Writing a villain

[MercyWrites]

Are there any books or websites on the type of weapons a fantasy character would carry? My main character is a soldier in thetwenty-second century. I also like to know of a good book on writing a villain?

[Kitty Pryde]

1. It's fantasy...they can carry a frying pan or a sword-whip or pixie-powered musket. It depends on your setting.

2. If it's in the 22nd century, is it science fiction? In which case, a laser blaster, naturally! Pew pew! But seriously, depends what level of technology you have in your world, and how combat takes place. If soldiers still have to do live close combat in your future, why? And how? See Starship Troopers, Old Man's War, and Forever War for lots of future soldier fun times.

3. "Characters, Emotion and Viewpoint" by Nancy Kress is a good one for writing any type of characters. I like books about different archetypal characters too, I think they helpful when brainstorming characters and their problems.

[efkelley]

There are tons.

If I were you, I'd start here and dig into the referenced works:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_warfare

Section 4 is all about weapons an individual might carry. Typically their kit would be based on their role on the battlefield.

[M.Austin]

Are there any books or websites on the type of weapons a fantasy character would carry? My main character is a soldier in thetwenty-second century. I also like to know of a good book on writing a villain?
I can't think of a book particularly for villains. I did write a blog post (http://williamabell.blogspot.com/2010/01/antagonists.html) about them though. Pretty standard advice, but perhaps it'll help. :)

As for the weapons, are you looking for something that is more fantasy based, or are you looking for something more realistic?

[Juliette Wade]

I'll come into this with the anthropological tack. You say you're looking for weapons for someone in the 22nd century. Where are you talking about? Is it a potential future for our own world? Then weapons will grow out of our conception of advanced weaponry. Is it an alien? Then what are the natural weapons and their history on his/her planet? Is it a post-apocalyptic scenario? That will change things considerably. Try to think through the kinds of self-defense traditions that people follow, and why. The origin of karate, for example, is related to the fact that Okinawans weren't allowed to carry weapons, and wanted to be able to defend themselves anyway.

My advice would be, whatever you choose, make sure it's grounded in the history of the setting.

[MercyWrites]

Thanks everyone. Y'all have been helpful. I have saved the website and the blog. I'll take a look at both tonight. M. Austin, I think I'm looking for both types of weapons. It's a post-apocalyptic scenario. I like your advice, Juliette, and I'll keep it in mind as I write.

[thothguard51]

It's a post-apocalyptic scenario.

1st you will need to decide what technology has been lost. Think Mad Max, The Postman, or others. If a lot of modern technology has been lost, like the ability to refine gunpowder, then your stuck with using whatever devices are still available, like composite bows. It will depending on if society has taken steps back from manufactoring to hand made weapons again...

[C.bronco]

I make some of my villians people I don't like. It's fun to watch them go down! Others, who are more fun and likeable, are based on historical villians.

[dirtsider]

You also have to think of why your villain's doing what he's doing. Is he trying to restore order in a chaotic country and what are his methods? Is he trying to take down an existing government? (Either his own or another country's.) Why? What is he willing to do/risk to complete his task?

Basically, think of all the reasons why your MC might do the things he/she will do and apply it to your villain. As has been stated here many times, the villain is the hero of his own story. Your MC probably just doesn't understand those reasons/motivations.

[MercyWrites]

I really like that idea, C.bronco, and I'll keep your good advice in mind, dirtsider.

[ChakramStrike]

I have a villain who fights with his bare hands usually, but also has energy-based abilities known as ki. He was raised to avoid conflict, so he doesn't fight very often. Still, he could wipe the floor with anyone on the planet, and he doesn't let you forget it.