, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

  • @BLynn
    @BLynn วันที่ผ่านมา

    I believe we start out selfish & self-absorbed, so I think we do start out as evil, though good-enough families can mitigate some of that, if not all of that.

  • @SimpleDesertRose
    @SimpleDesertRose วันที่ผ่านมา

    Where was this video 2 years ago when I first started writing my story? I highly recommend 13 Steps to Evil by Sacha Black. That's what got me going with my villains. The villains who was right there in your face got a back story and instead of growing and becoming better than his circumstances he grew to hate everything. He hated having everything he ever loved taken away from him. He was the bastard son of a noble who's only legitimate children were girls. Since he was a bastard his father couldn't give him an inheritance. His father gave him a strong military training thinking he would be of use to him. His father was a narcissist who thought he was too weak and needed to be tougher. His father's dogs killed his pet cat when he was a small boy. He fell in live with a girl and when he out the idea to his father to arrange a marriage his father arranged to have her father marry someone else. He hated his father so much that he killed him as soon as he was strong enough. Then he killed his only love's father and her husband thinking that they could finally be together and she hated him for it. It sent him on a bath spiraling out of control. He hired himself out as a mercenary because he liked the feeling of power he got from it. He could've been great only his hatred and desire for revenge whenever he feels wronged stopped him. Si when he sees the heroine he remembers the girl he loved and finds it difficult to want to kill her. She looks very similar to the love of his youth, petite and fair. When he has he in his clutches he has a moment where he remembers what he felt like when he was in love and for a moment he thinks he's seeing his love. Until he looks into her eyes and realizes that his love had green eyes and the heroine's are blue. Something snaps in him and he hates her for looking like his childhood love. As for the other true villain he is a thief. Wa born a their raised among thieves and knows no other life. His ambition is to be the greatest thief that ever lived. I'm still working on his back story and ironing him out. But he hired the other villain to teach him and a small group of thieves to fight and become efficient in stealing from.merxhant caravans. It was going to be their first step into his journey of greatness but then the hero put a damper in those plans. So in that way he is similar to the hero. He seeks greatness and dreams of knighthood but their goals are diffent. The story is becoming deeper and more complex as I work on these characters. It's almost to a point where I feel if I published it, I would be happy with it. There may always be thing s that I feel that I could work on and improve upon but in general I like I'm almost to a point where I could be happy with publishing it.

  • @novepipps
    @novepipps 14 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    The Beldam from Coraline is one of my favourite villains.

  • @sbonokuhlehlongwane6264
    @sbonokuhlehlongwane6264 วันที่ผ่านมา

    It's Gaston from beauty and the beast, oh yeah Abbie. I entered a writing competition I was wondering to write about my main story or the spin off beastings in the same world?

  • @Joshbloodline
    @Joshbloodline 22 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

    I already have my villain name listed

  • @grondhero
    @grondhero วันที่ผ่านมา

    *Favorite villains:*
    Emperor Palpatine ( _Star Wars_ )
    Juggernaut (MCU)
    Darth Vader ( _Star Wars_ )
    Darkseid (DCU)
    Thanos (MCU)

  • @codename617
    @codename617 5 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Michael Connelly and other crime fic authors use the misdirect very well. Especially in books like The Poet by Michael Connelly.
    In my current WIP I have my protagonists (3) go after a robbery crew for a crime only to learn it was someone else

  • @sicshop
    @sicshop วันที่ผ่านมา

    With your help, I have created an anti-hero that I love. He’s my favorite character 😊.

  • @thegrandbazaar8565
    @thegrandbazaar8565 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    First one here let's go!!!!

