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?
I have so many though! Guess that means I can choose. So I’ll talk some more about some characters I don’t talk about a lot like… Clove? Yeah, I’ll talk about Clove.
1. Their voice
I don’t think too much over it. I always have an idea but it’s a voice I made up in my had. If I were to choose one though from what I know… Basically imagine Nah from Fire Emblem Awakening (English voice).
4. Their insecurities
She gains one notable on in this story I’m thinking of involving her, Elio and Alter since she decides to act as a knight towards Elio. She’s afraid she can’t help him in the same way Alter can considering she uses a spear and boomerang for battle and Alter has magic. She decided on this too much on a whim, and yet she feels like she has to because… well I’ll tell you this much. It’s not romantic feelings. He’s 13, she’s 15.
7. How they like to dress
Hrm… how to describe this. Well she really likes comfy clothing but most of the time, she dresses like she’s ready to go out on an adventure. Most of the time, it’s long-sleeved and is comfy. She also always ties her hair up into pigtails.
19. Their reaction to betrayal
Well… She wants to show people she’s strong but has a bit of a typical view of it. You know, not showing a reaction towards it or anything. She comes off like she’s let it go and accepted it in a fairly short time but it’s tearing her apart inside since she can’t stop thinking about it. She will get better but it does hurt when she sees the one who betrayed her.
She has a very good fashion sense. She knows what works and what doesn’t, what’ll get her some attention and what’ll keep people away from her, she has a good sense of style and she’s good enough to be a fashion designer. She knows her stuff.
11. Their family life
She (along with Marshall since they’re twins) come from a wealthy family. Their parents are busy most of the time. She’s her parent’s favourite though. However, her relationship with Marshall is kind of strained and it’s a fault on both their parts. She’s not emotionally perceptive of him and he won’t tell what’s wrong, thinking “She’s the smarter one she can figure it out herself”. They’re both kind of childish.
12. Their romantic life
She’s gone on maybe one, two dates but she wasn’t impressed with either of them. She doesn’t do much dating anymore. Now she just decides based on whether the person meets her standards which they usually don’t since they’re kind of high.
13. Their embarrassing memory from years ago
Well there was a science fair (like in grade four) that they had to participate in so she and Marshall tried to work together. The process with their project didn’t end well (due to a miscommunication between the two that messed it up) and they started arguing which got violent and had hair pulling and scratching. The other students didn’t let her forget for a while.
14. How they react to burning their tongue on food
She keeps her dignity and finishes eating it but then grabs water to drink.
15. How they react to a brain freeze
She doesn’t usually get it so when she does, she doesn’t really know how to deal with it, other than keep doing what she’s doing until it goes away.
So I made Peter’s new sprite with his new design but I need some advice for this one. Because, yes, his new sprite doesn’t have him wearing his glasses (which he still has. On the one I’m showing, he’d keep them in his blazer pocket) but I don’t know if I’ll keep the necklace part of it. With the outfit he has now, it doesn’t look right hanging from his neck. I tried different ideas but it all look awkward and I like how it looks without them anyways since I can’t properly draw glasses still.
This is what his sprite looks like with his glasses:
If anyone has advice one what I could alternatively do, or just make it that he keeps them in his pocket, then I’m willing to listen. Overall, I’m glad the sprite overall looks good. … Oh and I made his hair look a bit cleaner.
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