How Do You Like Villain(s)?

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Ehab.Ahmed

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First off, if this thread's been made before (I know I tried searching) Mods please lock it or remove it or do whatever you like with it.

As the title suggests, how do you like villains? I'm in the plotting phase of my WIP and have tons of ideas floating around my head about my villain(s) and would like to get some feed back from you guys. I really value your opinions.

Now, in my story, there are a group of authority who control people (generally in a good way, but have hidden agenda). There's a character that controls one of this group. (actually the group is tiered and he controls one of the lowest tier). Now, how this character and the leader of the said group (who has a hidden agenda as I said earlier) relate and/or affect each other is still undecided.

Would it be better to have the villain be the character or the leader of the group?
I know it's up to me and how I envision my plot, but I want some feedback to help me decide.

Now, I could make a grand-scale war between the group leader and the character who's gathering soldiers to fight him. Or just make one of the two be the villain. Which is better? (I know it's relative, but share your thoughts anyways)
 
cptwentworth

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Here's quite a few posts recently that deal with some of the same questions you're asking. You might want to go through a few of these to see if they apply to what you're asking.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4423&highlight=villians

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159421&highlight=villians

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149089&highlight=villians

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148956&highlight=villians

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143207&highlight=villians

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140621&highlight=villians

Good luck!
 
Ehab.Ahmed

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Thanks for your reply and for those links. I would've preferred a more relevant answer to my particular plot, but I'll manage I think. Thanks anyway.
 
katiemac

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If you're looking for particulars about your plot, go ahead and post in The Sandbox. The forum's designed for manuscript-specific feedback without being a critique like Share Your Work.
 
defcon6000

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I don't like labeling them as "villains"; I prefer morally conflicted characters. :D
 
Ehab.Ahmed

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People can be sometimes biased in how they view some people. What seems to me a good man with good justifiable motives, may seem to another a bad man that has no business doing what they've done. Humans are truly fascinating creatures.
 
Ehab.Ahmed

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Someone close this thread. It's getting off track and serves no purpose to me anymore. I needed feedback on my plot's villain, but that's not happening. I think I'll repost at the Sandbox.
 
Rowan

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Now, in my story, there are a group of authority who control people (generally in a good way, but have hidden agenda). There's a character that controls one of this group. (actually the group is tiered and he controls one of the lowest tier). Now, how this character and the leader of the said group (who has a hidden agenda as I said earlier) relate and/or affect each other is still undecided.

Would it be better to have the villain be the character or the leader of the group?
I know it's up to me and how I envision my plot, but I want some feedback to help me decide.

Now, I could make a grand-scale war between the group leader and the character who's gathering soldiers to fight him. Or just make one of the two be the villain. Which is better? (I know it's relative, but share your thoughts anyways)
Click to expand...

I think it would be more interesting if the character who controls the lower tier of this group is the villain. He's more likely to be power hungry and manipulative, etc. The leader is already "on top" and you could easily make him/her overlook (miss) certain things, like the fact this other bloke is gathering an army. Especially if the other character is sucking up to him/her and appears to be loyal, etc. You said how they relate is still up in the air but you could go either way --- have them be at each other's throats (competitive and view each other as threats) OR the leader could be grooming this other character for bigger and better things thinking they're loyal/great potential and all that rot.
When things start to go south, misdirected blame and all that!

Good luck. I agree w/KatieMac --- try posting in the sandbox as you'll find a lot of people floating around in there tossing out ideas. :)
 
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Ehab.Ahmed

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Thanks, Rowan. I really appreciate this. I'll consider what you've suggested and also try posting in the Sandbox.
 
jodiodi

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Sorry for the de-rail. It was my fault. I just posted the first thought that came to mind. Villians made me think of my favorite villain: Hannibal Lecter from the movie version of Silence of the Lambs.

Which, of course, brought to mind his "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti" comment.

Poor attempt at humor on my part. I apologize for the derail.

However, he is a good example of the villains I like:urbane, sophisticated, with his own sense of honor. I also like villains like Hans from Die Hard.
 
Ehab.Ahmed

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jodiodi said:
Sorry for the de-rail. It was my fault. I just posted the first thought that came to mind. Villians made me think of my favorite villain: Hannibal Lecter from the movie version of Silence of the Lambs.

Which, of course, brought to mind his "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti" comment.

Poor attempt at humor on my part. I apologize for the derail.

However, he is a good example of the villains I like:urbane, sophisticated, with his own sense of honor. I also like villains like Hans from Die Hard.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your apology. But I didn't take it personally, it was my own bad title wording that made the confusion. I appreciate your input. I was thinking of Lecter as a basis for one of the MCs. Now that you said that you liked him as a villain, I might actually consider him for real. Thanks again :)
 
backslashbaby

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I was totally going to post "With fava beans and a nice Chianti"!

And to be relevant, I like two types of evil with no warring (unless it's subtle or inescapable). I love works with two villians who are just who they are. Like Hannibal not caring much about Buffalo Bill. They were both fascinating and there was no hint of cliche.
 
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