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thewriteadviceforwriters · 2 months

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Villains vs. Antagonists (Guide For Writers)

Hey there, fellow writers and wonderful members of the writeblr community! 📚✍️ It's Rin here and...

Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to many writers' hearts: villains and antagonists. These characters often steal the show, driving our plots forward and giving our heroes something to push against. But here's the thing – while these terms are often used interchangeably, they're not quite the same. So, let's unpack this, shall we?

First things first, let's break down the difference between a villain and an antagonist. It's a distinction that can really elevate your storytelling game!

An antagonist is simply a character (or force) that opposes your protagonist. They're the obstacle, the challenge, the thing standing in the way of your main character achieving their goal. Here's the kicker: an antagonist doesn't have to be evil. They could be a rival love interest, a stern parent, or even nature itself.

A villain, on the other hand, is a specific type of antagonist. They're the bad guy, the evildoer, the character with malicious intent. All villains are antagonists, but not all antagonists are villains. Mind-blowing, right?

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

In "Romeo and Juliet," the feuding families are antagonists, but they're not villains. They oppose the protagonists' desire to be together, but they're not evil.

In "Harry Potter," Voldemort is both an antagonist and a villain. He opposes Harry (making him an antagonist) and he's also evil (making him a villain).

In "Cast Away," the island and the challenges of survival are the antagonists. There's no villain in sight!

Now that we've got that sorted, let's dive deeper into how to create these characters and use them effectively in your writing.

Creating Antagonists:

Define their opposition: What specifically does your antagonist do to oppose your protagonist? This could be physical, emotional, or ideological opposition.

Give them a reason: Why are they standing in your protagonist's way? Even if it's not justified, there should be a reason that makes sense to the antagonist.

Make them strong: Your antagonist should be a worthy opponent. They need to pose a real challenge to your protagonist to keep things interesting.

Consider their perspective: Remember, your antagonist is the hero of their own story. Try writing a scene from their point of view to understand them better.

Create contrast: Your antagonist should in some way contrast with your protagonist. This could be in values, methods, or personality.

Creating Villains:

Establish their evil: What makes your villain "bad"? Is it their actions, their beliefs, or both?

Develop their backstory: How did they become evil? A compelling villain often has a tragic or twisted history.

Give them dimensions: Pure evil can be boring. Give your villain some complexity – maybe they love their cat or have a soft spot for classical music.

Create a strong motivation: What drives your villain? Greed? Revenge? A twisted sense of justice? The stronger and more relatable the motivation, the more compelling your villain will be.

Make them smart: Your villain should be clever enough to pose a real threat. They should be able to anticipate and counter your protagonist's moves.

Now, let's talk about how to use these characters in different genres. Because let's face it, a villain in a romance novel is going to look very different from one in a fantasy epic!

In Romance: Antagonists in romance are often rivals for the affection of the love interest, or perhaps societal norms or family expectations standing in the way of true love. Villains are less common, but when they appear, they might be abusive exes or manipulative friends trying to sabotage the relationship.

Tip: In romance, make sure your antagonist's motivations are clear and relatable. We should understand why they're opposing the main relationship, even if we don't agree with their methods.

In Fantasy: Fantasy is ripe for both antagonists and villains. You might have a Dark Lord seeking to conquer the world (classic villain) or a rival magic user competing for the same goal as your protagonist (antagonist).

Tip: In fantasy, world-building is key. Make sure your antagonist or villain fits logically into the world you've created. Their powers, motivations, and methods should all make sense within the rules of your fantasy realm.

In Mystery/Thriller: In these genres, your antagonist is often the perpetrator of the crime your protagonist is trying to solve. They might not be evil (maybe they committed a crime of passion), or they could be a full-fledged villain if their crimes are particularly heinous.

Tip: In mysteries, your antagonist needs to be clever enough to challenge your detective protagonist. Leave subtle clues about their identity or motives, but make sure they're smart enough to almost get away with it.

In Literary Fiction: Here, antagonists are often more abstract. They might be societal expectations, personal flaws, or even time itself. Villains in the traditional sense are less common, but morally grey characters who oppose the protagonist are frequent.

