How to write about villains who are very successful from a financial standpoint without glorifying them or resorting to tired stereotypes and creating heroes with great earned achievements that are rewarding in other ways.
There is a lot of power in the pen. The English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote that:
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
He was right. Just as the media has to be careful about amplifying the wrong voices, writers need to remember that when we create and write about villains to keep our power in check so we don’t elevate them when we describe their power and influence.
It was necessary for me to write about the villains and their excesses and indulgences to explain the situation in The Base – Part 1 with clarity. I did not want them to be made into heroes because of their profit margins and lifestyles, though because I thought that would be reckless as a writer. I concluded that the more important path was to validate the characters who chose to use their gifts, time, and talents to pursue a career that would not be destructive.
I believe that all of us have options to use our skills in many ways, but we have to consider the impact on others in our daily choices. Of course, as an author I wish my works would be a smashing success, not just as books, but in the box office as well someday. But would I want people to emulate the villains based solely on their wealth?
I have to ask myself when I write – which one of the characters would I want to live next door to, should the readers and audience choose to follow in their example. For me the answer is obvious, I would much rather live next door to the families of the military scientists depicted in The Base – Book 1 who lead by setting good examples, working hard, using their talents and skills for good intentions. I respect the direction they adhere to, and I am glad they impart this wisdom on their children also.
When in doubt, put a little bling on that thing!
This seems to be the tried-and-true formula from the almost endless amount of rich housewife shows and lifestyle bloggers. It also doesn’t hurt to flaunt fake body parts in that arena, but it lacks depth.
The most unforgettable and popular villain of all time is Darth Vader. Everyone remembers Darth’s breathing, authoritarian walk, and commanding voice. Creating memorable characters that are complex with signature attributes without relying on what has now become superficial cliches is important to stand out as a writer.
It also helps to contrast characters in the story to illustrate a point. Comparing a character who is bored with excess to a character who has a path with more purpose can help define them both and show what drives them. An earned achievement after a long time striving, if written well, will deflate status symbols to hollow rewards if deployed well.
Spice is nice…in a good recipe
Writing and creating food have a lot in common. Too much spice can overwhelm a recipe and drown out the other elements.
A balanced story reminds me of a good cake. You appreciate the unity of the individual parts used to create a whole.
The occasional spark in a bite awakens the senses and then becomes very noticeable, but if you overplay that ingredient, it becomes the whole show. We writers have to choose our ingredients, their measurements, and their timing well.
Maintaining consistency when writing heroes and villains
Characters must be consistent in their behavior and choices. Would a drop-dead evil villain make a contribution to a charity that benefits little children? Only if it is in their self-interest and they can further themselves and their agenda with it.
The villains in The Base – Book 1 might do a good deed if there was a press conference called and their name was emblazoned on any and all of the promotional materials they created to publicize the “event.” But I can’t picture them doing anything philanthropic without an ulterior motive. I can also picture them using that donation example anytime they get into trouble or their image needs a little sprucing up.
A hero would follow the example set forth in many sacred texts. Here it is from the Bible:
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Doing a good deed without expectations of fame or any reward is how the heroes in the book and in real life handle this.
What are they really like when no one is watching?
The villain will maintain their normal behavior pattern without an audience. The villain may be more cautious if they believe they might be exposed for doing wrong, but if they get caught in a transgression, they simply refuse to take responsibility, create a scene, or blame a scapegoat.
A hero will do the right thing regardless of if they are supervised or monitored and will feel bad if they have made a mistake. If a store was left wide open with the security system not functioning because of a power outage, the hero would not take advantage of the situation. The hero would report it and wait until it was secured and then leave, without expecting a medal, recognition, or reward.
Heroes and villains must evolve in response to conflicts
When I wrote The Base – Book 1, I had to first envision the scientists and their specialized areas of expertise. That was the backbone and foundation of the characters’ skill sets for the story.
The scientists and the villains were in a cat and mouse game, so their tactics in preventing and countering attacks always had to progress to showcase their developing skills and keep ratcheting up the drama. I didn’t want to resort to the same solutions for problems. I wanted the reader to be in joyful anticipation of what each character would do next.
The element of suspense has an addicting quality to it, which I enjoy. I wanted the books to be rich in that area and for the readers to understand the depth of knowledge each character possessed which they can use in retaliation. It was important to me that the conflicts, mission specifications, and situations would highlight the characters’ mental prowess and agility while not relying on traditional weapons to resolve conflicts.
I think it is important to engage the reader and their imagination with a wider palette of possibilities in conflict scenarios. If the heroes and villains have a limited arsenal of weaponry, expertise and tactics the story will either run out too soon or become repetitive.
About the author
Dante Terese is a dynamic new voice in fiction, blending deep themes with compelling narratives in her work. Her debut novel, Sex, Death, & Diane, celebrates the courage of those who dare to think independently and speak their truths, exploring the quiet power within each of us. Her recent suspenseful fiction release, The Base- Book 1, takes readers into the high-stakes world of military research, where ethical dilemmas and espionage intertwine in a suspenseful tale of innovation and integrity.
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