Antagonists are tricky. Too little work, and the antagonist comes across flat. A flat antagonist is easy and boring, because he or she won’t push the protagonist hard enough. Plus there’s that practice of making fleshed out characters and having interesting three-dimensional people, blah blah.
We all know the saying: Every villain is his own hero. Though I wrote these questions and prompts with famous antagonists in mind, you could actually pose them to your protagonist or other characters (just switch out the protagonist-themed questions for antagonist-themed) and it will still work.
I’ve always found it most helpful to answer questionnaires in my character’s voice, so I have written this addressing your antagonist directly. Try to answer in the way he or she would. You’ll uncover hidden backstory, depth, and softness in your antagonist.
But remember – even something “soft” (like empathy) can be a terrible motivator.
Your Antagonist’s Backstory
Hurting people hurt others. What hurt you?
When was the first time you were frightened by something you did?
When was the first time you experienced pain?
What is the most painful thing you have ever gone through?
Do you have a mentor, or someone you’ve modeled yourself after? Who is it, and why are they so compelling?
Have you killed anyone? Who was the first person you killed? (Alternatively: Who is the person you’ve hurt most?)
When did you feel the most humiliated by someone else?
Tell me about a time you faced rejection.
Is there something you’ve said or done you wish you could take back?
Who (or what) do you miss?
What’s one thing you can never forgive? (Could be an event in the past, or a character trait like lying.)
When did you feel the most accomplished or successful?
When have you felt helpless?
What was the first lie you told? What do you lie about most often?
Your Antagonist’s Habits
What do you do to relax?
Where do you go when you want to feel like you belong? If you can’t get there, where would you like to go?
What do you like to read? What shows do you watch?
What do you daydream about?
What is your weapon of choice? How did you learn to use it?
When you feel uncomfortable, what do you do to cover it up?
What sort of clothes do you wear? Would you make changes to your wardrobe if you could?
Do you have any unusual or advanced skills?
How do you like to approach a problem?
Your Antagonist’s Personal Life
Who are your parents? Do you have any siblings? Are they still alive?
Who (or what) is one person (or thing/ideal) you would never harm?
Who (or what) do you love? Would you call it love?
What is one secret you’ve never told anyone? Would you consider revealing it to another character? If so, who?
What lie do you tell yourself?
What is one silly thing you’re afraid of?
Tell me about your dream vacation.
What is one fault in others you just can’t stand?
What type of people do you like to be around (if any)?
What about you do you feel other people misunderstand?
“Oh, well if that was the only thing bothering you, I can fix that.”
“What?”
“Preferably, if you give me your parents’ identities, I can get rid of them right now. Otherwise, I’d have to systematically get rid of all this city’s parents with kids who are roughly your age, gender, and ethnicity. It’d take me a while, but it’ll be worth it to have you as my kid.”
1. “Well, as far as I know, it was started in New York. It arranges hits on, well, I guess whoever it wants. Dante is the main man in charge, but I mostly deal with his second in command, Roger. I don’t have a last name. He’s tall and thin, long black ponytail and wire-rim glasses.” First sentence where he’s mentioned.
2. Since this is for a character I’ll say type of OC: Villain, irredeemable asshole, really fucking smart and powerful
3. Roger van Stratton, looks in his 50s is like thousands of years old. Up there with Than and Miyu.
4. His first line of dialogue is a convo with Ciaran: “Alright, did we get to the elevator? Definitely, thinkin’ hospital or somethin’.”
“I was thinking morgue.” The voice was deep and polished like a pair of Italian loafers and 1,000 percent, not Hope’s.
Imaginethe Bug getting distracted by your pheromones.
Unfortunately, Kerb didn’t have his Edgar suit on. He wasn’t really sure to court you, anyway. You looked like a human, but the chemical signals wafting from your smaller frame were driving him crazy. Upon closer examination, it was clear you weren’t hiding inside someone’s skin.
Kerb couldn’t help imagining what it must be like to run his tarsi over your soft features while mounting you. He wasn’t sure you could crossbeed. But still, you’d make a nice receptacle for his sperm.
Imagine trying to have a moment with the Predator.
He took off his mask, revealing another- No, revealing an inhumanly alluring face. The speckled complexion, the strong mandibles, the golden eyes in obsidian sockets. All of it was gorgeous to you.
“You’re beautif-”
“You are one ugly motherfucker,” remarked Dutch, staring straight ahead.
Imagine doing the projector operator in his booth while Daughter of Horror’s playing. The Blob apparently liked your performance was satisfying, because he leaves you two alone before continuing its rampage.
You are the weakest member of a famous superheros family. Villains kidnapped you for a ransom, unfortunately hostage situations don’t work when your family is already neglecting you…
“I’m telling you, they aren’t going to come,” you says in a bored tone, and your captives ignore you again. A few weeks later, they are beginning to believe you, and the lead Villain does not appreciate this.
“You are literally the smartest person in the compound! You could overthrow them with one plot! I don’t understand why they don’t want you!” So mad, the villain unties you and your freedom is granted, but you decide to stay there, they treated you better than your family ever did anyway. Hanging out with Villains isn’t as cool as one would hope though, they keep having to move and your family keeps attacking them. Finally, the lead Villain comes to you, and asks for your help. You promise to help them win one battle if they give you a new suit and a new supername. They quickly agree to your terms. Your powers might be weaker than your families, but that just meant you had to rely more on your brain, making you whip smart and really good at plots.
The Villain allows you to pick your suit, this one doesn’t match your family and you actually decide to pick your favorite colors, blue and white. This makes the villains laugh, as you have fire powers. They also let you dye your hair, something your parents strongly disapproved of. After the makeover, you feel like YOU and the Villains can tell, you just seem more vibrant and more cared for. Setting out, you begin fighting your mom, and she doesn’t even recognize you. All you did was dye your hair and your own mother doesn’t recognize you. Trying not to feel to disheartened by this, you finish out the fight strong, and the Villains finally win. They all start cheering and hugging you, celebrating. Shocked that they acknowledge your help and your part, you forget to celebrate for a minute, a small tear rolling your cheek. You may have just defeated your biological family, but the warm feeling in your stomach says you just helped your real family win.
