HOW TO WRITE AN UNFORGETTABLE VILLAIN

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
  • What's up, my friend? Today on #WritersLifeWednesday we're talking all about VILLAINS - more specifically, how to write an unforgettable villain that your readers will love and hate at the same time. If you liked this video, give it a thumbs up and be sure to subscribe for weekly writing videos!
    _______________________________
    THE VILLAIN QUESTIONNAIRE:
    Here’s the basic framework:
    1. FEAR
    2. GOAL
    3. PLAN
    (The fear and the goal create = the motive. The goal and the plan create = the villain’s plot.)
    THE QUESTIONS:
    - What is your villain’s greatest fear? And what happened in their past to create that fear?
    - What does your villain believe will bring them true happiness or contentment?
    - What definitive step is your villain going to take in order to turn their desire into a reality? (While steering clear of the thing they’re afraid of?)
    GET NEW VIDEOS, ARTICLES, AND OTHER GOODNESS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX: eepurl.com/bNxH9j
    WANT MORE INSPIRATION? FOLLOW ME HERE:
    blog: bit.ly/2Kl21m8
    music: bit.ly/2IjPDq1
    facebook: bit.ly/2FS2Ikh
    instagram: bit.ly/2rrgLb4

ความคิดเห็น • 600

  • @ursularowland7461
    @ursularowland7461 3 ปีที่แล้ว +610

    When the reader doesn't know what the villain's motivations are or what they are going to do next, they're absolutely terrifying!

    • @coyotefever105
      @coyotefever105 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Michael Myers from original Halloween

    • @somecallmejeremy
      @somecallmejeremy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      Uh, I think you should know the villain's motivations or keep it as a mystery and reveal it in the third act or the finale of your story.

    • @lucetbw3679
      @lucetbw3679 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thats what i write

    • @avatar756
      @avatar756 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I don't think so.. If you don't know the villain's motivations, it makes the villain easier to forget. In the other hand, unexpectable villains are terrifying because we have this tight suspense of the "unknown".

    • @haloum
      @haloum ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Agree. I think the best example of this is Negan from The Walking Dead. He is THE most unpredictable villain you'll see imo. The show ends up dimming his flame but he was terrifying in the beginning.

  • @dawnpoint
    @dawnpoint 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1111

    Ooh ooh ooh, what if the villain is actually emotionally attached to the hero?? Could make things quite intriguing.

    • @user-hz5hn7ts1i
      @user-hz5hn7ts1i 4 ปีที่แล้ว +114

      The Joker

    • @lylaiscooler
      @lylaiscooler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +93

      THANK YOU for bringing that up. That’s how my story is and it makes your book a lot more interesting

    • @sergiotorres9560
      @sergiotorres9560 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @Kya Brown WOAH.... MIND BLOWN 🤯

    • @jobolds6146
      @jobolds6146 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Kya Brown that would be cool like a mr glass thing but make them childhood friends before he’s revealed to be a villain

    • @shuichiseyelashes3260
      @shuichiseyelashes3260 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      @Kya Brown My villain is the protagonist, but she doesnt realize until when she kills the villain(her in the future who time traveled to the past) she dies as well, instead of different realities/timelines being made, there is one strict timeline where if the past changes the future changes in that same timeline. If that makes sense

  • @iviebrooks7768
    @iviebrooks7768 5 ปีที่แล้ว +427

    I love writing villains because they are so complex and fun. I like the type of villain who is sensitive, still human, yet totally evil.

  • @ZaxorVonSkyler
    @ZaxorVonSkyler 4 ปีที่แล้ว +466

    I learned the best way to write an antagonist is to give them an arc just like the protagonist. It could be a negative positive or flat arc depending on the story but it has to mirror the protagonist's arc some how.

    • @saraoln
      @saraoln 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Wow, thanks for saying that. I'll think about it XD.

    • @jobolds6146
      @jobolds6146 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      Yes I agree completely a great villan should reflect the craziest complexities of humanity because just being plain evil is stale but having a character who is the hero of his own story and has insecurities and flaws and actually shows traits that even the main protagonist displays can be really great

    • @mshaqed2538
      @mshaqed2538 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@jobolds6146 It really depends. Pure evil villains can be just as good as complex one, they just need more raw charisma, a compelling presence and to just give the reader\viewer one hell of a show.

    • @kidcircuit1955
      @kidcircuit1955 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Tomura Shigaraki

  • @manicmuffin
    @manicmuffin 5 ปีที่แล้ว +600

    Good video, thanks! Side note: "protagonist" and "antagonist" does not mean "hero" and "villain," respectively. The protagonist is merely the lead character of the book, and the antagonist is the character (or other external forces) in opposition of the protagonist. If your story is from the perspective of a villain fighting a hero, the villain would still be the protagonist, and the hero would be the antagonist.

