Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 43 minutes ago
I've been a bit stuck on the villains, or antagonists, in the book I'm writing. I know who they are, but they seem to serve as plot obstacles, rather than creating any real stress for the protagonist.
So how to tackle this? The good news is that Timothy Hickson of Hello Future Me has written an awesome book called On Writing and Worldbuilding that has two great chapters on how to create compelling antagonists. Plus, he also has a video on the topic! youtube.com/watch?v=16eJZmW_cGE
Liked this video? Subscribe at youtube.com/channel/UCcuMeK6Go50kkc1DtGW1qwQ?sub_confirmation=1
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- How do you write strong antagonists? And how do you create a compelling antagonist-protagonist dynamic?
- What would you do in my position - keep working on your antagonists, keep writing and hopefully figure it out as you go, or put your writing project on hold?
TIME STAMPS:
1:53 - Tim's key points in the antagonists discussion
5:30 - Who's who in the world of my story
10:30 - Figuring out my antagonists' motivations
15:39 - Antagonist-protagonist relationships
21:42 - Reviewing my plot - does it still work?? 🤞😅
28:01 - The necessary opponent moment
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Hello Future Me's villains video: youtube.com/watch?v=16eJZmW_cGE
- On Writing and Worldbuilding by Timothy Hickson: amzn.to/32wWBjJ
- The Anatomy of Story by John Truby: amzn.to/32wWLaP
- Overly Sarcastic Productions' nemeses video: youtube.com/watch?v=355MEuxjcNw
- My former struggles with antagonists: youtube.com/watch?v=vAJWMUvgO68
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#writing #antagonists #authortube
I've been a bit stuck on the villains, or antagonists, in the book I'm writing. I know who they are, but they seem to serve as plot obstacles, rather than creating any real stress for the protagonist.
So how to tackle this? The good news is that Timothy Hickson of Hello Future Me has written an awesome book called On Writing and Worldbuilding that has two great chapters on how to create compelling antagonists. Plus, he also has a video on the topic! youtube.com/watch?v=16eJZmW_cGE
Liked this video? Subscribe at youtube.com/channel/UCcuMeK6Go50kkc1DtGW1qwQ?sub_confirmation=1
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- How do you write strong antagonists? And how do you create a compelling antagonist-protagonist dynamic?
- What would you do in my position - keep working on your antagonists, keep writing and hopefully figure it out as you go, or put your writing project on hold?
TIME STAMPS:
1:53 - Tim's key points in the antagonists discussion
5:30 - Who's who in the world of my story
10:30 - Figuring out my antagonists' motivations
15:39 - Antagonist-protagonist relationships
21:42 - Reviewing my plot - does it still work?? 🤞😅
28:01 - The necessary opponent moment
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Hello Future Me's villains video: youtube.com/watch?v=16eJZmW_cGE
- On Writing and Worldbuilding by Timothy Hickson: amzn.to/32wWBjJ
- The Anatomy of Story by John Truby: amzn.to/32wWLaP
- Overly Sarcastic Productions' nemeses video: youtube.com/watch?v=355MEuxjcNw
- My former struggles with antagonists: youtube.com/watch?v=vAJWMUvgO68
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#writing #antagonists #authortube