Tip: In literary fiction, focus on the nuances of your antagonist. They should be as complex and flawed as your protagonist, with their own rich inner life.

In Sci-Fi: Science fiction offers a wide range of possibilities for antagonists and villains. You might have alien invaders, oppressive governments, or even well-meaning scientists whose creations have gone awry.

Tip: In sci-fi, make sure your antagonist or villain is consistent with the technological and social aspects of your imagined world. Their methods and motivations should make sense within the context of your sci-fi setting.

Now, let's dive into some tips to make your antagonists and villains the best they can be in your novel:

Make them believable: Whether you're writing a mustache-twirling villain or a morally grey antagonist, their actions and motivations should make sense within the context of your story and their character.

Give them a personal connection to the protagonist: The conflict becomes much more engaging when it's personal. Maybe your antagonist and protagonist used to be friends, or they're fighting over the same goal.

Show their impact: Don't just tell us your antagonist is a threat – show us the consequences of their actions. Let us see how they affect your protagonist and the world of your story.

Give them wins: Your antagonist or villain should have some successes along the way. If they're always failing, they won't seem like a credible threat.

Humanize them: Even if you're writing a truly evil villain, give them some humanizing traits. Maybe they have a pet they dote on, or a tragic backstory that explains (but doesn't excuse) their actions.

Make them adaptable: A good antagonist doesn't stick to one plan. When the protagonist foils them, they should be able to come up with new strategies.

Give them their own character arc: Your antagonist or villain should grow and change throughout the story, just like your protagonist does.

Use them to highlight your protagonist's strengths and weaknesses: Your antagonist should challenge your protagonist in ways that force them to grow and change.

Consider their presentation: How do other characters react to your antagonist? How do they present themselves to the world versus who they really are?

Don't forget about henchmen: If you're writing a villain, consider giving them some underlings. This can add depth to their character and provide more challenges for your protagonist.

Remember, whether you're crafting a dastardly villain or a complex antagonist, these characters are crucial to your story. They're the ones who push your protagonist to grow, who raise the stakes, and who often drive the plot forward.

But here's a gentle reminder: while it's important to make your antagonists and villains compelling, be mindful of the impact your writing might have. If you're dealing with heavy themes or traumatic events, handle them with care and sensitivity.

Now, I know we've covered a lot of ground here, and you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's okay! Writing complex characters is a skill that develops over time. Don't be afraid to experiment, to try different approaches, and to revise and refine your antagonists and villains as you go.

One exercise I find helpful is to write a short story from your antagonist's or villain's point of view. This can help you understand their motivations better and ensure they feel like real, three-dimensional characters.

Another tip: watch movies or read books in your genre and pay special attention to how they handle antagonists and villains. What works well? What doesn't? How can you apply these lessons to your own writing?

Remember, there's no one "right" way to create these characters. What matters is that they serve your story and engage your readers. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to push boundaries or subvert expectations.

As you work on your antagonists and villains, keep in mind that they're not just there to make life difficult for your protagonist. They're an integral part of your story's ecosystem. They shape the plot, influence character development, and often reflect themes or ideas you're exploring in your work.

And remember, writing is a journey. Your first draft of an antagonist or villain might not be perfect, and that's okay. The beauty of writing is in the revision, in the gradual sculpting of characters until they leap off the page.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun with it! Creating antagonists and villains can be some of the most enjoyable parts of writing. Let your imagination run wild, explore the darker sides of human nature, and see where your characters take you.

I hope this deep dive into antagonists and villains has been helpful and inspiring. Remember, you've got this! Your unique voice and perspective will bring these characters to life in ways no one else can.

Happy writing! 📝💖 - Rin. T

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kanonakin · 26 days

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Left Behind

It was foolish to believe he had chosen you, when in fact he had chosen her.

WARNINGS - Angst, hurt with no comfort

Logan Howlett x Reader

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You weren’t stupid, maybe a little blind but far from stupid. You knew being in a relationship with Logan was not going to be easy. Not like anything ever was.