    • @KitKat_-up4dm
      @KitKat_-up4dm 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Artemis Fowl book 1 comes to mind...

    • @ASmartNameForMe
      @ASmartNameForMe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@KitKat_-up4dm death note and breaking bad too

    • @destiny-jo6td
      @destiny-jo6td 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@ASmartNameForMe death note for sure.

    • @isthisatitleforayoutubecha3035
      @isthisatitleforayoutubecha3035 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      They would just be considered a Villain Protagonist like Rick from Rick and Morty he's the main protagonist but is a narcissistic manipulative and abusive murderer.

    • @jacindaellison3363
      @jacindaellison3363 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      And the protagonist from Catch Me if You Can.

  • @goso03
    @goso03 4 ปีที่แล้ว +372

    The most amazing villains are actually the tragic heroes (negative character arc). It is so beautiful to watch them descend into darkness (Daenerys - I wish we had more time seeing this process).

    • @katnissgrace1017
      @katnissgrace1017 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      I think watching a hero slip down into dangerous territory of morally grey and even dark choices is interesting. You can’t have a good redemption arc without that.

    • @koelk7603
      @koelk7603 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Exactly everything in GoT was done in so much hurry. Danny's arc would have been really great if execution was done in better way not like d way suddenly rushed up.

    • @arturosandovalsaito2704
      @arturosandovalsaito2704 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      In some of my stories, one of the villains is a character who became an abomination after a scientific test drive goes horribly wrong. Another villain I made is a wolf who was forced to learn how to kill animals by the main antagonist after getting kicked out of the pack for hesitating on killing their prey. One thing we learn about tragic villains in my opinion is that they use to be regular or even kindhearted people and one bad day or one horrifying event can affect these characters negatively to the point that we start watching them succumb into the dark side.

    • @melissas9193
      @melissas9193 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Breaking bad tv series the best

    • @shinmalestat9272
      @shinmalestat9272 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ah! But we still have the Winds of Winter to come to see Martin's true vision.

  • @angela65789
    @angela65789 5 ปีที่แล้ว +335

    It's hard to believe your videos are not more popular

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      wow thank you!! 😊💛

    • @user-ir3ir1sr2b
      @user-ir3ir1sr2b 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      YES I LOVE HOW SHE SPEAKS¡

    • @elinannestad5320
      @elinannestad5320 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yes. The best! An amazing teacher.

  • @Unownzone
    @Unownzone 3 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    One of my favorite villains is Medusa from Soul Eater because she's pure evil, super smart, very manipulative, and always wins. Even though she doesn't have a fear, she's a really memorable villain

  • @juliaherkel8051
    @juliaherkel8051 5 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    "Actually it sounds very fun!" That's exactly what I was thinking 😂

  • @trishareddy2570
    @trishareddy2570 4 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    I’m actually really happy with my latest villain. My protagonist has two older brothers and the eldest is the villain of the story. She used to look up to him and tried to emulate him, so she essentially is a mirror of him, but she refused to follow their family’s bigoted ways and escaped. When she was just a baby, and her eldest brother was about ten, there parents died and they were taken in by family friends who ended up controlling the three children for their own means. Her brother was a puppet for all his life, forced to marry a woman he despises. He retaliates by becoming a puppet master to his siblings. He loves his family, but not for what they actually are. He loves the perfect image of his family. When the second brother has an affair from his arranged marriage, the eldest brother goes crazy and puts him under a mind control. That’s why the protagonist ticks him off so much. He basically groomed her to be just like him, conniving and manipulative, because he wanted to control her. Instead, she rebelled and fought against him. That’s why he wants her dead. She’s what he could have become and he wants to prove that his way was the only way to survive.

    • @minart_animates6567
      @minart_animates6567 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      That’s amazing!! 😀😀😃😃😃😃😃😄😄😄😄😁😁😁😁😆😆😆😆😆😆

    • @Idontevenusethisshit_766
      @Idontevenusethisshit_766 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      This is rlly good damn

    • @Mii..
      @Mii.. ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Bro thats a fire villain arc right there. Really nice.

    • @Chirpy-eo8jq
      @Chirpy-eo8jq ปีที่แล้ว +1

      HOly Heck that's amazing!!!

    • @johntabler349
      @johntabler349 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Excellent set up! Period piece?

