Villains: The Too Often Forgotten Character

Dive Into Writing Lectures

A poorly developed villain weakens your protagonist as well as the story.

Too many writers spend all of their time on every other aspect of their stories, then write what they consider is the consummate bad guy and wonder why their stories fall flat. They forget that their second-most important character has not been fleshed out enough to create drama for your protagonists.

In this class:

  • We’ll explore degrees of villainy to see what works for your stories.
  • We'll examine four qualities of a Strong Villain.
  • Understand the whys of villains without neutering them.
  • Discover the difference between Villains and Anti-heroes.
  • learn the differences between Sociopaths and Psychopaths.

Remember: Your Protagonist can only be as strong as the villain they face.


Your Instructor


Mary Buckham
Mary Buckham

Hi! I'm Mary Buckham, owner and instructor here at Mary Buckham On Writing. I'm a USA Today Bestselling author who has been fortunate enough over the last ten years to work with thousands of aspiring and published authors, writing in every genre possible, to hone their writing craft skills. And that's what I want to share with you! Learn more about me. Are you ready to take YOUR writing to the next level? Let's get started.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
What if I have questions?
I love hearing from fellow writers and students. If you have a question or comment please don't hesitate to email: [email protected]. We will answer within 48 hours on weekdays.
Is there a forum for students?
I have created an exclusive Facebook Group for students. There you can post questions, observations, thoughts and engage with fellow writers and invited guests. Writing is a shared journey. We look forward to you joining us

Welcome. This is a place where you'll be understood. A place where you can learn the small tweaks and large ah-ha elements of writing craft. The skills I'll teach you here will last with you a lifetime. And you know what? Those skills go WAY beyond what you're writing today. Stick around awhile, and you'll see. In fact, register for a class right now, and then you'll see how YOUR writing can change!

Get started now!