This week: Villains! Edited by: Lilli ☕  
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“I have never met any really wicked person before. I feel rather frightened. I am so afraid he will look just like every one else.”
~ Oscar Wilde
“Why, if not, we should be as able to win it without the King’s grace as with him. For I need not tell your Lordship that Miraz is no very great captain. And after that, we should be both victorious and kingless.”
~ C.S. Lewis
“Before the day is out, dozens of villains will deliver up false claims. Only my crow will convince Papa that you are the genuine villain.”
~ Sid Fleischman |
At the end of the day, villains are people too. So here are some tips to get your readers to care about them and what happens to them. Creating an unforgettable villain arc deepens character development and the emotional impact. So, here are some ideas to get you started.
 A want or desire.
A tragic villain begins with a relatable desire, such as safety, love, justice, or recognition. Their goal should make sense even if their methods later become unforgivable.
Give the villain morals.
Early on, establish a boundary they swear they will never cross. The tragedy comes when readers see them cross it piece by piece.
Make their steps justifiable.
Every darker choice should feel reasonable in the moment. The villain does not see themselves as evil, only as doing what must be done.
Let them be right at first.
The villains early actions should solve real problems or expose real flaws in the world. This will make their fall feel logical rather than sudden.
Let them make the wrong choice, repeatedly.
Their 'fall' is not just one choice, but many. Small compromises stack up until a clear path back is obliterated.
Connect power to loss.
Tragic villains are oftenn undone by what they care about most. Love becomes fear, fear becomes control, and control becomes cruelty.
Mirror the hero's path.
Show how the villain and the hero want similar things but make entirely differebt decisions choices. This contrast will highlight the villains fall was unavoidable.
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Comments from my last For Authors Newsletter, "There's a Word for That!" :
Charles Nasby  wrote:
"Ever get from scrolling through destitute forums on here? That's where I usually feel it. Not a big fan of opia myself, though I've practiced suppressing blinking just to make it more unnerving for the other person.  "
I can't even begin to tell you how relatable your comment is! Thanks for reading and commenting!
S🤦♂️  wrote:
"I love finding new words. The problem is, I include them in my writing and editors go, "Huh?" and red-line them every time!"
That is frustrating. I despise having to "dumb-down" my writing. 
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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For Authors: January 07, 2026 Issue [#13536]
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