HOW TO WRITE AN ANTI-HERO
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- What's up my friend? Today we're talking about ANTI-HEROES (aka: a story's central character who doesn't mind doing bad things to get what he rly wants) SUPER PUMPED to share with you my TOP TIPS AND TECHNIQUES for creating a conflicted and compelling character who is morally-flexible but also comes around to realize the truth…and transform as a result of his journey. (BUT NOT WITHOUT LOTS OF DRAMA AND TEARS!)
Comment below and tell me: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ANTI-HERO?
Check out that blog post on character arcs: www.abbiee.com/2019/03/powerf...
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WHAT?! A Sci-fi thriller trilogy?!?! Tell me more!!
I think she mapped out ' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' there at the end.
Dimitri from Anastasia. You are a girl of good taste
Thanks so much for the great tips! My favorite anti-hero of all time is Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Although it's considered to be a "children's cartoon", Zuko's character development is probably one of the best ever portrayed.
YES!! ZUKO!!
YES!!
Jack Sparrow and Han Solo come to mind immediately as the perfect anti-hero.
Han was definitely the first to come to my mind. :)
For me it's Han Solo and Damon Salvatore :)
walter white????
Deadpool!
Spawn comes to mind, as does some game characters like Kratos in the early games.
Oof I just realised my MC is actually an anti hero
WHOA
omg me too!
Lol, same
I'll see that and raise you a I just realized I might be the anti-hero
I’m not sure if he’s actually an anti-hero since I haven’t finished watching the entire series yet, but my favorite is Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon a Time! His backstory to why he became morally gray is phenomenally written! ❤️
Author Allyson Kennedy I really liked him at first, but he just kept switching from good to evil without any catalyst after about season four and I found it quite annoying.
That's a perfect example!
Robert Carlyle was the only highlight tbh I can only see rumple as begbie hoping dude would throw glass at someone or pull a knife
yesssss I love Rumplestiltskin from Once Upon a Time!!
Honestly i also consider Regina (aka the evil queen) from once upon a time to be an antihero too.
Zuko. Not sure he counts as one since he turns good in the end but in the beginning of the show and his arc he gives MAJOR antihero vibes
FRR
Such great advice! My favourite anti hero is Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books👌
my favourite is also snape since the first book and movie, you can see how good he is in the deep of his soul
Snape's actually a morally great character, far more than an anti-hero.
I think MCU's Loki is a loved anti-hero. He has a great backstory displayed in every appearance. His morals are all over the place. When his mistakes drive him to a dark alley is so fun to follow how he saves everybody's ass while saving his own.
Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows is my favorite anti-hero :)
"Jacked up cinnamon roll." LMAO!!!
The music is SO badass, perfect for topic.
I think Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows) is a good example of an anti-hero.
AND XIFENG FROM FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS AND ADELINA FROM THE YOUNG ELITES
YES YES YES I LOVE KAZ
Kaz is an anti hero, Leigh said that herself
I thought of him during the whole video
aaaahhhhh let me slide into the SoC Fanclub Section 😁😁😁
My anti-hero is basically an alien genetic experiment that is also part machine and has conflicted programmed orders to kill and protect a girl.... still works XD
Thank you so much for this video Abbie!
Edmund Pevensie is the first anti-hero that comes to mind. Being an anti-hero (as well as his sarcasm and how much I can relate to him) makes him one of my favourite ever characters! #EdmundPevensieForPresident
OMG WHY DID I NOT THINK OF HIM??? also can relate hardcore (plus he's an INFJ!!)
#EdmundPevensieForPresident < that's the best hashtag I've seen in a while 😂
Ooooh Zuko from "Avatar: The Last Airbender" has got to be one of my favorite anti-heroes of all time
To me he’s more of a villain turned hero
I've never really considered him an Anti-Hero. He seems more like a villain who just got a redemption arc
@@notspider-man1225 yes but even as a hero, he's was still the more edgy hero of the GAANG. I think that's what makes him more of an antihero.
This was the same character that got me thinking on how I should make an antihero. But yes, he is considered an antihero.
I was thinking of him when I watch the video
omg your videos bring me joy! i love every single one!
a wonderful anti-hero (but it's from the movies) is loki.
I thought of the Grinch or Harley Quinn.
loki is my baby boo
Agree, Loki is also one of my favorites!
"We're talking about characters you REALLY shouldn't like...but you love"
That sounds like a way to introduce a villan lmao
I feel like Damon Salvatore was an anti-hero for most of TVD... no?
I think Abbie is a mind reader. I’m writing an antihero rn but was kind of floundering. This is so helpful! Also, I know this is kind of a niche request, but could you do a vid on how to make offscreen relationships powerful and impactful?
