Ten Writing Tips for Creating an Antagonist

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Even if you are here for writing tips for creating an antagonist, you may still think your protagonist is the most important part of your book. Think again. Your story is only as good as your antagonist—the character standing in the way of your protagonist and his goals. The antagonist is the story’s engine. He needs to be just as interesting and richly layered, but too often we write antagonists that are flat and predictable.

writing tips for creating antagonistsSo what are some writing tips for creating antagonists? How do we develop an antagonist who is interesting, entertaining, one who will cause us to shiver, shake, yet feel more for him than loathing? How do we make our readers almost root for the antagonist, make him so well rounded the reader connects to and believes the antagonist is as real as any other character in the story?

Here are ten creative writing tips for developing antagonists worthy of your protagonist and story:

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #1

Do the same amount of work to develop your antagonist as you do your protagonist. Develop the same amount of backstory. Know your antagonist. Give him a life before he hits the first page of your book.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #2

Make sure your antagonist (like your protagonist) has a goal. He believes he is on the only possible path and his goal is noble. He is the hero of his own story and wants something that he has thought about, considered and has decided to go after. Preferably the opposite of what your protagonist wants, or perhaps he wants the same thing so must clash with your protagonist to get it. Goals are key for both the protagonist and antagonist. And make sure they clash!

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #3

Write in your antagonist’s point of view, even if his POV is never in your book. Write in his voice—first person—as if he’s talking to you. Let him tell you how he feels, what he wants, what he’s planning. You will engage a close connection that your readers will sense, whether or not this particular writing goes into your manuscript.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #4

Make sure your antagonist—at least in his own mind—has justification for everything he does. He has to believe he’s in the right, otherwise, your reader won’t feel he’s real and will disconnect. To make him believable, be sure he believes in himself and every step he takes.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #5

As Donald Maass suggests in Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, outline your book from the antagonist’s point of view. Not every scene, but give him an outline with steps throughout the story so you clearly see the path he will take through your book. Whether you do it at the beginning, middle, or end of writing your book, this is a wonderful way to strengthen conflict in your story.

Still with me? We are halfway through our writing tips for developing antagonists.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #6

Speaking of outlining steps, do so emotionally for your antagonist as well. Give your antagonist a character arc. If your antagonist changes throughout the story, he’ll have readers in the palm of his hand. Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series is a terrific example of this. We see him grow throughout the series, sometimes in bad ways, sometimes in good. Readers want to experience your story world through your protagonist, but give them an emotional experience from your antagonist’s side as well, and they will engage and care about your story.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #7

Remember your antagonist doesn’t have to be a villain. In Light on Snow by Anita Shreve, the protagonist, Nicky, is a pre-teen who has suffered a terrible tragedy (she lost her mom and baby sister in an auto accident) and all she wants a normal life. She shares her life (and the tragedy) with her father who drags her away from all she knows and sets up their home far from civilization. He has the same goal for his daughter—to give her as normal a life as possible—but because of his own pain, he can’t see clearly how to give Nicky what she so desperately needs. He is an antagonist who we not only understand, but our hearts ache for him and Nicky both.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #8

Add emotional danger to what your antagonist does. Make your reader feel what the repercussions will be for your protagonist. Bertrand from Sarah’s Key is a husband who is at a point in life where he doesn’t want a child. There are skeletons in his family’s closet, and he wants them to stay put. He and his wife Julia tread carefully through their marriage, and her digging into the events at the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup will tip the balance. Is Bertrand self-centered? Sure. Evil? Not at all. We absolutely understand Julia’s dilemma and it draws us right in.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #9

If your antagonist is evil, give him charm or make him funny. Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs is fascinating, and as he helps Clarice, the reader wishes he wasn’t a psychopathic murderous cannibal. He’s such great company, we’d love to share dinner conversation with him. As long as we aren’t the main course. As a character he was so entertaining and well-liked, he got his own book.

Creating an Antagonist Writing Tip #10

If you have a huge, social issue antagonist, give it a character name and face. Build a character that embodies all aspects of the social issue. Racial bigotry of the early 1960’s becomes Hilly Holbrook in The Help. Political abuse of power is epitomized in President Snow from The Hunger Games (in fact, many of the secondary characters in that book embody different negative aspects of society). A reader loves a character to hate, so give ’em what they want!

By implementing these ten writing tips for creating antagonists, your antagonist will be as fascinating, strong and compelling as your protagonist, and you will be on your way to writing a great book!