  • @Dragon_Keeper_Allie
    @Dragon_Keeper_Allie วันที่ผ่านมา

    Elphaba from the musical Wicked (i hope that counts) and Malifacent from the live action movie

  • @blacksuit4738
    @blacksuit4738 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Something I wish I could do is answer these questions in the comments as I go along just to get a conversation started but I'm too scared that I'll overshare and ruin it all for myself
    STILL though, this video is very informative, your videos greatly inspire me

    • @blacksuit4738
      @blacksuit4738 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Although I can give an answer to the last one:
      I want to make a villain who truly feels smart, someone who's always one step ahead but don't act condescendingly about it, a villain who has resigned themselves to their goal solely to the point where their desperation for their goal has eaten away at the person they used to be, leaving behind a shell that you could swear is them, but not quite anymore. I want to make a villain that, should their circumstances have been different, they could have brought good change to the world without having to rely on such drastic measures, someone truly capable and gifted

  • @johnnyguzman6888
    @johnnyguzman6888 21 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Thank you angel🙏🏼

  • @jermainerucker2027
    @jermainerucker2027 วันที่ผ่านมา

    But in my opinion so villians are better without hearts. Its scarier to be unsure of why they are a monster or such a force
    Humanising them takes away from their effectivness
    I think of darth vader from the original film. A unknown force to be reckon with
    They they showed his back story in the prequals
    I think this devasted and weakened his character
    But also i guess execution plays a big part too

  • @PhantomiEye
    @PhantomiEye 6 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I struggle a lot with the balance of heart and corruption. Do you have any tips and tricks for writing an irredeemable villain who still has a heart and personalality other than evil?

  • @SomeUniqueHandle
    @SomeUniqueHandle 41 นาทีที่ผ่านมา

    I don't think every villain needs an internal conflict. You can have someone that sees the world as corrupt and figures they might as well get their piece of the action. Some people are incapable of empathizing with others. They see something they want and they go for it. It doesn't matter to them what will happen to others. The Joker is one of the most iconic villains around and, in most incarnations, he's more of a force of chaos and destruction rather than a conflicted soul. His flaw is that he needs to do everything in a grandiose way. If he were smart and did things quietly, he'd be far more effective though a lot less memorable. In some stories, it's great to have a villain who could have been a hero if circumstances were slightly different or a dark reflection of the hero, but sometimes the villain can just be someone who enjoys inflicting pain and suffering.

  • @milicadiy
    @milicadiy วันที่ผ่านมา

    "She saw it now. Kneeling deep in the bloodied snow, she looked up to the heavens, seeing nothing but the abyss. It was her journey that had led her there. Her whole life's purpose, reduced to ashes and dust, dead as all her victims. The mother of her nation, the pride of all, reduced to a madwoman with a bloodied white gown and a maniacal grin on her face. In hindsight, it was all too obvious. After all, power was like a glass of wine. It flowed thickly and seductively, but after the end of its thrall, nothing remained, except for the hollowness that was always there, constant as the ruins of empires, for if there was one thing that empires did, it was fall, and fall hard."

  • @nourfourti6029
    @nourfourti6029 7 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I would love to read a book of yours with a villain character

  • @emokekolumban2287
    @emokekolumban2287 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Hi, Abbie🙂 I have a question: Do these tips you mention in this video work on a surprise villain? Because I'm writing a fantasy novel, where the villain is mostly hidden, and creates obstacles for the protagonist through his minions. But he meets the protagonist sometimes and pretends to be her helper so she doesn't suspect it at the beginning that he's the villain. He was also the best friend of the protagonist's grandfather but they became enemies and that's why he's after the protagonist.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @emokekolumban2287 It should work. I am doing a similar thing in my fantasy book. The main villain is my main character’s uncle. And it’s not revealed until later in the book that he is a villain. I’m pretty sure it goes along with what she was saying about make them look like a friend of the protagonist until all of a sudden they aren’t.

