#the writing on the wall

[overthinkingwritershub]

How to Write Believable Villains - A guide to writers

Villains aren’t just obstacles for the protagonist—they should be fully realized characters with depth, purpose, and their own internal logic. A strong villain can elevate a story, making the hero’s journey more compelling and adding layers of moral complexity. Here’s how to make them believable and unforgettable:

1. They Should Believe They’re the Hero of Their Own Story

A great villain doesn’t wake up in the morning thinking, I’m going to be evil today. They act based on their beliefs, desires, and personal logic—no matter how twisted.

Example:

Killmonger (Black Panther) believes he’s liberating oppressed people, not just seizing power.

Light Yagami (Death Note) sees himself as a force of justice, eliminating criminals to create a "better" world.

Magneto (X-Men) fights for mutant supremacy because of his experiences with human cruelty.

What to Avoid:

A villain who does bad things just because. ("I want to destroy the world for no reason!")

Over-the-top mustache-twirling evil.

Ask Yourself:

If your villain were telling the story, how would they justify their actions?

What’s their version of "doing the right thing"?

2. Give Them a Personal Code of Ethics (Even If Twisted)

Even villains have rules they follow. Their moral code might be flawed or extreme, but it’s consistent.

Example:

Jigsaw (Saw series) doesn’t kill for fun—he forces people to appreciate life through twisted "games."

Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal, but he only eats the "rude" and has a refined sense of culture.

Walter White (Breaking Bad) starts with the rule "no innocent people," but his morals erode over time.

What to Avoid:

A villain whose actions are random and contradictory.

A villain who has no limits—real people have boundaries, even bad ones.

Ask Yourself:

What is one thing your villain refuses to do, no matter what?

How does their moral code shape their decisions?

3. Their Motivation Should Be Relatable (Even If Their Actions Aren’t)

Your villain’s goal should make sense, even if their methods are extreme. Readers should understand why they’re doing what they do—even if they don’t agree with it.

Example:

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War) believes overpopulation will destroy the universe, so he wants to "fix" it.

Dr. Octopus (Spider-Man 2) wants to complete his scientific work, but his obsession turns him into a villain.

The Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) longs for love and acceptance, but his jealousy drives him to violence.

What to Avoid:

A villain who is evil "for the sake of it."

A villain with an overdone revenge plot unless it has deeper layers.

Ask Yourself:

If the villain had chosen a different path, could they have been the hero?

What’s their core belief that fuels their actions?

4. Make Them Competent (Nothing’s Scarier Than a Villain Who Actually Wins)

A weak villain is forgettable. A great villain is dangerous because they’re smart, powerful, and capable.

Example:

Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes) is a criminal mastermind who outsmarts Sherlock multiple times.

Darth Vader is feared for a reason—he’s powerful, strategic, and ruthless.

The Joker (The Dark Knight) doesn’t have superpowers, but he manipulates people and turns society against Batman.

What to Avoid:

A villain who gets defeated too easily.

A villain who constantly makes dumb mistakes.

Ask Yourself:

What is the villain better at than the hero?

How do they outmaneuver the protagonist?

5. Don’t Forget Their Human Side—What Do They Love? What Are They Afraid Of?

Even villains have emotions, relationships, and vulnerabilities. Giving them a human side makes them more three-dimensional.

Example:

Lord Voldemort fears death more than anything, driving all his actions.

Loki craves attention and validation from his family.

The Wicked Witch (Wizard of Oz) isn’t just evil—she’s grieving her sister’s death.

What to Avoid:

A villain with nothing to lose—stakes make them more dangerous.

A villain who is just a killing machine with no depth.

Ask Yourself:

What does your villain secretly love?

What keeps them up at night?

Final Thought - Make the Villain’s Presence Felt

Even when the villain isn’t on the page, their influence should loom over the story. A great villain challenges everyone and everything in the story and the theories everyone else believe in.

[saydesole]

Kelly Rowland 🫶🏽

Happy Birthday 🤎

[middleland]

Rust Belt Rail Transformation (Cleveland, OH) by Brandon Parsons

[coffinmotif]

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So I ask you, 'Demon King of Salvation'.

Who am I?

[habizuh-studios]

I JUST WATCHED THE ALHAITHAM VERSION OF THE WRITING ON THE WALL. HOLY SHIT. I LOVED IT SO, SO MUCH.

[deadly-danaid]

Not all tattoos are mistakes, but all mistakes are like tattoos: permanent.

— Moka Lynn

[stargazerdaisy]

Goodbye prison beard and muscles. I'll remember you lustfully.

[fallenoftheromaempire]

i'm just at chapter 42 of Dungeon Meshi but, I found this song called The Writing on The Wall that i think fits it so perfectly, especially the whole sorcerer story ( as far as i know) so i would love to share. And even it it doesn't fit its a neat song.

[theoutcastrogue]

Barcelona, photo by GrooverFW (Creative Commons CC BY 2.0)

[woodrocko]

Bleeding paint, a shattered heart. That’s what makes a work of art

I’ll fight for control, but the right way can take a toll

..and still at the end of it all

I can’t escape my fate, the writing’s on the wall…

[thingsasbarcodes]

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 2x07 - The Writing on the Wall

[middleland]

OH Columbus - Mural in the Clintonville neighborhood by Ken

[stabbyapologist]

Do I think that Hagrid would take care of a Basilisk? Yes. Do I think he'd be especially fond of it based on how vicious and dangerous his other creatures are that he's like in the past? Yes.

But did I believe for an instant that Hagrid (who nicknamed a three headed dog "Fluffy" and a dragon "Norbert") was ever responsible for releasing a bloody great snake onto Muggleborns? No. Literally, I was more convinced that Draco Malfoy did it.

[bullsduckbears]

[ao3feed-curlya]

The writing on the wall

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/SIzDptM by BleedinHeartz Words: 1112, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Mouthwashing (Video Game) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/M, Gen Characters: Anya (Mouthwashing), Curly (Mouthwashing), Daisuke (Mouthwashing), Swansea (Mouthwashing), Jimmy (Mouthwashing) Relationships: Anya/Curly (Mouthwashing), Anya & Curly (Mouthwashing) Additional Tags: Canonical Character Death, Not Beta Read, Suicide, no happy ending, Tags to be added if requested, first ao3 post read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/SIzDptM

[deadly-danaid]

"How many journals can I fill with my thoughts before I finally run out?"

— Moka Lynn