: Re: How do I write a compelling villain-all-along twist? I have in mind a character who is the protagonist's trusted ally throughout the story, but it is revealed at the end that he was the primary

There is a distinction between what the audience can logically deduce and what the audience is emotionally rooting for. The latter can make them blind to the former.

A recent example is (Game of Thrones, TV final season -- SPOILER!):

Daenerys Targaryen. She has committed many brutal murders and is becoming more and more unhinged, fixated on the iron throne, and self-important when judging those who stand in her way. If we were to pause and think analytically, we might very well predict the sacking of King's Landing. However, we are rooting for her to be a hero, and when she commits one of the foulest deeds of the story (even by GoT standards), it is a shock. Surprising yet inevitable.

So, you can start giving weak logical hints that your character is the villain, while you give what appears to be stronger actual evidence that (s)he is a hero. But you are not hiding these two possibilities from your audience, rather, you try to make them care. If you are able to develop the character to the point where the audience is emotionally invested and rooting for the character to be a hero, now they will be willing to ignore much stronger evidence to the contrary. (And so, when the reveal comes, it is surprising yet inevitable.)

Load Full (0)

: Should I include an appendix for inessential, yet related worldbuilding to my story? I'm of the opinion that a story should stand on its own; any worldbuilding that is necessary for the plot

@Megan928

Load Full 4 Comments

: How do I prevent my stories from feeling rushed? Many of the short stories that I write feel too short. Now, I know that there's nothing wrong with a (very) short story, but often I feel

@Megan928

Load Full 2 Comments

: Frodo had a happy ending. He stopped apocalypse, saved his friends, his people and the world, and then gained admission to the Undying land. Tony Stark in End Game is a happy ending.

@Megan928

Load Full 0 Comments

: Is there a writing style I can use to show "the result that appeared is contrary to the expectation"? I'm wondering if there is a English writing technique or style I can use to show that

: Re: How do I write a compelling villain-all-along twist? I have in mind a character who is the protagonist's trusted ally throughout the story, but it is revealed at the end that he was the primary

More posts by @Megan928

: Should I include an appendix for inessential, yet related worldbuilding to my story? I'm of the opinion that a story should stand on its own; any worldbuilding that is necessary for the plot

: How do I prevent my stories from feeling rushed? Many of the short stories that I write feel too short. Now, I know that there's nothing wrong with a (very) short story, but often I feel

: Frodo had a happy ending. He stopped apocalypse, saved his friends, his people and the world, and then gained admission to the Undying land. Tony Stark in End Game is a happy ending.

: Is there a writing style I can use to show "the result that appeared is contrary to the expectation"? I'm wondering if there is a English writing technique or style I can use to show that

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top