  • @starowlstudios4147
    @starowlstudios4147 5 ปีที่แล้ว +91

    A perfect villain would be the one who wants his desire to come to reality. He or she is willing to give up anyone to fulfil their desire. They will make sure that their plan is perfect and they will again success no matter what until the hero/heroine defeats them.
    Love your videos. I can't wait for 100 Days of Sunlight to come out on 7 August. You are the main reason why I have started writing my book.
    Love you 3000 : )

  • @mynecessaryprogram
    @mynecessaryprogram 5 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    You make me want to write again 😩

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      I'm so glad! 💛

  • @uncleanunicorn4571
    @uncleanunicorn4571 4 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    I question whether all villains must be sympathetic. Consider the Joker. Enduringly popular, but his only mission is chaos, and he has no real virtues to speak of.

    • @mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566
      @mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Of course not.

    • @arminc4658
      @arminc4658 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Joker's only mission is not chaos. He actually has a point to make and a clear motivation. The Joker is good not because of his pure evilness or because of his chaos, he is good because of his beliefs and philosophies. His belief that all people deep down are evil, and all it takes is a push, perfectly opposes Batman's faith in the good of the people of Gotham. Joker wants to prove that his worldview is the correct one, and that's what drives his character.
      Without this parallel, the Joker would not work.

    • @glitchtastic8889
      @glitchtastic8889 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I watched another video on this. The reason why the joker works as a villain is because deep inside we all wonder what the world would be like if we stood up to its rules, there's a part of us that empathizes with standing against "corrupt" authority, or any kind of authority for that matter
      you don't have to agree with a villain's actions or even sympathize with them, so long as there's a part of you that relates to them or even a deep curiosity of how they could change and affect the world they live in, you'll be drawn to the story

    • @johntabler349
      @johntabler349 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      There are numerous iterations of the joker I think the Dark Knight version is perfect example of this basic formula minus a backstory

    • @justinsellers9402
      @justinsellers9402 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Buffalo Bill/Jame Gum from Silence of the Lambs was not at all sympathetic but was extraordinary.

  • @MasDeNadiaEscritora
    @MasDeNadiaEscritora 5 ปีที่แล้ว +165

    This video came right when I needed it! My favorite villain is Loki! I really need to study him more. Thanks for the video! 😘😘😘

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      I'm so glad you liked the video! Thanks so much ❤️

    • @claire98
      @claire98 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Loki's my favorite too. I think I almost like him too much

    • @onyxtheowl24
      @onyxtheowl24 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I actually looked up this video so *I* could analyze a character deeper.

    • @ZaxorVonSkyler
      @ZaxorVonSkyler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I prefer Thanos since Loki isn't a villian half the time.

    • @zeinaelwy
      @zeinaelwy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yes Loki is awesome!

  • @chloepedraza280
    @chloepedraza280 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    My favorite is the villain that gets a redemption arc. It’s so good

  • @MikeHendleyArt
    @MikeHendleyArt 5 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. I have my first novel sitting at 65,000 words and now I have an idea of how I can surface the villain earlier in the story as well as weave in a more interesting back story. Keep up the great work!

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I'm so glad you found this video helpful, Mike! Thank you so much for watching! 😊

  • @Puff_the_Buff
    @Puff_the_Buff ปีที่แล้ว +6

    You can still write an incredible villain who knows he is evil though. That is insanely compelling and interesting and we need to see more of those villains.

    • @djpunyer8762
      @djpunyer8762 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's great, but unless it's a horror story, we have to see the build up or it becomes ridiculous. Consider Walter White. His initial motive is to make quick money to provide for his family when he dies of cancer, but over time he becomes more and more evil, and he enjoys it but still doesn't consider himself a bad person. That is, until the end of Season 4 when he realises he is evil and then he embraces it.
      It wouldn't work (outside of the horror genre) if we were introduced to a villain who knows he is evil, but doesn't care about it, without knowing why.

    • @Puff_the_Buff
      @Puff_the_Buff ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@djpunyer8762 Im saying a villain doesnt have to be sympathetic to be likeable. Like say Frieza from Dragon Ball Z.

  • @RavynUnderscoreArtYT
    @RavynUnderscoreArtYT 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Time stamps: (editing in progress)
    2:05 Why does your Villain hate your hero?
    3:06 NEVER GLORIFY YOUR VILLAIN
    4:20 basic character building blocks
    Basic framework: Fear- Goal- Plan

  • @oceanwaters6048
    @oceanwaters6048 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    When it comes to hero/villain relationships and how they interact, my fav show is Once Upon A Time. It does so well with what makes a villain a villain and a hero a hero. It’s just done so well. Regina’s whole character is AMAZING

  • @lylaiscooler
    @lylaiscooler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Omg when she said to make a good character and then destroy them I was like; ok now this is fun
    But the sad thing is that I already did it

  • @esthereckstine2532
    @esthereckstine2532 5 ปีที่แล้ว +140

    VILLIANS!!!!!!!!!!! (all the normal people are weirded out by how excited we writers are about villians hahahahaha) But in all seriousness, I LOVE villians. I am also terrible and writing them so THIS IS BEYOND HELPFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH.
    Honestly I think the best kind of villian is one with a sense of humor because then I relate to them and even though I hate them I also reaaallyyy like them!
    Oh btw, my family started watching Poldark, we got to season 2 but it was getting less and less family friendly so we stopped. I would like to know your opinion though, do you think it's still a good series to watch? Not as a family with little kids of course, but is it worth it? When we left off, Ross seemed to be straying more and more into the darker parts of his character and being an idiot and I don't know that I can stand a main character like that 😂😂😂 I get so worked up cuz I want to slap some sense into them 😂😂😂
    But anyway yes, what's your opinion?

