Hello everyone,
One of the story ideas I'm working on (have already outlined it) is a novel about George Washington during the French and Indian War. It's a compelling time of his life - one that is the subject of a current nonfiction book on the market (Blooding at Great Meadows by Alan Axelrod).
There's one problem with a novelization of Washington's early years. There's no villain - at least not for the military/action side of the story, which is my focus. Washington's mother, Mary, DOES serve as somewhat of an antagonist, but she's not really a villain.
It seems far more attractive - from a dramatic standpoint - to have a hostile, more military villain for Washington to square off against, seeing as how the key scenes in my story are mostly battle scenes.
So, can I create a villain?
For those unfamiliar with the F&I War, Washington squared off against several French officers and Indian leaders. What I'm wondering is if I can draw up a composite character based on these real characters - and then exaggerate his villainy, like they did with Tarleton (turning him into Tavington) in The Patriot.
Is this permissible? Is it okay to create a villain?
One of the story ideas I'm working on (have already outlined it) is a novel about George Washington during the French and Indian War. It's a compelling time of his life - one that is the subject of a current nonfiction book on the market (Blooding at Great Meadows by Alan Axelrod).
There's one problem with a novelization of Washington's early years. There's no villain - at least not for the military/action side of the story, which is my focus. Washington's mother, Mary, DOES serve as somewhat of an antagonist, but she's not really a villain.
It seems far more attractive - from a dramatic standpoint - to have a hostile, more military villain for Washington to square off against, seeing as how the key scenes in my story are mostly battle scenes.
So, can I create a villain?
For those unfamiliar with the F&I War, Washington squared off against several French officers and Indian leaders. What I'm wondering is if I can draw up a composite character based on these real characters - and then exaggerate his villainy, like they did with Tarleton (turning him into Tavington) in The Patriot.
Is this permissible? Is it okay to create a villain?