Anyone with eyes could see the way his eyes would instinctively look for her. But then he’d remember he had a girlfriend and turn his attention to you immediately after, with a few more glances around the room when you weren’t looking. He was trying. You had somehow convinced yourself that was trying. Conveniently ignoring how he would blatantly strike up conversations with Jean any chance he got, whether it was in the middle of an important mission or he’d miraculously run into her and Scott in the halls or kitchen.

No one could make sense of his infatuation with her. Yes, Jean was absolutely beautiful but you’d never seen anyone fall so hard for a person they’d just met. It was as if the moment he laid eyes on her, he bound his mind, body, and soul to her without a second thought.

You could still remember the day you and him were brought to the professor’s office and how he looked at her. It hurt a little. After that, it was as if he had completely forgotten about you. While you roamed the halls and talked to other teachers and students trying to get used to having so many other mutants around, he had clung to Jean. At one point neither of you had seen each other for 2 whole weeks. The highest amount of time you’ve spent apart from him in the many years you’ve been together after finding him passed out in an alley drunk and with no memory of his past but a dog tag.

But after being rejected multiple times and Jean going back to Scott every time, he finally took the hint. At least that’s what you had hoped. How could you not think that when he had kissed you in the kitchen claiming he missed you after days of only seeing you in the halls for a few seconds while he went off with Jean? It wasn’t your first rodeo with Logan. You were traveling together for years, you were bound to sleep together a couple times to get through the loneliness. But you were a fool to have caught feelings in the process. So when he had come back to you that night after getting rejected for the 100th time, you had hoped he had realized that it was you he loved.

Hopeful thoughts.

The couple of months he had tried to fully devote himself to you were some of the best. But what seemed like paradise had come crashing down on you when the team had come back from a mission without Jean. You asked where she was. No one said a word. Logan, pushed past you without even a glance and went straight to his room, locking himself in for days. Scott doing the same.

After that, the mansion’s atmosphere became bleak and lifeless. Scott looked to be on autopilot rather than be fully conscious. Logan had drifted further away from you. Father than you could have ever imagined. Your days merely consisted of waking up, eating, teaching, and going back to bed. Simply waiting. For what? You don’t know. It was safe to assume at that point that your relationship was already gone.

Until the night Logan had come knocking on your bedroom door, drunk. He had come back to you, just that one night. Until it wasn’t that night anymore. It became consistent. He’d back to you only at night though. Only when he needed to someone there to help him get through the pain he was feeling of Jean’s death. It was never just a talk though.

You hated what became of your relationship with him. What had started out as a friendship lasting years to a romantic relationship, and all that was left was lust and grief.

Then she came back. Tormenting you from the grave wasn’t enough, she had to come back and once again took Logan away from you.

You watched from the bottom of the mountain of bodies and rubble as Logan struck her, killing her for good. His scream of agony could be heard all around.

He was gone. That you were sure of.

Days after Logan had left without a word to anyone. Soon you did too. In your car, you sat contemplating everything. Logan had left you and everyone else. You watched as the waves in the lake in front of you swirl and dance around each other. You wished to be free of this torment too.

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“There you are.”

You looked behind you to the source of the voice. A rough looking man with dark hair in the shape of cat ears stared at you from the bottom of your driveway. He made his way up to you as you stumbled back holding your grocery bags tightly.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

An awkward smile appeared on your lips, “Sorry, I think you have the wrong person. I don’t know you.”

You watched as his small smile slowly dropped from his expression and he stepped back. His eyes wide in shock. As much as you wanted to pry and maybe help him find the person he’s looking for, you needed to get back inside your house.

The man stares for a few more seconds before closing his eyes. His lips pressed together and his jaw grinding. He looked angry.

“Right, sorry to bother you.”

You couldn’t help but watch as he turned around and walked away. A sense of familiarity but not enough for you to remember him. He must’ve not been important.

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A/N: Not sure if I wanna turn this into a series or not. But if I do a part 2, it’ll def be through logan’s pov.