A villain in a book is a character who opposes the hero or protagonist and serves as the main source of conflict in the story. They often embody traits, goals, or actions that are in direct opposition to the protagonist’s, creating tension and driving the narrative forward. While villains are traditionally seen as “evil,” they can range from purely malevolent figures to complex characters with relatable motivations.
What is So Interesting About Writing Villains?
Villains are the ultimate love-hate relationship. We despise how they torment our favorite characters but can’t get enough of their dramatic, over-the-top antics.
They’re essential to the plot—no Maleficent, no Sleeping Beauty drama! But a great villain isn’t just there to twirl a mustache; they need to add depth to the story. The best villains don’t just make you hate them—they make you question yourself when you start rooting for them.
Types of Villains
- The Pure Evil Villain: Someone who thrives on chaos or destruction with little to no redeeming qualities.
- The Tragic Villain: A character whose villainy stems from a past trauma or loss, making them sympathetic.
- The Anti-Villain: Someone with noble intentions but questionable methods, blurring the line between hero and villain.
- The Reluctant Villain: A character forced into villainous actions due to circumstances or survival.
10 Rules of Writing Villains
1. Give Them a Reason to Be Bad
No one is evil just for the sake of it (well, unless they’re pure chaos). Your villain needs a solid reason for their actions. Are they after revenge? Hungry for power? Trying to survive? Make their motivations clear, so readers can understand (or even sympathize with) them.
2. Make Them Believe They’re the Hero
Great villains don’t think they’re the bad guys. They believe they’re doing the right thing—or at least what’s right for them. Maybe they think the world needs to change, or that they’re the only ones who truly understand what’s at stake. This makes them feel real and layered.
3. Give Them a Personality
No boring, cookie-cutter villains allowed! Make them charismatic, terrifying, funny, or even weirdly likable. A villain with a unique voice or unforgettable quirks will stick with readers long after they finish the book.
4. Don’t Forget Their Strengths
Your villain should challenge the hero at every turn. Give them skills, smarts, or resources that make them a real threat. If your hero can beat them too easily, where’s the fun?
5. Let Them Have a Flaw
Even villains have weaknesses. Maybe they’re too cocky, blinded by anger, or secretly afraid of something. These flaws can add depth to their character and create opportunities for the hero to outsmart them.
6. Make Them Personal
The best villains have a connection to the hero. Maybe they were friends, family, or rivals. Or maybe the villain represents everything the hero is afraid of becoming. This adds emotional weight to their conflict.
7. Let Them Steal the Spotlight
A great villain doesn’t just sit in a dark corner twirling their mustache. Let them take center stage, show off their plans, and get involved in the action. The more they engage with the hero and the story, the more memorable they’ll be.
8. Avoid Stereotypes
Evil laughs and black capes are fun, but don’t rely on clichés to make your villain interesting. Dig deeper! Why are they the way they are? What makes them unique? Think outside the box.
9. Give Them a Satisfying Ending
Whether your villain gets defeated, redeemed, or escapes to fight another day, their ending should feel earned. Make it dramatic, emotional, or surprising—just make sure it leaves an impact.
10. Have Fun with Them!
Villains are your chance to let loose. Want them to be ridiculously clever, darkly funny, or completely unhinged? Go for it! The more fun you have creating them, the more readers will enjoy (and fear) them too.
Inkitt’s Top Tips for Crafting Killer Bad Guys
The Best Villains Make You Switch Teams
No – not like that – get your head back in the game! I meant, you’re rooting for the protagonist the whole time. Then you find yourself quietly sympathizing with the villain’s sob-worthy backstory.
What’s with that?
That, my friend, is called a fantastic villain. When they infect your brain with their not-so-flawed logic and it takes root, you question the entire book’s premise. Villains like this give you a new worldview to look through. Sometimes a walk on the wild side wearing dark-lensed glasses brings a new layer to the story that you never saw coming.
Book Villains Make You Redefine What a Villain is
Maybe they’re not actually evil. They’re just the only one brave enough to call out the protagonist on their fairytale bull. Great examples of this would be Sharpay Evans from the High School Musical franchise. She was always my favorite because of her sparkly, pink aesthetic despite her caustic attitude – but some new fan theories made some very valid points.
She wasn’t evil – she just worked hard her whole life to get the lead role, and was pissed when a rookie jumped in to steal it from her. Anything nefarious she did in the movies was an attempt to level the playing field. In this way, villains aren’t always evil – sometimes, they’re just victims righting a wrong. Really makes you question everything, doesn’t it?
Great Villains Create Darkness So the Light Can Shine
How does a character like Jade West from Victorious pull off being a “villain”? She’s a creepy, goth queen who’s hilariously aggressive and a little scary, but she’s not truly evil. Instead, her edgy vibe creates tension and makes the protagonist, Tori, shine brighter. Despite her antics, she’s still part of the friend group and loved by viewers, proving you don’t need a truly “bad” villain—just someone unpredictable enough to keep everyone guessing when they might snap. Take notes from Jade and let your villains bring that same chaotic energy!
With all these in mind, it’s still true that villains do forward the plot. But my hope is that this post has inspired you to view them as so much more than just that. Treat your villain s as their own characters with complex motives, and you’ll have your readers questioning their own sanity in no time.
