valarltd | Writing Exercise: Villainy

It was suggested that I do some serious thinking about villains because I can't seem to manage more than cartoon cutouts lately. (Welcome to my writing life)

So here is where I, the author, invite you, the reader to play along in a game of Match That Conflict!

We're only playing with novels here. If you want to bring up a novella, please feel free. Comments are welcome, on your favorites. If you think I'm wrong on my analysis, or missing something, please say so. This is pre- caffeine, and pre-food, so I could be blurry.

Alive on the Inside: Man vs Himself. Nick Harper's whole conflict is not with Jacob. Jacob is the external embodiment of his inner turmoil.

Barbarossa's Bitch: Man vs. Environment, Man vs. Himself, small side of Man vs. Man
Mostly this is Dylan Taggert trying to survive in a radically changed world for which Webelos skills, acquired 20 years earlier, are inadequate. Some of it is coming to terms with himself and his new place. And he does go a couple of rounds with Ryder, the former favorite whose place he takes. Ryder isn't much of a villain, and keeps to himself most of the book.

Curse of the Pharaoh's Manicurists: Man vs man. This is one with a real villain. Sarah Brown has Charlie kidnapped. She compels him into her bed. (He squares his shoulders and pretends he's Edward) She steals the prize out from under Edward and Charlie's noses and has Charlie shot. Once they get back to England, she reports the murder and has the police looking for Edward. (Charlie is quite put out at that) Nigel may be more than half of the brains of the outfit, but Sarah is clever, tough and actually gets paid at the end of the book, whereas Edward and Charlie only get each other, through some divine intervention.

Glad Hands: Man vs. Environment. All the problems Chuck and Seven encounter are products of the countries. The unperson status for Seven. The kidnapping and death sentence for Chuck. The jeering crowd, the pursuit. None of it is personal, and most of those doing it are faceless and nameless.

Hard Reboot: Man vs. Man. Man vs. Himself. Sean is a man of divided loyalties and confused about his own part in things. We have several people who wear the black hats at various points, but unexpectedly aid Sean as it suits their needs. Gemini is a likely candidate, given the orchestration of Tara's kidnapping, reprogramming and then Sean's own reworking. Technomancer has her own agenda and treats Sean and Tara like tools. The Wheelman is a sideline nuisance for Gemini. The Beast looms around the edges, ever hovering, again with his own agenda. He will use Sean and Tara to get what he wants, if he can.

Heart of a Forest: Man vs. Man. It's Robin Hood. You know the Sheriff is going to be defeated. When King John dies (in a manner similar to the actual historical death, but rather more dignified), he has no supporters and no power. He's lucky to escape with his life.

Heart's Bounty: Man vs. Man and Man vs. Himself. Miho has issues he needs to resolve. Hevik has trust issues. And they've both squared off against human supercomputer, Laric Malkin, their joint quarry. Malkin isn't the bad guy. The villain is defeated by clever tinkering (established earlier) that causes a distraction and some fast shooting.

Nikolai: Man vs. Himself, Man vs Environment. Nick Boyd must grow the hell up, become what his teachers want him to be and beat them at their own game. But he has not only the tests, but a lot of upbringing and indoctrination (environment) stacked against him.

Power in the Blood: Man vs. Man. The vampire megachurch has to be stopped before it manages to convert the whole city followed by the whole world. The vampires are defeated by sheer brute strength, the fact their opponents can be killed but won't stay dead, and the fact they're in a closed situation. The one major error they make is dismissing the existence of the Undying as boogie men, tales to keep fledglings in line. (and also not thinking through the whole "what are we going to eat afterward" because they believe they'll usher in the Second Coming)

Privateer's Treasure: Man vs. Man. Thomas and Nathaniel's long-running grudge finally boils over. They solve it in the time-honored fashion, and only sword-skill is the determining factor.

Shellshocked: Man vs Himself. It's mostly about Sean and Gabe getting better together. The one human conflict is solved by taking it up the chain of authority, and then avoiding the difficult person when authority can do nothing.

Spellbound Desire: Man vs. Man. Man vs Himself. The demon is coming. Bran pulls in all the magical help he can get and throws down with it. But the story is DJ discovering she doesn't have to be alone forever, that she's not doomed to live out a rum-soaked life inside 200 square feet of office apartment. The demon is more a Maguffin than actual villain.