Years ago, I read where villain characters see themselves as heroes in their own stories.
By: Grant P. Ferguson
Last Updated: June 18, 2024
I never appreciated the importance of this concept until I began writing from multiple points of view.
Your Villain Character’s Perspective
In the movie Goldfinger (1964), James Bond thinks and acts like a hero. But so does the chief villain character, Auric Goldfinger.
There are many memorable scenes. I love where the evil nemesis bound the British agent to a gold slab and played slice and dice using a giant industrial laser.
As the beam inched closer, Bond’s head pivoted up from the burning metal toward Goldfinger. “Do you expect me to talk?”
Goldfinger stopped his departure and faced 007. “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.”
The scenes leading up to that moment showed how Goldfinger enjoyed a multidimensional life beyond his love of gold:
- cards
- relationships
- golf
- travel
- work
Several scenes remind audiences it’s difficult running an international smuggling operation, and even the most evil villain deserves his share of diversions.
Your Supporting Cast Members
Besides villain characters, consider how supporting cast members star as heroes in their stories. Open up exciting possibilities in your novel by using their star perspectives to shape how they think, choose, talk, and act.
Create Villains with this Free Character Template
The Trellis Method Bundle includes the paid version of Character Template with visual aids, Character Flaws Glossary, and detailed graphics.
However, if you want an example of what the combination of the workbook and prompt-driven worksheet can do for you, check out this free Character Template.
Use the detailed character profile to define your story’s cast and their backstories, giving readers what they crave—thoughts, speech, choices, and actions that convey realistic emotions and believable reactions.
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What process do you use to make sure your villain creates plenty of conflicts for your hero?
6 responses to “Villain Characters Are Heroes in Their Stories”
I’ve never seen a Bond movie, but that particular scene has been parodied so much in pop culture, I feel like I have! Great points about side characters and villains, Grant!
They’re fun, Kate. Amazon Prime rotates the Bond films, giving us the opportunity to binge decades of master villains versus various actors playing 007. While the formula remains unchanged, the cultural influences are also fun to watch. Plus, you’ll see other writing techniques we now take for granted, such as Pet the Dog (i.e., Save the Cat).
Husby and I rewatched Goldfinger over the holiday. That is a great line–“No Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.” They don’t make movies like that anymore.
One of my all time favorites, too!
Villains with a multidimensional life are fun to write!
So true, Priscilla! More than a few top authors start with the Villain before developing their protagonist, and the interaction between the hero and villain serves as the playground of bestsellers.