How to Write a Villain with Author Ellie Shoja

Every story has some basic characters: the protagonist (main character), antagonist (opposes the main character), and possibly a side-kick, a love interest, or mentor. As authors, we tend to focus on our main character. We spend hours figuring out their wants and needs, their back story, the details of their lives. But do we do the same for our antagonists? Probably not as much. Should we? Yep! This week, my guest author Ellie Shoja has a lot to say about the nuances and layers of creating well-rounded antagonists. Because she grew up with one. As the daughter of an international con man, Ellie moved 30 times and lived in refugee camps in Germany before immigrating to the United States at the age of 15.

Om Podcasten

Have you got a dream to write a book? Have you begun or did you get started only to write yourself directly into a deep dark plot hole with no way out? Uh oh - that’s no fun. This show helps you get your book written and become a better writer in the process. In each episode, author & book coach Amy Isaman shares practical tips and encouragement on both the overall writing process and the craft of writing to help you keep going and finally write “the end.” You’ll also find occasional interviews with writers and authors who share their writerly wisdom. The Dear Creativity, Let’s Write Podcast is for both brand new writers who are just beginning to get their story out of their heads and onto the page and seasoned authors looking for some inspiration and ideas to improve their own writing and creative process.