We've all read novels where the antagonist leaps off page one, seeking to destroy the MC. Think Voldemort in Harry Potter. JK Rowling paints the picture of a character so evil it can't even be named! Moreover, she does it with a characteristic moment - Voldemort proves his evil intent and ability to overcome Harry by not only killing Harry's parents, but by trying to kill him - a mere babe! Harry will face other antagonists, but they are all controlled by the penultimate baddie, Voldemort.
Other books introduce the antagonist upfront, but we know, somehow, this isn't the ultimate baddie of the story. Like Graceling. Katsa's uncle, the king, forces her to use her gifts to fight and kill for him. Yes, he's her opposing force, but with Kristen Cashore's delicate touch, we feel there's something bigger out there - a creature so vile, so evil it has no face. So when Katsa confronts her uncle within the first few chapters, we're ready... we know a higher level antagonist is waiting in the wings, and now she has some skills to take him/her on.
Other books introduce the antagonist upfront, but we know, somehow, this isn't the ultimate baddie of the story. Like Graceling. Katsa's uncle, the king, forces her to use her gifts to fight and kill for him. Yes, he's her opposing force, but with Kristen Cashore's delicate touch, we feel there's something bigger out there - a creature so vile, so evil it has no face. So when Katsa confronts her uncle within the first few chapters, we're ready... we know a higher level antagonist is waiting in the wings, and now she has some skills to take him/her on.
Do you see the pattern? The layering of antagonists? These two books represent two rich and well-developed worlds, filled with surprising twists. It's obvious the authors dedicated a significant amount of time digging into their characters (JK spent five years!) - both good and bad, and in doing so created a complex and deeper story.
As a writer, I used to loosey-goosey over my antagonists. They were some undefined force, like society's structures, or a poorly sketched baddie. I'm not sure why I never developed my antagonists to the level they deserved. Certainly writing in the first person didn't help.
Now I'm taking my time, filling notebooks on antagonists, writing pages and pages of the baddie's backstory, their dreams, their motivations, and as I world-build and plot, I know I'm honoring my readers by giving them the best well-developed MC's with clear motivations, and antagonists with their own agendas.
So what about you? Got a favorite antagonist? Care to share?
I wish you happy writing!
Sue
As a writer, I used to loosey-goosey over my antagonists. They were some undefined force, like society's structures, or a poorly sketched baddie. I'm not sure why I never developed my antagonists to the level they deserved. Certainly writing in the first person didn't help.
Now I'm taking my time, filling notebooks on antagonists, writing pages and pages of the baddie's backstory, their dreams, their motivations, and as I world-build and plot, I know I'm honoring my readers by giving them the best well-developed MC's with clear motivations, and antagonists with their own agendas.
So what about you? Got a favorite antagonist? Care to share?
I wish you happy writing!
Sue
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