𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 & 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬

writing female villians

- how to create credible female villains -

There aren't enough famous and credible female villains. Instead, they are overshadowed by their male counterparts.

This quick guide to creating awesome female villains will help change that disparity.

Top Tips

Villains need positive traits too - make sure you include them.

A villain that loves something makes the reader empathize with them, drawing them into their story.

Whether they are good or bad, villains need core values, and need to stick to them like glue.

Although everyone else sees a villain as bad, villains think they are good and just. This gives them integrity when they fight for their beliefs.

Top Tips for Credibility

Authenticity - Your villain needs to do exactly what they say they will. Even if that means torturing your protagonist or killing off a character.

Expertise - Villains need to challenge heroes. If they are experts at something, your hero will have a hard time defeating them. This produces conflict and drives plot.

Believability - Play on real life fears readers have. Finally, give the villain a realistic journey to their villainy. They have a story to tell just like your hero does.