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      A VILLAIN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR < yes. :') I'm so glad you liked this video, Esther!! And hehe yes, Poldark… I wouldn't call it family friendly necessarily, especially after season 2. I would say it's like PG-13. AND OH MY GOODNESS YES ROSS IS SO FRUSTRATING I COULD SMACK HIM. He definitely does stray (a lot) but I did like how (at least in seasons 1 and 2) he does realize what matters in the end and what a fool he's been about many things. But honestly going into season 3 and 4 the writing goes REALLY downhill and all the characters start acting out of character and the whole thing gets pretty dragged out. So you've probably seen the best of it HAHA 😂

    • @RoseCadenza
      @RoseCadenza 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      People usually like the villains more because writers create more backstory ad internal relations for them. That's what I've been told. Plus, they're just cool!

    • @featherquill9476
      @featherquill9476 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AbbieEmmons Never watched the show but I saw according to Google it was a reboot of the older version on Masterpiece or something, perhaps that writing is better? Cheers!

  • @lexysartworld
    @lexysartworld 5 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Oh man, after watching this, I cannot wait to get on my laptop and write tomorrow!! This video came at the right time! My favourite villain would be Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      wow I'm so happy this video inspired you! Thank you, Alexandria! 😊

  • @FunkyLikeFeathers
    @FunkyLikeFeathers 5 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    This was EXACTLY the video I needed! Thank you! I've been struggling with my villain, but after watching this and answering all of the questions, I actually have an awesome villain completely fleshed out with a backstory and everything!!! Thank you!!!

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Wow, that's so awesome!! I'm so glad this video inspired and helped you develop your villain! 💛✨

  • @stephaniequinn6703
    @stephaniequinn6703 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    My favorite literary villain is The Darkling in Leigh Bardugo's Grishverse series. Just love him!

  • @alexandernorman5337
    @alexandernorman5337 4 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    I'm not sure every villain needs a fear though. I find Hannibal Lecter to be a great villain. He doesn't have any real fears though.

    • @mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566
      @mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Abbie seems to think that every character's main flaw is purely ideological, and rooted in fear. This isn't the case. Stories are about the choices that characters make, and villains are characters who make a lot of morally wrong choices. That is the only thing that is essential to all villainous characters.

    • @insimniak
      @insimniak 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If you'll read the third Tomas Harris' book about Lecter (Hannibal) you'll find out his fears, conflicts, backstory etc.

  • @juparula
    @juparula 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    "And we'll just have to wait until season 5 to see if Ross finally pushes George off a cliff." Well there is a cliff involved, but Ross isn't the one who makes him start to fall..... Season 5 George just brings his story and character to a whole new level. Jack Farthing is absolutely incredible

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      YES! seriously one of the best if not THE best actor in the show... damn

    • @juparula
      @juparula 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AbbieEmmons You said it!!

  • @mariepigen08
    @mariepigen08 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Varian from Rapunzel is literally such a beyond words amazing villain. I can go on for hours explaining why that is, but I won't, cause I really don't have time for that.

  • @LochlainnMacLock
    @LochlainnMacLock 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    “Everyone starts out good.”
    That would be an amazing untruth for a character to discover.

  • @isaklagerlof9945
    @isaklagerlof9945 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    3:00 I don't know if I agree. I absolutely think you can make the reader care about and understand the villians motivs to the point that you start to feel for the villian. I don' think "the bad guy is the bad guy" needs to be case in every story. Why can't the antagonists motivs just happen to stand in the way of the protagonist or what if the antagonists actions is for a good cause but the protagonist just happens to stand in the way for his dream. Maybe the protagonist and the antagonist just has different worldviews and their motivs goes against ech other. It's not the same as having two protagonists, you are still stuck mainly following the protagonist as in most stories. Even in stories were the protaganist is the bad guy you're still hoping (or at least somewhat hoping) for him to succed on whatever his doing. I think any good writer can make you be on the protagonists side while still making you feel for the villian.

  • @MultiTaylorswift1234
    @MultiTaylorswift1234 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I’m so inspired to write out the character profile for my villain now.