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Award-winning novelist Kathy Steffen teaches fiction writing and speaks at writing programs across the country. Additionally, Kathy is also published in short fiction and pens a monthly writing column, Between the Lines. Her books, FIRST THERE IS A RIVER, JASPER MOUNTAIN and THEATER OF ILLUSION are available online and at bookstores everywhere. Check out more at www.kathysteffen.com

37 Comments

  3. I have built mine on a real dude in northern Wisconsin who hides behind the vocation of a veterinarian. he’s bad but does good as a cover up.

    THANKS for all you do for us writers Kathy!

  5. Great stuff! I am writing a book and looking for a way to lighten up my antagonist. I need kids to be afraid but also to laugh. I got some great tips in this blog.

  6. Great post! These are excellent tips. I’ve used some of them already, but the others will help me take my antagonists to the next level. Thanks!

  7. Thanks Rick! That is a terrific way to go with a kids book antagonist–scary with some humor. Good luck–it sounds like you are writing a wonderful book.

  8. Thanks Dana! I have to tell you, I never regret the work I do on my antagonist. You are right, taking one to the next level always ends up with a much better book, IMHO. As a reader I find a well-developed antagonist connects me even more strongly to the protagonist and the story.

  14. Rae

    I cannot tell you enough how helpful I found these tips. I think the one that was the most useful in my case was number four, as it is the one I’ve had the most trouble with. I never realized my antagonist has yet to have any justification for his actions (or even that he needed any)!
    This was a great help to me, and many other writers I’m sure. I loved reading it as well as learning from it, and I hope I can use these tips to alter my antagonist to a more understandable villain. Isn’t it amazing how often we forget how important the antagonist is, all because we focus too much on our protagonist?

    Thank you so much for writing this, Kathy! It’s absolutely wonderful!

  15. Thanks Rae! My story really takes off when I pay attention to my antagonist, and you are absolutely right that with all the attention to the protagonist, it’s really easy to forget the other main driver of the story–the antagonist. Thank you for your comments!

  17. April Counts

    Thank you for a well thought out article. This presented some advice that I had not considered, and it will help me flesh out my antagonist.

  18. M

    So much great advice! After hitting a real block in my bad guy, this was refreshingly inspiring.

  20. Samantha

    Writing my first book! I had already developed my antagonist before even starting to type my first words. I am still in the beginning of the book and found your tips to help take a second look at his motives.

  21. Congratulations on making the commitment to write your first book, Samantha! It’s terrific to develop your antagonist early on–so good for you. Good luck, and glad this helped!

  23. Sara

    Wow, I hadn’t even thought of half of this before I read it, thank you for helping me to see what I needed to know for my book. Now my only problem is finding ulterior motives for my antagonist and his lust for power. I don’t want it to become just another ‘he took over because he enjoys ruling’ or something of the sort. Any ideas?

  24. Sara, glad it got your creative juices burning. The motivation for your antagonist will be in his past. Think of the backstory–what happened in his life when he didn’t have any power. Was it from his childhood? What is an event that made him believe the only way for him to survive was to have power? Link the need for power with an internal fear stemming from something in his past–either an event or his life circumstances, and you will have deep, meaningful motivations. You may either reveal what happened to him or better yet, allude to it and if you reveal, make it later in the story. Once it’s set in your mind, the antagonist’s actions and motivations will feel real to your reader. Thanks for your comment!

  26. maria

    Good article, but the word “elude” doesn’t apply here.(3rd line from end) It means to escape — I think you may mean refer or hint or make an allusion.

  28. D. Bravin

    This is the best book advice I’ve ever read. I’ve been thinking for years of writing a book but I’m so afraid of failure. Something missing was the lesson you taught about the antagonist in the book that really helps to shape the motions of good versus evil. Thank you so much.

  29. emma

    Thought this article included great writing advice about creating conflict in a story. Thanks a mil.

  31. Michelle

    I’m really just beginning to think I’m good enough just like anyone else, to write and I absolutely love it. I’ve been writing for years, but finally able to start putting myself out there. This advice is amazing. A previous comment was made about not even thinking about half of your advice and that’s so true for me as well. I hope to be able to share my work with a group of other writers. It would be such an honor. Thank you for the great tips. I’ll be sure to use them. A little side note, Hannibal Lecter is one of my absolute favorites. 🙂

  32. Enormously enjoyed this article :), keep up the great
    authorship and I’ll keep coming back for more. Will be sharing this with my instagram followers and I’m sure they’ll enjoy it as well!

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