CREATE A BAD GUY/GAL READERS LOVE TO HATE: Olive Branch

In mystery and thriller writing, the protagonist (a detective, private investigator, federal agent, average citizen, etc.) is often pitted against an antagonist whose motives are heinous. The reader follows the narrative with great interest, waiting for the moment when the protagonist and the antagonist will have their final confrontation.  

Readers expect the protagonist to be an interesting, flawed character who experiences “raised stakes” on their way to solving the mystery. However, readers also expect the antagonist to be equally complex, with flaws and motivations in direct opposition to those of the protagonist.  

Writers often spend a great deal of time developing the protagonist, but how can that same attention be given to creating a complex villain that readers are going to “love to hate?” This workshop examines strategies and techniques that mystery/thriller writers can use to creating a complex, interesting, and passionate villain that will be worthy of challenging the protagonist physically and/or emotionally. Attendees should expect a short writing exercise at the beginning and at the end of the workshop. 

This workshop made possible by a project grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.