    • @emokekolumban2287
      @emokekolumban2287 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @CelestiaGJ In that case, I'm not worried anymore that my surprise villain will be boring or won't work well in the story. The only thing I'm a bit worried now is that it might be cliché that the villain's goal is revenge. 🤔

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@emokekolumban2287 I totally get that. If you are super worried about it then try adding a little more to the motives than just revenge. For example in my book the original motivation for the antagonist was simply to kill all werewolves because he hates them. However I was super worried about it being cliche. So I spiced it up a bit. Now the motives is that he is possessed by a demon type thing that wants to control all the different dimensions, and the werewolves are one of the only people that might be able to stop him.
      Protagonist is a half werewolf by the way 😋

    • @emokekolumban2287
      @emokekolumban2287 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@CelestiaGJ Your story sounds interesting indeed. Thank you for the advice and best of luck and success with your book. 😊👍

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@emokekolumban2287 Of course. Best of luck to you as well👍

  • @lagadema16
    @lagadema16 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I would appreciate some more examples from literature or movies.

  • @scloftin8861
    @scloftin8861 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Villains are hard ... supernatural villains are easier, especially if they're eldritch incomprehensible beings ... 'cause then you don't have to explain anything. Human villains are ... I just can't. I know they exist, I love the ones I read, but ... my brain doesn't like me when I try to do that. I guess i'll have to stick to lovecraftian horror. Oh, in the book, MiLady was not nice to begin with and Athos did not have a brother, although the Executioner who finally takes her out, did have a younger brother whom MiLady seduced to get her out of the nunnery and then abandoned and having lost his faith, he ended himself.

  • @Lestibournes
    @Lestibournes 17 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I don't know how well I did, but in my story in the final confrontation between the hero and the villain I have the villain justify his abuses using the same arguments that meat-eaters use to justify eating meat when arguing with vegans. As a meat-eater myself, it was quite fun to flip my perspective and find myself on the side of the vegans.

  • @queeniemarauderetteswiftie
    @queeniemarauderetteswiftie วันที่ผ่านมา

    YESS I don't have a steady villain in my book and they are all red herings bc tge real villain is the protagonist 😍

  • @hannahheart1254
    @hannahheart1254 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I was wondering if I could have my main character’s love interest become a villain only to protect her from being hurt

  • @DrawlingsStoriesAndMore
    @DrawlingsStoriesAndMore วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    There are quite a few villains that I like and that I would love to see get redeemed!!! And I truly believe that they are very redeemable!!!!
    And some villains aren't even that bad but yet the people who wrote the book they're in or made the show or movie they are in have no interest in doing this.
    And some of these characters I'm thinking of are Disney characters and I think we all know by now that they have no interest in creativity!!!! All they want is MONEY!!!!!!!💰🤑

  • @michaelowen2512
    @michaelowen2512 9 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    What if your villain is not a person, but something like time or the weather?

  • @MortusVanDerHell
    @MortusVanDerHell 15 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I'm currently working on a story with an overpowered main character whose most aggressive antagonist is a child. He is manipulative and selfish - and a narcissistic psychopath who puts others in the position of attacking the MC, while he himself is always being dragged along and rescued by the MC in the hope of inheriting him as soon as one of his ignorant henchmen succeeds.
    (yes, it's the classic Scar-Mufasa-thing from The Lion King)
    So much for the concept - but your recipe assumes that you had to have the villain as a functioning character at some point. I don't really see that with my little creep.
    But how could you make it so that he doesn't immediately appear to be the evil that he actually is?
    My idea so far has been to have a nice supporting character (his sister) act as a kind of guarantor who would dismiss and explain some of his slip-ups.

  • @JustClaude13
    @JustClaude13 9 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    So the villain should be developed as the main character of his own story. The hero's story is also developed as the antagonist for the villain, so they work together to tell the real story in your final draft.
    I'll need to keep this in mind when I edit my current NaNoWriMo project. I don't usually use villains, so I had trouble.
    The antagonist is the mayor of a town at the edge of a high mountain valley. A dark sorceress has taken over the valley as a shelter for a race endowed with an affinity with magic, who have been oppressed and called demons for a thousand years. She's closed down the caravan route through the valley.
    The mayor wants to save the town, which is withering away without the caravan trade, so when a traveling swordsman pass through, he hires the swordsman to "deal with" the sorceress.
    The swordsman, unwilling to assassinate the sorceress in her own castle, surrounded by her army of monsters and demons (not a plan which would guarantee long life), instead negotiates to have the pass reopened peacefully.
    This causes conflict with the mayor, who wants a faster solution, and doesn't want to negotiate with the sorceress. He opposes measures that would have opened the route earlier because he doesn't want to deal with the woman who consorts with demons.
    Now I have to identify the trauma that caused him to be willing to postpone his original goal rather than deal with the sorceress.

