Today, we’re gonna be diving into the art of creating a truly menacing villain! And no, not just the kind with the mustache twirling and whatnot, but the kind of antagonist who makes readers sweat, question morality, and maybe consider therapy.

Tip #1: Give Them a Point (Even If It’s Twisted)

A truly menacing villain believes they’re the hero. And worse? Sometimes they kind of have a point. Give them a goal that makes uncomfortable sense.

Example: Your villain: Wants to “cleanse” the world of liars by silencing everyone. Yikes—but coherent.

Pro tip: If your villain’s monologue ever makes your hero hesitate for just one beat, you’re doing it right.

Tip #2: Calm Is Scarier Than Chaos

Screaming, frothing rage is fun... but what’s really unnerving? A villain who whispers.

Text Example: “I’m not angry. I’m just disappointed… and that’s why you’re going to die.”

Villains who are calculated, deliberate, and eerily polite? Absolute chef’s kiss. Bonus points if they have a signature beverage (tea, scotch, blood in a wine glass—you know, the usual).

Tip #3: Make It Personal

It’s not enough for your villain to want power or money. Those are fine. But the real spice? They want something from the hero: approval, revenge, attention, forgiveness. That twisted emotional hook makes it way harder to defeat them cleanly, and it’s way juicier for readers.

Think:

• The villain used to be the hero’s mentor

• They share a childhood tragedy

• They both love the same person (uh oh)

Tip #4: Unpredictability = Power

A villain who plays by the rules isn’t terrifying. A villain who kills someone you thought was safe? That’s nightmare fuel. Let them do something irreversible to your characters and/or their world. Make them unpredictable but not random. Let their thinking be consistent but not obvious.

Let readers think: “Wait, they wouldn’t—”

And then: They do.

(But don't abuse this—earned shock is better than cheap plot twists.)

Tip #5: Let Them Win (Sometimes)

Nothing kills a menace like constant failure. If the villain loses every time, they become a cartoon. Let your villain outsmart the hero, or force a sacrifice that will leave readers in pieces.

And don’t forget, the win should have consequences:

• For the hero: trauma, shame, character growth (these are great for entering main character arcs!)

• For the world: fear, instability, change

• For the villain: satisfaction… or emptiness if you wanna go with the twist

Bonus: Make Readers Miss Them When They’re Gone

You’ve nailed it when readers are sad (or furious) when the villain dies. Or worse—they live, but vanish, and the reader's like “oh God… when are they coming back?"

If your villain walks offscreen, and the audience stares at the page like something just left the room? 10/10, no notes.