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Awesome!! Thanks so much for watching! 💛

  • @ViceN53X
    @ViceN53X 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    One of my favorite villains is Hal from Megamind. This is the kind of villain who has quite a realistically creepy obsession behind Roxanne. This is one of those "Nice Guys" who think that because he's nice to a girl he likes, the girl owes him affection in return for being "Nice". But not only is this misbelief stupid, but Hal's not really a nice guy. He basically wants Roxanne just for sex. That's it. And I like this villain because it's what we see in other certain guys in real life. The "Incels" as we call them. Mostly high schoolers back in my day. So seeing Hal getting defeated by Megamind was really satisfying.

  • @MilanElan
    @MilanElan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    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!

  • @giseledute
    @giseledute 5 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I want to wrtite a villain right now, omg hahahah
    I like "Black Jack" or "Jack Randall" by Outlander.
    He's despicable and I hate him, so I know he's a very well-written villain.
    And I love Poldark!!!

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      YAY A FELLOW POLDARK FAN *high fives * I'm so glad this video inspired you, Gisele!

    • @ssundaram1686
      @ssundaram1686 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Gisele Dute I know I'm a great villain haha.

  • @heathercampbell6059
    @heathercampbell6059 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I don't know, I've just known too many people who don't care if they're the hero of their own story or not. Who actually sometimes embrace not being the hero of their own story. I do think it makes for great villains, but I don't think they're the only villains out there. Sometimes a good old pure evil villain is what the story needs. But sometimes you need something you want and I think this is a great Place to start for that. thank you

  • @kryskestrel
    @kryskestrel 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love these writing videos Abbie!!! I'm learning so much - thanks for putting all of these out!

  • @astevenswrites
    @astevenswrites 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I know I'm a few years late to the party, but I have been LOVING all your content and watching a good majority of it. After watching this one, I think I've pretty much nailed all the points you brought up, so that is reaffirming. But, I will continue to keep everything in mind as I develop them further. Thanks Abbie!

  • @DreamBelief
    @DreamBelief 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The fact that you said they are inherently evil right at the start was quite surprising. There are many great villains who aren't evil. In fact, that's often a good way to create a truly terrifying villain. If you're looking at villains through the lens that they're inherently evil you're looking at them in a very shallow and simplistic manner. That's the old black and white method of character creation. We've moved past that. It doesn't even hold up in reality either. Actions can be evil (although even many actions are a grey area viewed as evil by some, and perfectly fine by others. Think about real life and you'll come up with many examples)

  • @zeinaelwy
    @zeinaelwy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Call me cliche or regular but I love Voldemort his motivation and desire and internal conflict is spot on!

  • @vibhuagnihotri1726
    @vibhuagnihotri1726 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I needed this. I needed this so damn much. I literally halfway crealated my villain jotting down notes while watching this. This was the first video of yours I've ever watched. I'm addicted. 💚💜

  • @renatakr754
    @renatakr754 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is so well spoken and clear! I have not watched all of your videos but it already helps me so much!

  • @christopherdale1745
    @christopherdale1745 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog delightfully flips the hero/villian dynamic.

  • @lupitas-obrien1782
    @lupitas-obrien1782 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Roy Batty from the original Bladerunner. You feel attracted by him horrified compassionate and terrified. Great villain.

  • @julaisha5368
    @julaisha5368 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Binging through all your Videos while working on my own YA Romance. While knowing about plot structure and outline basics those comments/explanations here and there and examples are something that really help and motivate me. I'm sort of using those videos for motivation and for enhancing my novel. Thank you so so so much.

  • @auqajenkins3411
    @auqajenkins3411 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much! I don’t like using any novel-writing tutorials except for yours!

  • @danielfields4841
    @danielfields4841 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Been watching your videos to think of ideas for a light novel or comic book and I have to say they have been really helpful, so thanks for that. Also my favourite villain is probably dio brando purely because of how twisted his beliefs are when it comes to how he views others as naturally inferior to him and how he tricks others to get to his own desires

  • @aasiyaali9509
    @aasiyaali9509 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video came out at the perfect time! I really needed this because I'm currently writing the backstory for my novel's villain. Amazing video😍😍😍

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm so glad this came at the right time for you! 😊 thanks so much for watching!

  • @artwithlilix5067
    @artwithlilix5067 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    my favourite villain of all time is Loki and Bellatrix cause their author gave them such a great backstory that makes me love them. Plus can you how to make a good anti-hero in the story ?

  • @johntabler349
    @johntabler349 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is helpful, first time I watched it I returned to my story and did profiles on all the villains for my story, which was a challenge because ultimately the "villain" is actually a dark conspiracy committed to misdirection and subterfuge each member of the conspiracy has unique motivation from sadism to a desire to change the world for the better the challenge is you don't know who all the villains are until the final act

  • @randommeowthekitty6482
    @randommeowthekitty6482 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love creating villain characters even if they don't necessarily have a story attached to them, so this should be a very fun video to watch!