I'm so glad this video came at the right time for you, Sarah! thank you! 💛✨ oooh I like that idea - have you seen my video on subplots? it's very similar to what you're thinking of I believe: th-cam.com/video/Whs7SRPZ0NY/w-d-xo.html
Niklaus Mikaelsons from THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is an anti hero. We loved him sooo much he got his own spinoff called THE ORIGINALS.
The more you talk about it flyn rider from tangled came to mind. He started as bad you can see how he slowly changes or chooses diffrent path he never saw. I was happy he got a hapoy ending 😊❤😊
Totally agree!
This is going to help my supervillain who turns into an antihero ^°^
My favorite anti-hero is Ethan Edwards in The Searchers. Probably the best acting job John Wayne ever did.
Love your videos, I'm learning a lot.
Rorschach from Watchmen is a perfect example of this. Not only is he one of the greatest anti-heroes but one of the greatest comic book characters.
DEXTER MORGAN is hands down the best contemporary anti-hero I've ever found.
@Godfrey Miti jr He was for most of the series until we found out that he poisoned Brock. Not to mention that he is a villain especially compared to Dexter Morgan, but that's Walt at the end of Breaking Bad, not Walt from early Breaking Bad seasons.
my favorite anti-her is Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom Duology by Leigh Bardugo
Thank you so much! This was so helpful in helping not just figure out which of my characters are morally-gray but how to ramp up the internal conflict and also to create higher stakes in the story. I'm so excited to write EVERYTHING now!
Loving 100 days! Reviews coming soon! Thank you so much for this heartfelt work of art!
Damon Salvatore ~~~
Hi Abbie,
I just want to say I just stumbled upon your channel. I've been working on and off on a story for the past ten years that I have seriously struggled with and I don't want to let it go because it is my passion and since I've started watching your videos, its helped me tremendously. It first started with your video about theming and discovering the stories purpous, I found the purpose thanks to you and now I feel like I'm finally setting sail from land and heading out to the ocean to unravel this story. Thank you!
Man I'm so glad I've been starting to find people teaching more specific and intricate things about writing, always had my stories praised in high school, but seems like since I got out of school, my characters get more and more watered down or vague in a bad way or not strong enough as a focus. Of course sometimes it's hard when mistakes I make come up in videos, but I definitely need really meticulous critique
My story has an anti hero! Your videos are so inspiring and make me so excited to write!!!
I love that I found this channel I’ve been writing a story with an antihero protagonist and I couldn’t find anything on antiheroes being the main character or if they could have a villain antagonist so I was getting insecure about what I’ve been writing but this helped alot.
Abbie...you keep saving my ass every time I'm having difficulties with my plot. At this point it's actually insane how helpful your videos are and this time it helped me with plotting my script! This just made me realise someone I had as a side-character in my script about an antihero is actually my main character. My brain just had a party dedicated to you. Thank you queen!
ur video helped my little girl get an A on her HW about writing & create a story. So tysm! My little girl sends u her love.
Definitely what I need. I do feel like I need to study more of these how to make characters thing, because I totally need to understand more of it. Thanks for making this video!!! ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
LOVE your videos!!! Thank you so much!!! Since I binge watch them, I have to go back, rewatch, and implement the notes! 😊
So happy you're enjoying my videos!! thank you! 💛✨
I loved your analysis of the anti hero. I am still working mine out to understand why he is not seen as the better person of the story but will understand his mistakes and who the villain is and by the end of the second book, end up helping the MC and her family win the war. ❤️
My protagonist is definitely an anti-hero, and I'm trying very hard to portray his inner turmoil well, so this has been helpful
Two of my all-time favorite anti-heroes are Loki and Wanda from WandaVision, (though they both technically became heroes later,) they’re characters are so interesting and complicated in a good way that makes you feel for them and fall in love with them.
This video comes right in handy! Thank you, Abbie.
And by the way, really enjoying your book 🥰
Yay! So glad you liked this video Nadia! 💛 and thank you so much!
My favourite On-screen Antiheroes are Loki from Marvel Cinematic Universe, Theon Greyjoy and Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones and Achilles from Troy. I love Antiheroes because heroes and villains are predictable. It's like they're always gonna do the right or wrong thing respectively but Antiheroes, they just keep us guessing. Btw I forgot to mention Wolverine, Jack Sparrow and Han Solo.
Jaime Lannister is the GOAT antihero
My favourite Anti-hero is Orc (Charles Merriman) from the Gone series by Michael Grant! He keeps on switching his world views because at first he just wants to be lazy and drink beer but when he accidentally kills someone (for like the forth time) he regrets his actions and changes is entire life around.
Sadly he dies in book six in the final battle against the Gaiaphage after he has fully converted himself into a hero. ):
My favorite anti-heroes Riddick (Pitch Black & Chronicles of Riddick) and Xander Cage (XXX)
I absolutely love anti-heroes. My personal favorite: Frank Castle (a.k.a. The Punisher).
