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#IWSG Hero or Villain: Who Narrates the Story?



Join us for the Insecure Writers Support Group at Alex Cavanaugh's blog.

 How's writing going for you? I've limited my writing to psychotherapy case notes lately, though I have joined an inspiring group of authors gearing up for the next IWSG anthology's release on April 30.

 Check out the IWSG Anthologies website to learn more about the first three short stories in Masquerade: Oddly Suited, including excerpts. My baseball catcher and softball pitcher get to know each other in the second post, featuring my story, Behind the Catcher's Mask.

 IWSG Day Question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?

My first-person stories have been exclusively from the heroes' perspectives, probably because I am an upbeat person who roots for the good guy. However, I have delved into the villain's point of view in my third-person stories. One of my favorite parts of writing is exploring character motivation, and what's more interesting than getting inside the head of a villain? The trick is not to make them over-the-top evil. We all have reasons for what we do, and the villain's motivations are as good as any.


Thank you to today's Co-Hosts: 


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Comments

Natalie Aguirre said…
I've never delved into the villain's POV in terms of writing from it. However, I do think we need to know our villains and make them have good motivations for what they do.
March 6, 2019 at 6:36 AM
Alex J. Cavanaugh said…
Villains are real people and just as mixed up as the rest.
Less than two months until Masquerade comes out.
March 6, 2019 at 7:45 AM
S.A. Larsenッ said…
Ooh, I agree with all the fun that goes into cracking the brain of a villain. I love to do that!
March 6, 2019 at 8:51 AM
Nicki Elson said…
I'm sure all of your writing for work will lead you to creative new ideas for characters and stories. Nobody gets in a villain's head like a psychotherapist!

P.S. Hi!!!
March 6, 2019 at 9:58 AM
Chrys Fey said…
Yup. Even villains are human and have other characteristics than being evil.
March 6, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Roland D. Yeomans said…
I've worked hard to make the rationale and arguments of my antagonist, DayStar as swaying as possible. I've told an entire novel through the POV of a killer ... twice: one a fae and another a sociopath who blends in with society using the stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius in order to stay out of prison and under the radar of those around him. Evil always is alluring ... until you get in its way! :-)
March 6, 2019 at 12:24 PM
Fundy Blue said…
Hi, Jennifer! Like you I write from the protagonist's point of view. But I do like to see into the mind of a brilliant antagonist. Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lector is a favorite, second only to Lucifer in Milton's "Paradise Lost." Enjoy your IWSG Day!
March 6, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Tonja Drecker said…
It is fun to peek into the villains, and my favorite are ones I can almost feel sorry for. Can't wait for the anthology release!
March 6, 2019 at 2:09 PM
L. Diane Wolfe said…
The villain always thinks his reasons are good.
March 6, 2019 at 5:42 PM
F. Stone said…
Hi Jen. So glad to hear from you. I'm tempted to write the next novel with a lot more focus on the antagonist's mind. Not sure how much time I want to spend lurking in those dark pages. Hope all is well with you. Blessings
March 8, 2019 at 2:02 AM
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