Villains - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T17:49:48Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:11571?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A15289&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat's the way I feel about i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-29:537324:Comment:152892007-03-29T18:36:24.354ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
That's the way I feel about it, Jannie. We all have a horror show buried somewhere deep, and we exhume it when creating our villains.
That's the way I feel about it, Jannie. We all have a horror show buried somewhere deep, and we exhume it when creating our villains. Hi Jude.
I think it might…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-29:537324:Comment:152382007-03-29T17:46:30.462ZJannie Ballietthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/tjannieballiett
Hi Jude.<br />
<br />
I think it might be a combination of both-- or it is for me and my current bad guy.<br />
<br />
He's a serial killer. Of women only. He's a sociopath and narcissistic. A real duplician.<br />
I knew the basics of those idiosyncrasies, but researched all characterists,<br />
cause and effects.<br />
<br />
I captured him right off (that scares me ;) and I actual enjoy getting inside his head<br />
more than the other character's heads.<br />
<br />
I think a writer more than most people, have a darker side to them for some…
Hi Jude. <br />
<br />
I think it might be a combination of both-- or it is for me and my current bad guy. <br />
<br />
He's a serial killer. Of women only. He's a sociopath and narcissistic. A real duplician. <br />
I knew the basics of those idiosyncrasies, but researched all characterists, <br />
cause and effects. <br />
<br />
I captured him right off (that scares me ;) and I actual enjoy getting inside his head <br />
more than the other character's heads. <br />
<br />
I think a writer more than most people, have a darker side to them for some <br />
reason because we have to in order to write what we do. <br />
<br />
Look at the dark horror genre, etc. Look at Stephen King! He's a goofey fellow, <br />
but there's a dark place hidden inside him. I think that's when villains…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-25:537324:Comment:124952007-03-25T20:22:24.773ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I think that's when villains are most convincing, Syl. Written from the inside out.
I think that's when villains are most convincing, Syl. Written from the inside out. My research tends to be insid…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-25:537324:Comment:123942007-03-25T17:19:51.484ZSylvia Dickey Smithhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ThirdEye
My research tends to be inside me -- taping into that dark side--thinking like my bad guy thinks, smelling what and how he smells, touching what he would touch, doing what he would do, and then reacting the way I think he would.<br />
<br />
For me, I must BECOME the bad guy.<br />
<br />
Then, of course, I must come up out of that 'mind' realizing I am NOT him. I do have different reactions, feelings, etc. I drive that little guy right back down inside and lock him away, cleansing myself on the way.<br />
<br />
And actually, I…
My research tends to be inside me -- taping into that dark side--thinking like my bad guy thinks, smelling what and how he smells, touching what he would touch, doing what he would do, and then reacting the way I think he would.<br />
<br />
For me, I must BECOME the bad guy.<br />
<br />
Then, of course, I must come up out of that 'mind' realizing I am NOT him. I do have different reactions, feelings, etc. I drive that little guy right back down inside and lock him away, cleansing myself on the way.<br />
<br />
And actually, I find this approach liberating. Because, my bad guy ultimatlely loses, and my good gal wins, so -- I know what I DON'T want to do in my world--with my life, 'cause I like to win! <br />
<br />
Syl Sounds like you're really get…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-25:537324:Comment:122982007-03-25T12:50:20.811ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
Sounds like you're really getting inside your villains' heads, Jon.
Sounds like you're really getting inside your villains' heads, Jon. Christa: Two-dimensional vill…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-25:537324:Comment:122962007-03-25T12:44:48.274ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
Christa: Two-dimensional villains can work in certain contexts, but I think it's more satisfying (for writer and reader) to give their personalities multiple layers. When the hero then exposes the villain, it's sort of like peeling the skin from an onion. It takes some work (and tears) to get to the heart.
Christa: Two-dimensional villains can work in certain contexts, but I think it's more satisfying (for writer and reader) to give their personalities multiple layers. When the hero then exposes the villain, it's sort of like peeling the skin from an onion. It takes some work (and tears) to get to the heart. I have a lot of trouble with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-24:537324:Comment:118572007-03-24T16:06:30.748ZChrista M. Millerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/christammiller
I have a lot of trouble with villains. While I totally agree with DA, putting it into practice is hard for me because I tend to draw my characters from people I actually know (not precisely; I use some element of a personality to jumpstart my characterization). My villains tend to be a bit two-dimensional as a result, even when I do give them backstory (like the label "conduct disorder" or something).
I have a lot of trouble with villains. While I totally agree with DA, putting it into practice is hard for me because I tend to draw my characters from people I actually know (not precisely; I use some element of a personality to jumpstart my characterization). My villains tend to be a bit two-dimensional as a result, even when I do give them backstory (like the label "conduct disorder" or something). Thanks for the link, Karen. V…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-24:537324:Comment:117742007-03-24T13:25:38.230ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
Thanks for the link, Karen. Very interesting. I agree that most villains exhibit varying degrees of NPD.
Thanks for the link, Karen. Very interesting. I agree that most villains exhibit varying degrees of NPD. I agree, DA. Villains are fun…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-24:537324:Comment:117732007-03-24T13:21:37.649ZJude Hardinhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/festus
I agree, DA. Villains are fun to write. And making them really bad makes defeating them all the more satisfying.
I agree, DA. Villains are fun to write. And making them really bad makes defeating them all the more satisfying. Dark side, definately. Then t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-24:537324:Comment:116852007-03-24T06:10:27.953ZDADavenporthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DADavenport
Dark side, definately. Then the research follows. My villain in my WIP began with a phrase and then, like always, he just started appearing out of a darker recess of my mind. I then did the research on the particular obsession that fuels him. It's odd, but he's easier to write than the protagonists. Besides, I always like the bad guys much more than the good guys. They are meatier and without them to bounce off of, the good guys would have absolutely nothing to do. So, the more evil my villain…
Dark side, definately. Then the research follows. My villain in my WIP began with a phrase and then, like always, he just started appearing out of a darker recess of my mind. I then did the research on the particular obsession that fuels him. It's odd, but he's easier to write than the protagonists. Besides, I always like the bad guys much more than the good guys. They are meatier and without them to bounce off of, the good guys would have absolutely nothing to do. So, the more evil my villain , the more fun the writing.