Write a Great Antagonist

Craft compelling stories with a three-dimensional antagonist! This workshop dives deep into the art of creating a truly memorable and effective villain. It's more than just writing a bad guy – you'll learn to build an antagonist who poses a genuine threat to your narrative and resonates with readers.

Learn to:

• Distinguish between villains and antagonists: Understand the crucial difference and why both are essential for a captivating plot.
• Design antagonists tailored to your story: Develop characters specifically designed to challenge your protagonist and drive the plot forward.
• Humanize your antagonist: Go beyond simple evil and create a complex, three-dimensional character with relatable motivations.
• Establish a credible threat: Learn techniques to make your antagonist feel like a real danger to the protagonist's goals.
• Explore common villain archetypes: Discover classic villain types with insightful examples to inspire your own creations.
• Utilize opposing forces: Master the art of conflict when "good" characters clash.
• Develop internal antagonists: Write characters who are their own worst enemies, creating compelling internal struggles.
• Employ external antagonists: Learn how to use forces of nature, societal pressures, or other external factors as antagonists.
• And much more!

Course Resources:

• Detailed class notes to accompany each video lecture.
• A comprehensive workbook for designing your antagonist.
• An extensive, annotated list of recommended reading and viewing materials with explanations of their value.

Downloadable materials are available under the "Projects and Resources" tab, located beneath the videos on the right side of the screen. Note: Downloads are not available when accessing the course via the Skillshare mobile app.