Making your antagonist memorable

Some memorable villains in beloved series, like Voldemort, often does things to prove just how evil and powerful he is. He tortures people. He kills muggles. He makes everybody so afraid of him that they are even terrifed to speak his name! Consider adding scenes in your story that show just how evil the antagonist is.

Give your antagonist a unique physical appearance

Taking Voldemort again as the example, Voldemort looks quite freakish. He has this interesting pale skin. He has a nose like a snake. He has weird eyes. Make your antagonist look unique and somebody that looks feared.

Giving your antagonists a backstory, but make it believable too

I'm just going to take Voldemort again. Most of the time, antagonists are not born evil. They develop it over time, just like Tom Riddle. Give your antagonist some back story that is believable and interesting.

Give your antagonist opposite powers of your main character, something that can overpower lightning

Give your antagonist the opposite powers of your main character. Something that is more powerful than lightning and have it as a shield the antagonist use to protect him/herself. To make the MC even more terrifed of the antagonist, consider making your antagonist already targeting the MC. And have the MC know that. Then, she could be even more terrifed of the antagonist when they meet. Have the MC know what the antagonist is capable of.

Here is a additional checklist of things that you should check off when you are creating villains:

He’s convinced he’s the good guy He has many likeable qualities He’s a worthy enough opponent to make your hero look good You (and your reader) like when he’s on stage He’s clever and accomplished enough that people must lend him begrudging respect He can’t be a fool or a bumbler He has many of the same characteristics of the hero, but they’re misdirected He should occasionally be kind, and not just for show He can be merciless, even to the innocent He’s persuasive He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants He’s proud He’s deceitful He’s jealous, especially of the hero He’s vengeful

Resources: Now Novel

Jerry Jenkins

Making your antagonist memorable

Some memorable villains in beloved series, like Voldemort, often does things to prove just how evil and powerful he is. He tortures people. He kills muggles. He makes everybody so afraid of him that they are even terrified to speak his name! Consider adding scenes in your story that show just how evil the antagonist is.

Give your antagonist a unique physical appearance

Taking Voldemort again as the example, Voldemort looks quite freakish. He has this interesting pale skin. He has a nose like a snake. He has weird eyes. Make your antagonist look unique and somebody that looks feared.

Giving your antagonists a backstory, but make it believable too

I'm just going to take Voldemort again. Most of the time, antagonists are not born evil. They develop it over time, just like Tom Riddle. Give your antagonist some backstory that is believable and interesting.

Give your antagonist opposite powers of your main character, something that can overpower lightning

Give your antagonist the opposite powers of your main character. Something that is more powerful than lightning and have it as a shield the antagonist use to protect him/herself. To make the MC even more terrified of the antagonist, consider making your antagonist already targeting the MC. And have the MC know that. Then, she could be even more terrified of the antagonist when they meet. Have the MC know what the antagonist is capable of.

Here is a additional checklist of things that you should check off when you are creating villains:

• He’s convinced he’s the good guy
• He has many likeable qualities
• He’s a worthy enough opponent to make your hero look good
• You (and your reader) like when he’s on stage
• He’s clever and accomplished enough that people must lend him begrudging respect
• He can’t be a fool or a bumbler
• He has many of the same characteristics of the hero, but they’re misdirected
• He should occasionally be kind, and not just for show
• He can be merciless, even to the innocent
• He’s persuasive
• He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants
• He’s proud
• He’s deceitful
• He’s jealous, especially of the hero
• He’s vengeful

Resources:

• Now Novel
• Jerry Jenkins