Don Draper epitomizes the antihero for me
Can you do the same but for anti villians?
Awesome video Abbie! Anti-heroes are great fun.
Jackie Estacado, aka The Darkness is one of my favorites. Probably not the best anti-hero around, but one of the first ones I really fell in love with.
👏 Killing 👏 it 👏 I seriously love your videos. I always get inspiration and ideas after hearing you explain stuff!
OMG THANK YOU! 💛✨ so happy this video inspired you!!
@@AbbieEmmons you're welcome! Thank you for making kick ass content!!
Giving Abbie internal conflict is like giving her drugs, it's addictive
Well, my comment is not related to video but damn! Your eyes and eyebrows girl! Flawless.
got the Bruce from Flipped reference, yea he frequently is underlooked for this example because he's not dark and broody, but instead just a boy wanting to be liked by everyone.
Like a few others, Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries leapt to mind. He and Carolyne were my two favorite characters - and the ones with the most marked positive arcs. They definitely made mistakes with his story (imo) because they created a completely fascinating character- who seemed like a villain for a LONG time but turned out to be a truly tragic character who you couldn't help but love and then you see he's beautifully set up for a long haul redemption story - but Elena remains his moral compass - instead of in the end a realization that HE has changed and now has his own standards (that happen to 90% align with most people) he lapses again showing that he is not ever truly ok w/o her - unless he's not really being challenged. But you have to watch every episode to really see what I'm talking about.
I soooooo agree with this.
This was great. Your videos are really informative and fun.
Love the choice of music for this video 😁
I say Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2 as an anti-hero
He may be an outlaw, and he does bad things to people (Depending on the player's decision) but you can see why he does what he does. Not everything Arthur does is bad but not everything he does is good either, like robbing trains, robbing people, beating up people just because he can (Or the player can), but he can also do good things too like help out strangers, bounty hunting criminals, overthrowing corrupted groups, and especially care for the pack. After all, he and the Van Der Lin gang are just trying to survive the ever changing world.
This was the character I was looking for. The epitome of good person who did bad things (or vise versa), because of the context of his upbringing. Like many, he was doomed from birth, but tried his best with the narrative of existence that Dutch was giving. Probably my favourite character in all of fiction
My favorite anti-hero is Alice Morgan from BBC's "Luther" (even though that's probably an example of a negative character arc). Next-up is Marisa Coulter from "His Dark Materials," that's a proper anti-heroine. She's played by the same actress who played Alice.
Abby, you're so wonderful. I'm a 40 year old mom of a 10 yr old girl and I'm trying to get her hooked onto your videos. You're so wholesome! Please have (real, not just paper) children of your own someday. Your psychological insights would make you a great mom!
Just found this for help making my own antihero. Loved the video. I think Yennefer from the Witcher would be a good example of an anti-hero. She looks after herself, promotes her own power, but she does have moments of goodness.
Best channel ever. Would you please consider how to write an ongoing comic book series. (One that likely wouldn’t ever have a specific ending). For instance Batman how could there be continuous misbeliefs and themes to keep stories fresh?
Billy Butcher from The Boys is a great anti-hero like what you're describing. Also this channel has the best music (especially on booktube).
Pretty sure my next book will be about an anti-hero. I relate to this type of character SO much! Thanks for the awesome tips!
OOOH AWESOME! 👏 I'm so glad you liked this video, thank you for watching!
@@AbbieEmmons Haha! How could I resist?! It IS Wednesday...! Writer's Life Wednesday!
Han Solo is a good example of an anti-hero. Great video like always!
One name: Thomas. Michael. Shelby.
Although we're still waiting on his aha moment, he's the most respectable anti-hero I've EVER seen. The man deserves some serious respect.
YES
Great breakdown. You are a good teacher.
Thanks for this video Abbie! My favorite Anti-Hero of all time is Severus Snape from Harry Potter! And, I had a quick question. Can you have a anti-hero be the main protagonist?
Some would say they work perfectly as a protagonist!
I may be years late but I feel like a good example of an Anti-Hero would be Sou Hiyori/Shin Tsukimi from Your Turn to Die: Death Game by Majority! I'm not gonna say why because I want people to play or watch the game for themselves! Thanks for the video too! I plan on writing something and I just adore Anti-Heros!
the Young Elites series is the bomb for this. So good
My favourite anti-heroes are either Veronica Mars or Jack Bauer.
For Veronica she’ll do whatever she can to solve a case, even if it means putting a bug on the people close to her in order to get at least the answer to the case or covering up the answer to leave the case as it is.
For Jack he’s always breaking protocol or torturing suspects to get an answer in order to protect his country from terrorists.
