Today we’ll be practicing our evil laughs with the wonderful and hilarious Candace Knoebel, author of the young adult BORN IN FLAMES novel. Be sure to check out her book. It’s stunning, isn’t it? Take it away, Candace!
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AHHHH! Darth Vader is back … again!!! Oh no, what should we do? Run? Hide? But where do we hide in the cyber world?
I know! Disney!!! Let’s all go to Disney since they bought out Star Wars. Maybe Mickey will become Vader! That’s not so scary, right?
Huh?
I digress. So I wanted to write a post today about writing Villains, hence the photo of me with Vader. Why you may be wondering? Well, because in From the Embers, the last book in the Born in Flames trilogy, I am really digging deep into my villains character.
Zordon. Ooooooh, say it again. Zordon.
Yes, that is the name of my evil, scary villain. But what I have found as a writer, is that it isn’t always easy to write a villain, especially if you aren’t the evil sort. But then again, as a writer, aren’t you a lot of every sort?
Anywho, you have to dig deep when writing about a complex character such as a villain. In some ways, a villain can be more complex than your protagonist. They have to have a reason for going dark. That reason has to be deep and twisted. It’s sad really. You spend all of your time building up your character, only to break them down again and again.
Get to the point!
My point is, I’ve been Aurora and everyone else for so long, I have to ensure that Zordon’s voice is unique. I have to be dark instead of light and that’s not easy for me. I have to become Zordon. How do I do it?
Well … here are ten steps that I came up with. Steps that will make even the boogeyman scream!
- Put on all black. Black is scary. Well, it can be scary. If you have a trench coat, that would work even better!
- Practice your evil laugh. Muhahahaha! No, try again, I wasn’t moved by that. MUHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, now we’re talking.
- Try answering every question, just for the day with, “Off with your HEAD!”
- Watch really deep, dark movies. Pay attention to the antagonist and how he/she responds.
- Listen to somber, angry music.
- Sneer … a lot.
- Eat all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms and leave it out for some innocent person to eat who just wants me lucky charms.
- Change your salt shaker out with sugar. Make sure you snicker when you do this.
- Poke holes in all the umbrellas and then rub your hands together evilly.
- Swiper yes Swiping instead of Swiper no Swiping. For those who are stuck watching Dora.
Okay … again … maybe these aren’t the serious tips you are looking for. But I have a hard time being serious! Especially when tips are mostly opinions. I can guarantee that you will get a good laugh though.
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I just love authors with a sense of humor, and Candace doesn’t disappoint. Her novel’s on my to be reviewed list and I can’t wait to get to it!
You can find more of Candace on her blog.
-The Story Addict
Now I know who to blame for my marshmallowless box of lucky charms!
And does it say something about me that I have no problem writing villians? I actually kind of prefer them, they’re so much more complex and interesting sometimes. Hrrm, why am I rubbing my hands together and sneering? Well, time to go I see a baby with some candy I want
They are very fun to write. Glad they come naturally to you! Thanks for the thoughts, Michael
You’ve really done your homework! Evil as evil can be.
This is off topic but Born in Flames has an awesome cover.
I’ll be sure to put on all black and sneer a lot when creating my next villain
Lol, yes, it does. Thanks, Emma!
Haha this is a great list, I’ve definitely shoted Swiper yes swiping sometimes when stuck watching Dora with my little sisters!
Creating a villain can be a challenege but the important thing is to have fun with it
Thanks for the thoughts, Patrice! Very true
Thank you for having me!!! It was a blast to write…muhahahaha!
No problem! Thanks, Candance! *insert evil emoticon*