How do you make a memorable villain?

Most great villains share a common set of characteristics.

1. Strong connection to the hero. The best villains are inextricably connected to the hero, and aid in the hero’s character development through their inherent opposition to them. …
2. Clear morality. …
3. A worthy opponent. …
4. Compelling backstory. …
5. Villains should be fun.

How do I create a memorable character?

Easy And Effective Ways To Make Your Characters More Memorable

1. Know Your Character. Develop A Thorough Backstory. Examine Your Character’s Personality. …
2. Write Your Character Into The Story. Develop Interior Dialogue. Create Authentic Dialogue. …
3. Don’t Make Them Boring!
4. Find Your Characters In The People Around You.

What makes the best villains so memorable?

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.

How do you write a relatable villain?

Despite their immoral actions, sympathetic villains must have relatable motivations.



Here are five tips for writing a great sympathetic villain for your story.

1. Make them believe they’re the hero. …
2. Craft a tragic backstory. …
3. Give them an internal conflict. …
4. Employ supporting characters. …
5. Show them doing a good deed.

What makes a fictional character memorable?

A memorable character’s personality tends to be clearly rooted in a strong point of view. When we think of Jay Gatsby, we immediately think of his fetishization of high society. His point of view is well defined and keeps him memorable.

What makes a good fictional character?

Great characters are driven by a deep-seated motivation and have a goal they are trying to reach. This creates interesting characters and also creates a story arc. The main character’s driving force should be one of the first story elements you figure out, since the subsequent action will be driven by this motivation.

Who is the baddest villain of all time?

The Greatest Villains Of All Time

1. Darth Vader. The Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983) Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005), Rogue One (2016)
2. The Joker. Batman (1966), Batman (1989), The Dark Knight (2008), Joker (2019) …
3. Loki. …
4. Hans Gruber. …
5. Hannibal Lecter. …
6. Hans Landa. …
7. Kylo Ren. …
8. Anton Chigurh. …

How do I start my villain era?

In order to gain entry into the “villain era,” you have to read between the lines. It’s not about being an actual villain. This is not a green light to abandon your friends, stop showing up to work, or just generally be a jerk.

How many villains should a story have?

The answer depends on the author, but that shouldn’t be surprising when the term is so loosely defined. There are people who’ll tell you that a truly great story shouldn’t have any antagonists at all, and some who’ll tell you that you need at least three to create a narrative worth reading.

How do you make a non cliche villain?

5 Tips for Making Antagonists Realistic and Non-Cheesy

1. Give him/her a background. A good writer will never let his/her antagonist just be a personification of evil, without any backstory. …
2. They are real people too. …
3. Make them interesting. …
4. Not necessarily a villain, but has a tragic flaw. …
5. But make them powerful.

How do you write an intimidating villain?

Hopefully, these tips will help you do just that.

1. Give the villain strength where the main character is weak.
2. Leave mystery for audiences to feel the fear of the unknown.
3. Don’t give the villain’s motives away at first.
4. Make the villain’s horrible acts hollow to the main character.
5. Defeat your main character.

How do you write an unforgettable character?

How to Create Unforgettable Characters

1. Research the character. Every character needs some kind of research. …
2. Define the character. Create a visual image of your character. …
3. Create a paradox. Defining a character is based on creating consistencies and paradoxes. …
4. Get to know your characters. …
5. Give them an attitude.

How do you make a story memorable?

17 Ways To Make Your Novel More Memorable

1. Your protagonist drives the story. …
2. Structure your book as a roller-coaster ride. …
3. Tell the story in a linear way. …
4. Write from your heart. …
5. Start your novel at the end of the backstory you’ve created. …
6. Include only the most important parts of the story. …
7. Always remember the end.

How do you make a minor character memorable?

5 Ways to Approach Writing Minor Characters

1. Think Beyond the Cliché …
2. Give Minor Characters Unique Personalities. …
3. Give Minor Characters Goals. …
4. Give Minor Characters Stakes. …
5. Give Minor Characters Arcs.

What makes a story iconic?

An iconic character is essentially someone whose presence is so desirable that it independently elevates their story. Someone who you want to spend time with and go on any adventure with. They don’t always have to be relatable, or even heroic – just really interesting, and by extension, probably really cool.