  • @IxiaRayne
    @IxiaRayne 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Not quite on the topic of villains (mine is a fake friend - I SO look forward for the heartbreak that I get to write) but on the video itself.
    I LOVE what you did with your audio. Paused at the right moment and pulled through until the end. I enjoyed it! ♥

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      oooh a fake friend, that's good!! 😍 and omg thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

  • @109367
    @109367 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Step One: Give them a badass theme song! ... no? xD

  • @FreelanceProtagonist
    @FreelanceProtagonist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Favourite villain ever - Archibald "Archie" Cunningham in Rob Roy. When he died at the end, the entire audience stood up and started clapping. I'd never seen a reaction like that in any movie theater ever.

  • @jonathanmarks3112
    @jonathanmarks3112 ปีที่แล้ว

    5:13 Prepping a creative writing class on characters, especially villains, and watched this video JUST for this point. Thanks so much- I needed the reminder!

  • @yellowmouse8107
    @yellowmouse8107 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love it when you can relate to a villain like they want something you know you'd want if you were pushed further

  • @bendavies8881
    @bendavies8881 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am attempting my first novel, and having a bit of fun subtly planting the idea, that the villain might just have been right.

  • @flimsyfun4960
    @flimsyfun4960 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    oh thank you for this vid! I'm trying to find some good videos that can help me make my villain a good villain for my D&D campaign and how I can make her more understandable, and this definitely helped!

  • @dellaxrose
    @dellaxrose 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are so aesthetic and this video was so helpful thank u

  • @JBLesel
    @JBLesel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm working on a YA epic fantasy, book 2, where a side character in book 1 becomes a villain in book 2, and so there's a lot of inner conflict from her POV which is fun. Your video has been a nice inspiration to keep me on track with her, I'm doing okay in this process (while I procrastinate on the actual writing) ;)

  • @curiouswords
    @curiouswords 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great advice, thoughts, and methodology for villains. Also, the excellent series on plotting is a MUST SEE! Thanks Abbie! You DA [WO]MAN!!!!

  • @naomiluedi7994
    @naomiluedi7994 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you so much! I still need a villain for a tv show that I'm waiting and this was pretty helpful! Also, my favorite villain is Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls! Love that triangle!

  • @SillyInsaneGamer
    @SillyInsaneGamer 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really enjoyed the video! I've been creating many different villains over the last couple of months, and the first thing I do similar is going for their past, most of the time I want to give them a past that is either a means for their goals or the reason they're so.. messed up.
    I don't always give them a fear to say, but I do strive to make them human enough.
    One I find most enjoyable, although not a great example is my Hans kleiser. A German surgeon with refined techniques who unfortunately was struck by a car, and other lesser surgeons messed up their work on his face. Terrified and outraged, in frenzy he attempted his best but it resulted in him wrapping up nearly his entire head except for his left eye, bloodstains around the bandages, stitches visible, and nearly all his hair gone. His beloved married his brother, which he blamed on the loss of his face. In modern times he was appointed to a growing organization to return the german glory and acted as both their highest-ranked member as a chief surgeon to experiment on soldiers and to torture their victims, ultimately facing off against a heroine Diana, and taking his life in a final gambit.

  • @jamesheinrich5338
    @jamesheinrich5338 ปีที่แล้ว

    I loved your video Abbie it was informative, insightful, and entertaining!

  • @Aahana1.0
    @Aahana1.0 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "Hitler loved his pet dog"
    Me: *Crying Laughing*

  • @juliaradzio7027
    @juliaradzio7027 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I LOVE ,,POLDARK''. 😍Thank you for this example and super case study!

  • @beezle.
    @beezle. 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you this was really helpful for my series! This video is helpful and great!

  • @kanishmaray
    @kanishmaray 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just the video I needed! Thank you!

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm so glad! thank you!

  • @Asodym
    @Asodym 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My all-time favourite villain is DIO from jojo. Especially him in part 3.

  • @cupio-stardust
    @cupio-stardust 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for the advice, it improved my antagonist!

  • @adriftcheetah
    @adriftcheetah 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love this video! Just earlier, I saw a post about how some ppl grow tired of seeing the "villain with a tragic backstory" or "villain with a reason other than being evil". They said they wanted to see more of villains JUST being evil for the sake of it. Of course, this is personal preference, and I can respect that 😂 I, however, like stories with villains that are more complex and more than what meets the eye 🤣 reality is not black-and-white, and I really love to see that in the characters, villains, and stories I read. Great video!!! 🔥🔥🔥

    • @laisphinto6372
      @laisphinto6372 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      yeah but you cannot deny the sheer awesome villains like emperor palpatine who is like the only guy in the Star wars movies who loves every second of his life till the end. so irredeamable enjoying his lust for ultimate power .

