Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Writing Group => Topic started by: Chimera on October 13, 2005, 01:34:34 AM
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Okay, so I've been thinking about my villain and how he has to be defeated at the end of the novel--which I am still far away from. I am more of an organic writer--I discover as I write--rather than a planner (which means I get to rewrite a lot :)). However, I would like to have this worked out ahead of time if I can so I can lay the "clues" in these chapters where I am developing the villain and the reader gets to meet him firsthand.
I've heard stuff from EUOL like the stronger the villain, the stronger the hero. So I don't want it to be some pansy flaw. And I don't want it to be real obvious--I'd like it to be subtle so a really smart reader would pick up on it, but not everyone would. I'm kind of stuck on how to figure it out, so I thought I'd get some suggestions.
How do you guys come up with villains--particularly the "fatal flaw" that makes it possible for them to be defeated at the end? I need some brainstorming ideas, if you have any. I'm looking for generals right now, though I might ask for specifics if I continue to be stuck.
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I think, rather than having a fatal flaw, like Kryptonite, I'd rather just have his plan be not quite good enough. Like the deaf king in Way of Kings (if you've read it). He looks like he's going to win, but the hero takes a risk that pays off and it gives him a just barely superior position, allowing him to defeat the villain without learning about his Achille's heal.
This was actually also done fairly effectively in the Hunter's Blades trilogy (http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=1111&dep=7). As much as I don't like D&D fiction, I have to give credit where's it's due.
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Generally, I like stories where the villains are defeated by some aspect of their intellect or their personality that somehow works against them. For instance, Saruman's sense of superiority and his disdain for the strength of nature led him to be assailed by the Ents.
However, I also think it depends on how you are characterizing your villain. If your villain is a sneaky little rat, then his or her end should be different than that of a brutal, "perfect", villain.
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Have him fall over and break his neck, or something similarly anti-climatic. You'll drive your readers insane... but it'll make them talk about it. And that sells books :D
Plus, it's really funny.
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"My preciousssssssssssss" *spat