Writing villains
A reader in the US, who has only read the first three books, commented to me that the third book is his favourite. Of course, I asked him why?
"Because I get to know the villain a lot better."
I've started thinking about that recently, because it rings true for something that's happening with the sixth book. For a long time I couldn't get a handle on the motivation of one of the villains in the sixth book. The other two were understandable, if not exactly the most thrilling personalities; but this one was elusive. For a while, I thought the motivation was love, as part of a gay relationship. Then that it was infatuation. Then something more complex than either of those. And then, something happened that turned that round completely: not only is it not a gay relationship, it isn't a sexual relationship. And the shadowy character is the lynchpin in the plot. She is also the most exciting villain I've written about to date.
And she's taken a long time appearing. It's been a hard road. I knew, early on in this book, that I had to get to grips with shamanism. Then with Finnish shamanism. (Why? I guess because the 'magicians' of Finland were always the experts in the old Icelandic sagas, in the same way that the magicians of the Hebrides were the experts in the ancient Irish tales.)
I know nothing about Finland, except an abiding love for the music of Sibelius and knowing they like saunas. Or, rather - I knew nothing about Finland. LOL! But it turns out it isn't just finland - I had to find out about the Sami, as well.
So, here I am, months later, with a host of internet sites captured on Zotero, which I regularly consult. I find the mythologies fascinating. But it seems to have taken months to absorb all this. Once I did, the character of my villain and her motivation began to emerge, almost fully formed.
Looking back, it seems as though the villains take more and more of the stage with every book I write. Oh, I was always interested in motivation. But, initially, a realistic motivation and a good plot was sufficient. Now, with the sixth book, it feels as though the main villain is taking over.
You know, if she stays alive, I might even want to write about her again. But, at this stage, I have no idea whether she lives or dies. :)
"Because I get to know the villain a lot better."
I've started thinking about that recently, because it rings true for something that's happening with the sixth book. For a long time I couldn't get a handle on the motivation of one of the villains in the sixth book. The other two were understandable, if not exactly the most thrilling personalities; but this one was elusive. For a while, I thought the motivation was love, as part of a gay relationship. Then that it was infatuation. Then something more complex than either of those. And then, something happened that turned that round completely: not only is it not a gay relationship, it isn't a sexual relationship. And the shadowy character is the lynchpin in the plot. She is also the most exciting villain I've written about to date.
And she's taken a long time appearing. It's been a hard road. I knew, early on in this book, that I had to get to grips with shamanism. Then with Finnish shamanism. (Why? I guess because the 'magicians' of Finland were always the experts in the old Icelandic sagas, in the same way that the magicians of the Hebrides were the experts in the ancient Irish tales.)
I know nothing about Finland, except an abiding love for the music of Sibelius and knowing they like saunas. Or, rather - I knew nothing about Finland. LOL! But it turns out it isn't just finland - I had to find out about the Sami, as well.
So, here I am, months later, with a host of internet sites captured on Zotero, which I regularly consult. I find the mythologies fascinating. But it seems to have taken months to absorb all this. Once I did, the character of my villain and her motivation began to emerge, almost fully formed.
Looking back, it seems as though the villains take more and more of the stage with every book I write. Oh, I was always interested in motivation. But, initially, a realistic motivation and a good plot was sufficient. Now, with the sixth book, it feels as though the main villain is taking over.
You know, if she stays alive, I might even want to write about her again. But, at this stage, I have no idea whether she lives or dies. :)