  • @lemonblue6282
    @lemonblue6282 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    OMG!!! Thank you so much for this video! I've had my villains for almost as long as I've had my story --but now I know WHY they did what they did instead of going the normal way. It just flashed at me at 5:39 :D Their Fear. (LOL and exactly what that fear was.)

  • @deviousvillain0621
    @deviousvillain0621 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It blows my mind how much Takuto Maruki from Persona 5 Royal fits your description of a good villain literally word for word. Want to turn his desires to reality (in more ways than one), thinks he is the hero and what he is doing is right and will do everything he can to achieve it. Not to mention the only thing standing In is way is the hero “not necessarily in reality but in his mind” any fans know exactly why this is relevant. (His palace)

  • @nerdteller
    @nerdteller 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your video!

  • @robertzorn1
    @robertzorn1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    A wonderful video, Abbie! You rule!

  • @guilhermme5280
    @guilhermme5280 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    “I don’t have anything to loose” the number one quote villains say when they’re about to go all out on the hero.

  • @asmith7812
    @asmith7812 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like this writing channel cos she is the only few female youtuber that speaks with a normal voice.

  • @aresaurelian
    @aresaurelian ปีที่แล้ว

    Villains are so much fun! You can make them desire anything.... anything anything!

  • @ZealSeraph
    @ZealSeraph ปีที่แล้ว

    I've always found the "villain is the hero of their own story"-advice really limiting. I mean sure, every villain needs at least some kind of motivation to their actions, and preferably (not always) a back story as well to show who they actually are, but they don't have to think that their actions are right. It places boundaries to what the villain can or can't do, a moral line they would not cross. I think there absolutely is a place for villains who lack morality, those who are out for power, status or personal gain, who aren't afraid to snuff out the innocent only to prove a point or to terrorize the heroes, or perhaps just to feel empowered over it. A villain who doesn't have any moral boundaries is far more terrifying and unpredictable than those who act by their moral code and think what they do is justified. One I can sympathize with, but it's the other that keeps me on the edge of my seat every time they appear anywhere near the characters I've grown to care about.

  • @victorbryan5482
    @victorbryan5482 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Zaheer from LOK is hands down my favorite villain, not only because his ideological position, the inherent danger of the avatar, was something I agreed with when he articulated it, but his personal charisma and the fact that he overcame impressive odds to become one of the most skilled airbenders in history. Hard not to root for someone like that.

  • @corinnabanyas8218
    @corinnabanyas8218 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Here’s my favorite villain
    :funny valentine

  • @taleoftheninetailed3012
    @taleoftheninetailed3012 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Girl you are so under-rated

  • @user-zy9bz5sj4w
    @user-zy9bz5sj4w 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This really helped me, and also I agree, Poldark is great

  • @TinkyWinkyhasrabies
    @TinkyWinkyhasrabies ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for making this video

  • @damepieper2163
    @damepieper2163 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Never watched the show you mentioned, but it reminds me a lot of one of my favorite movies, the count of Monte Christo.

  • @tigerlily-px5ng
    @tigerlily-px5ng 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are so funny! Love your videos, thanks!!

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      HAHA THANK YOU 💛

  • @Chalkster_
    @Chalkster_ 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks so much for these tips! I’m a young writer (thirteen) and this really helped! +1 subscriber

  • @brooklynfrostxoxo
    @brooklynfrostxoxo 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love this so much

  • @littlepinkniki
    @littlepinkniki 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your videos are SO helpful, thank you Abbie!
    Current favourite villains/pseudo villains: Kennit (Pirate) and Paragon (Mad Ship) from the Robin Hobb 'Liveship traders' series. She's incredible at constructing complex stories with multiple sub-plots in a universe of her own creation. Her villains are complex, simultaneously lovable, relatable, detestable, unforgivable, and have terrible (yet could happen to anyone) events that carved their fears deeply into their psyches and drive them forward, leaving the reader anticipating terrible things even when they have been redeemed (Paragon in the Fitz & Fool series).

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm so glad you liked this video, Nicola! 😊 thank you!! and ooh that sounds so good!! I'll totally have to check out this author 😍

    • @littlepinkniki
      @littlepinkniki 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AbbieEmmons Your videos are amazing, you're such an inspiration. I've been procrastinating on my thesis the last few days and planning my novel (that I've had in my head and scribbled on little notes since 2011). You've helped SO much, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Going to start writing it the moment I hand in the tome, I finally have something tangible to look forward to afterward...
      I think everyone who loves reading should read Robin Hobb's books. Her Fitz & the Fool series is where I started... Order to read: Fitz and Fool - read first trilogy. Turn to the Liveship traders series. Then return to the Fitz & Fool series for the second, and third, trilogies if you get into it. I couldn't put them down, I've read almost twelve of these huge books in a year on top of all the other stuff I should have been reading.

