How to Make a Scary Villain
Creating a villain that is truly terrifying is no easy task. However, by following a few simple guidelines, you can craft a villain that will haunt your readers for years to come.
Give Them an Unusual, Unsympathetic Reason to Hurt or Kill
The most frightening villains are those that have a unique and unsympathetic reason for doing what they do. For example, a villain that kills for money or power is far less frightening than one that kills for revenge or to fulfill a twisted moral code.
Allow Them to Kill Fully Developed Characters
One of the most effective ways to make a villain truly terrifying is to allow them to kill fully developed characters. This will show the readers that the villain is not to be taken lightly and will make them fear what the villain is capable of.
Go Into Detail About the Strange Deeds They Commit
By going into detail about the strange and gruesome deeds that the villain commits, you can create a sense of dread and fear in your readers. This will make them fear the villain and will make them more likely to root for the hero to succeed in defeating them.
Don’t Bog Them Down With Too Many Evil Traits
It is important to remember that a villain should not be over-the-top evil. Too many evil traits can make the villain seem cartoonish and unbelievable. Instead, focus on one or two traits that make the villain truly terrifying.
Don’t Make Them Annoying
The last thing you want to do is make your villain annoying. This will make the readers not take them seriously and will make them less likely to be scared of them. Instead, focus on making the villain mysterious and unpredictable.
Give Them Control of Every Situation
The most frightening villains are those that are in control of every situation. This will make the readers fear the villain and will make them more likely to root for the hero to succeed in defeating them.
By following these simple guidelines, you can create a villain that is truly terrifying and will leave your readers on the edge of their seats.