  • @lagadema16
    @lagadema16 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Who do you consider of being a villain in your book "The other world"? :)

    • @melissajill6174
      @melissajill6174 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      Not all books have villains, there may be just an antagonist (think Javert in Les Miserables--he's not evil, but he very much causes Jean Valjean problems).

  • @ralphwestley3126
    @ralphwestley3126 14 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Voldermort

  • @chandleralves698
    @chandleralves698 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I feel a little called out for giving my villain a black trench coat 😂

  • @dreamychocolateone
    @dreamychocolateone วันที่ผ่านมา

    How do I show their conflict and arc if the book is in a closed 3rd person pov?

  • @almakhzoumabukhasham7351
    @almakhzoumabukhasham7351 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Best V is Theon Greyjoy

  • @CelestiaGJ
    @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    First.
    Ah not again. Ok second.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา

      I am completely stuck in my second chapter. I have gotten halfway through the material I have outlined for the chapter, but I am only two pages into it. I really don’t want to add a bunch of filler content, but it would be really difficult for me to make the scenes I have already written longer. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try?😅

    • @TMscifiwrtr
      @TMscifiwrtr วันที่ผ่านมา

      Try re reading the beginning of the chapter. It will fire something off and might say, oh yeah, good luck.

    • @CelestiaGJ
      @CelestiaGJ วันที่ผ่านมา

      @TMscifiwrtr thank you for the suggestion I will give it a shot. ❤

  • @LNRyen
    @LNRyen วันที่ผ่านมา

    Claude frollo from hunch back of notredame - Abbie you need to do a character study on him for us!!! Pretty Please🙏

    • @unicorntomboy9736
      @unicorntomboy9736 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      @@LNRyen a classic unhealthy Type 1 energram character

  • @codename617
    @codename617 5 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I think the hero falling in love with the villain is becoming a cliche. If more bad examples like the ones from recent Star Wars projects keep catching on. Like with Rey and Kylo Ren. Or Osha (seriously?) and "Smilo Ren" 😂

  • @AlokKumar-qf6li
    @AlokKumar-qf6li วันที่ผ่านมา

    The world is grey, and People are grey. So, darker or lighter shades of grey make all the difference between an antagonist and a protagonist.

  • @scottmcneely1927
    @scottmcneely1927 14 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    My book about the coming cashless nightmare is more of a man vs. society story than it is man vs. man. There is a secretary of commerce character who is pretty despicable but he is far from the only one and one of many suspects in the kidnapping of the idealistic Presidential candidate. He is also one of the architects of the corporate totalitarian system I write about.

  • @ragingdevi
    @ragingdevi 7 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    "Write a villain readersbwill hate" *picture of Loki*
    ...are you SURE that's what he is? 🤣

  • @DoctorLuny
    @DoctorLuny 2 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    Loki is an odd choice, nobody hates him

  • @j0rd33
    @j0rd33 17 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    but what if i want to make a villain readers will hate that they love….

    • @j0rd33
      @j0rd33 17 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      like they’re the worst truly despicable but at the same time ppl can’t help but love them. like they don’t agree w or condone their actions. and don’t even want them to succeed in any way. but also they don’t want any harm to come to them. despite it all they’re attached..?

    • @atheer6056
      @atheer6056 12 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      @@j0rd33 give them at least one likable trait, trick the reader, give them hope that they may turn out to be good (redemption) but they will not.

  • @DavidLewis-v4m
    @DavidLewis-v4m วันที่ผ่านมา

    BTW, how did you know that my whole NaNoWriMo is about a villain actively hiding in plain sight?