(Originally posted 1/11/07, Writingscape V1.0. In the spirit of the post’s subject title, I’ve added images of some of my favorite villains who truly needed to cut back on their killing. LOL~)
Back in December, one of the word exercises on the Dragon Writing Prompts blog was to make a list of your villain’s New Year’s resolutions.
Is s/he doing a Grinch-turn and starting anew, turning his/her heinous life around? Or maybe s/he thinks s/he’s been too lenient and the world needs a fresh cleansing? Does she want to lose that hanging gut? Does he need a hair replacement, so that posters and propaganda to the populace make him look more virile and menacing? Or…?
The prompt cracked me up and I had fun with it, but what I’ve come to realize is that by doing this prompt truly in my Fantasy WIP villain’s head, I’ve added another dimension to his personality that I never would have thought to explore. I have another dynamic to use in the story to help flesh him out even more.
And that’s what it’s all about, right? Making the bad guy so real (and identifiable) that he hovers right off the page?
What would your villain’s list of New Year’s resolutions be? Check them out, and marvel. If nothing else, you’ll add a few more years to your own life by busting a gut laughing.
(Thanks, Joyce.)
A prosperous and phenomenal 2015 to you all, fellow bloggers and readers! You’ve entertained me, opened my eyes to things, encouraged me and made my life richer and more dynamic over these past six months, and I thank you for that. 🙂
Manuscript. Head. Drawer. 
I find it difficult to envision the villain in my novel wanting to become a better person… it’s certainly something to contemplate though. Everyone wants to change in some way, don’t they?
Have a wonderful new year, Stephe! It was great meeting you in 2014!
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I get exactly what you’re saying, Linda. One of my villains wouldn’t be caught dead trying to go good. His New Year’s resolution would be to add to his body count. That would be bettering himself, LOL!
It was wonderful meeting you, too. Hoping your new year is prosperous and fulfilling. 🙂
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