  • @rachelburke7969
    @rachelburke7969 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love this and all your suggestions. I am currently writing a story where my villain is actually one of the protagonist’s best friends. He, outwardly does not appear to be the villain, but his motivations steer him in that direction, eventually causing him to directly oppose and eventually destroy the protagonist’s goals… mostly. Any ideas on where the villain isn’t obvious?

  • @anomaliecosmos
    @anomaliecosmos ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I certainly don't agree that villains are "inherently evil" or that evil people are "subhuman", but I see where you were going with that at least? Good advice overall.

  • @santanasg8445
    @santanasg8445 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    omg the hitler example😂 One of my fave villains is Adelina from the Young Elites- mainly because of the way she's written; it's clear we have a complex character, morally gray (although, more DARK gray than light gray tbh), and overall, we can clearly see the struggle of the story at both trying to place her as a hero and a villain.

    • @AbbieEmmons
      @AbbieEmmons  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ooh I've heard of that book! I think it's on my TBR. (haha dark gray I know what you mean!!) I'm so glad you liked this video! 😊

    • @Friendship1nmillion
      @Friendship1nmillion ปีที่แล้ว

      @Abbie Emmons I would give anything to travel back in time to meet Adolf Hitler ( possibly in his office ) and make a wisecrack ( joke ) about him having sex with his dog 🐕 as he sleeps with his dog in his bed . Yes , sure he would send me to a concentration camp to work me to death then be gassed BUT i'd say to the Nazi soldier it was worth it seeing the look on Hitler's face ( and how worked up he got in a triggered movement ) that it's So Priceless the soldier(s) should have seen it for themselves and would be the better ( extra ) punishment Hitler would get for what he did ( added to having to kill himself ) .
      ♑️✍️🇳🇴🇦🇺

  • @shinmalestat9272
    @shinmalestat9272 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just a few nights ago I was mapping out a villain using the ennegram. I found what I consider to be his core personality (1), then chose one of the connecting personalities to be an extension of his positive traits (4) and the other to be an extension of his negative traits (7).
    Now I can't wait to flesh him out.

  • @beastyle2183
    @beastyle2183 ปีที่แล้ว

    Workin on a Jojo comic with a buddy so this might be very helpful, thank you!

  • @celineduperier3036
    @celineduperier3036 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my favorite villains right now is August from the Swedish show Young Royals !👌

  • @therealblacktronempire1987
    @therealblacktronempire1987 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My favorite villain is a politician who wants to stop everything from moving and changing. With glue.

  • @stickwithjen8778
    @stickwithjen8778 ปีที่แล้ว

    love this! It's just what I need get my villain into gear. I can almost see her! Oh, btw, I love Visser-Three from the old Animorphs series by K. A. Applegate and Joker from the Dark Night trilogy, Count Olaf from Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events

  • @IAmWBeard
    @IAmWBeard 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was helpful

  • @ainerosemcgowan559
    @ainerosemcgowan559 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of the best done villains I have ever seen is Petro from Kurt Seyit et Sura, a Turkish period romance drama, one of my favourite series of all time.

  • @AngelPuffCait
    @AngelPuffCait 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    YES George is SUCH a good example!!

  • @justkay233
    @justkay233 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    there's also a difference between an antagonist and a villain. an antagonist works against the protagonist, but isn't necessarily all blood and guts and glory. in the book i'm writing, the hero is the protagonist (obviously) who battles against the antagonist, who is the supposed "villain," but the word villain doesn't accurately describe him. the true villain of the story is completely different than him and pretty terrible, therefore when the true baddie comes out, the story gives the reader a chance to realize "oh wait the antagonist isn't actually that bad compared with this horrible villain that i kinda wanna throw off a bridge."

  • @dungeonanddragonpeasant7450
    @dungeonanddragonpeasant7450 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Can a make a villain protagonist just a full-blown psychopath that doesn't have morals to him as long I have a good idea with it. Because I like those kinds of villains and I tried so many times to create a descriptive or simple hero as the main character and I widen up stressful. Can I at least have a villain protagonist that has the personality of a wild man that kills anything and we all know what happens to the poor fair maidens. I always like the dark stuff in ideas and dark fantasy novels and Dark Fantasy anime is my kind of taste...

    • @goldfishgallant1432
      @goldfishgallant1432 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well now that you have rules about fear and motivation for your characters you can sort of know how to break them with your villain. Maybe the idea that this villain is so emotionless is what creates even more fear in the protagonist. Idk something like that.