My favorite anti-hero is my own MC because I’ve always found existing anti heroes in thrillers to be... dull. So I made him pretty much everything this video says.
when i watch this video, i think "Zuko" is really fit the character anti hero
Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2
One of the best video game protagonists/antiheroes in the history of ever
Rainman. Tom Cruse’s character arc is epic.
Great choice!
The funny thing is now seeing this video title in November of 2022 all I remember is Taylor singing, "It's me. Hi! I'm the problem it's me!" LMAO!
BTW, love your videos, Abbie. They are a huge help!
I recently realized that one of my characters is basically an anti hero in a cast of mostly straightforward heroes and villains. XD She's... Kinda terrible, but she has her reasons for being that way and she does get better (but it takes a long time and is painstakingly gradual, like one step forward two steps back and repeat. Lol)
I'm currently watching Dr. House, analyzing their behaviors and beliefs , I could say Greg is an anti -hero. Nice video Abbie
Tony Stark and Han Solo are my favorite anti heroes. I like with them that while they do become better people they still do have some selfish cynicism throughout. It's more believable that people would not immediately shed all of their flaws even if they become better people.
Tony stark is a Hero...
Are you talking about Tony Stark from the comics or the MCU?
The Grinch.
You literally described the love of my life. Maven.
I have an anti hero in my current work in progress. My alphas either love him or have conflicted feelings. I love it. 🤣He's so great!!
Cassandra from the Tangled sequel series is my favorite anti-hero!
My current hero is not an anti-, but my next one will be!
My favorite examples are: Rick from "Casablanca," Sam Spade from "Maltese Falcon,"' and "Joe" (Clint Eastwood) from The "spaghetti" trilogy.
Actually, in "Good Bad & Ugly," Tuco almost took over the movie as an anti-hero. We know more of his history than of Joe's, and he's kind of lovable. RIP Eli Wallach!
Great choice...I think many of Clint Eastwood's characters are anti-heroic...Dirty Harry, Joe Kidd, Tom HIghway from Heartbreak Ridge, Walt from Gran Torino, and many more.
The one that comes to mind right now is Jean-Baptiste Grenouille from The Perfume 🥰
"It is super satisfying to meet a morally gray character and you think they're really bad . . . but then you meet the real villain."
This reminds me of Ludo from Star vs the Forces of Evil who seems like a villain but then you meet toffee.
Or Gideon from Gravity Falls who seems like the villain but then you meet Bill Cipher
or Peridot from Steven Universe but then you meet Jasper. And then the DIAMONDS even after that.
Or Zuko from Avatar The Last Airbender but then you meet Azula
Or Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb but then you meet his evil twin from the second dimension
Or Jessie and James from Pokemon but then you meet Giovanni
The list goes on and on. I love all these villains, they're so good!
On every thumbnail you look like you are daring me to fight you, but so confident.
Like, “Hey, you. Yes, you. You. Try to fight me. Just try. You know you won't win. Because you're wrong. Because you know I am right. And I know too.”
And I'd love to fight you, but I don't because you are right. YOU ARE CORRECT AND I AM WRONG.
I just realized that one of my protagonists is an anti-hero and damnit if I don't love him all the more for it!
In my story the anti hero character isnt in the main story at first he's not even mentioned but when he does get involved he shows up while in the middle of his character arc hes already been through stuff and you can he used to be a bad guy but when we meet him his morally grey just like I plan for the hero to be at that point he kinda mirrors the hero but while he's getting better then heros getting worst
Here's a great anti-hero: Frank from The Punisher. A really brutal killer but with sort of a conscious in some instances...? Lol ok the dude is a terrible guy but you still root for him.
Another one is Kaz from Six of Crows, and of course several characters from GoT - The Hound, Jaime Lannister, Stannis Baratheon... There are a lot of terrible people in that show that make great anti-heroes.
Zsadist from JR Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood. he's my FAVORITE OHMYGOD
I love anti-heros! I'm curious, is it ok in a series, for the villain in season one to turn good, become a protagonist and in season 2 fight against another villain that he was previously associated with?
Red X from the real Teen Titans is my favorite anti-hero. By this, I mean the one who stole Robin's Red X suit. He is never "redeemed," but there is something to him that doesn't need to be. The side he is always on is his own, but he does have a sense of honor.
question how would you go about Giving them a negative arc. would you slowly change charctristics?
His name was Vageta: A proud prince.
And a good father
Han Solo is a classic anti-hero. One of the best.
The punischer / Joker from the joker movie those are my two favorite anti heroes
The first name that comes to my mind is Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi.
My favourite anti-hero is Venom from the Spiderman Multiverse (or the Tom Hardy movie). He truly checks all the boxes - and the movie was awesome!