Villain Motivations

[browngirl]

I realized that one of my stories is stalled because I need to overhaul it. Among other problems, the villain lacks pesonality and motivation.

Without giving too many story details... Picture a NUMB3RS case-of-the-week. The bad guy's a lone man, 'average' age/build/income, who fled to the city from another region and is currently living under an assumed identity; he has built some booby traps into a local construction project so he can set them off as revenge if he's discovered.

But what was his original crime, and why is he continuing in crimes? Does he think the world owes him, and if so, what and why?

*contemplates*

Comments

[libitina]

Okay, so what kind of booby traps have you made him use? or is this where you're stalled because that would be informed by his background?

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Well, that's going to be more informed by the elementary architecture reading I have yet to do, but... [plot element removed by the Posting Fairies]

(I bet you can guess which story this is, but don't give it away!)

[jamjar.livejournal.com]

That's pretty broad. Could be done a few ways:

Former informer/whistleblower, explosives under a city building. Punishing people for not leaving him alone/not protecting him (could get some family stuff in there as well).

A spin on the above-- any kind of former government/military who might have reason to think he was treated badly.

Possibly, you could go more psychotic-- someone who was a criminal, "reformed" in his own head, is on the run for his previous crimes. "I've been good, I haven't set any fires, so long as everyone just leaves me alone..."

Could also do the above with a "found God" twist.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

OOOh, I really like the delusions-of-being-reformed criminal angle., and that fits with what I have. Thank you!

[1trackmind.livejournal.com]

I like that first one, too!

[dreamflower]

Hmm...maybe a wannabe? Someone who wanted to be a cop/agent/other cool macho type job, but was disqualified by his previous crimes. (Say something sleazy, like domestic violence or something--something that doesn't carry much weight in his own mind. To him it seems insignificant.)

Perhaps he's thinking to have another go at his ambition in his new setting?

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

You are ever so perceptive! His ambition is something else, but he's definetely having another go at it in his new city. That's already in the story, and I think some of your other suggestions will work well with it. Thank you!

[1trackmind.livejournal.com]

Kidnapping? If I can't have x then no one can?

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. I don't think I can write a kidnapping story in NUMB3RS unless it's the kind of plotbunny that rears up and grabs me. There are some really good ones around.

But that plotbunny might just sink its fangs into my head one day...

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

If he's successfully able to pull off a new identity, he's smart. And he thinks the world owes him because he knows he's smart, he's just never been able to get his due because even though he's brilliant (in his own mind), he's been thwarted/opressed/had incredibly bad luck. He was in the military (picking up the explosives training) but got drummed out after doing something marginal that he thought was no big deal (cutting some corner that he knew really didn't matter), and he only got called on it because They were jealous. Then he worked construction, using his military training, but nobody could see he was too smart to be digging holes and pouring concrete, and when he tried to apply a little pressure to get ahead in some shady way, They canned him. He had to go to a friend's father and beg for a job, but They couldn't see he didn't belong starting at the bottom, and it blew up in his face. And every time, the anger gets more violent and out of proportion as he comes a little closer to cracking. The last time he hurt somebody over some incredibly minor and stupid slight, maybe somebody important or with power; thus he ran, because he really is smart about everything except himself. He's nursing a pathological grudge against Them, in whatever form it may take.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

! That's my guy, in all his assholic, self-justifying glory. Now I can *hear* him. Thank you, so much!

[panda-pooka.livejournal.com]

First thing in my head was 'he has a grudge against whoever owns the construction site or is building on it'. Disgruntled former construction (foreman? etc?) or Feeling oppressed crazy with black ops experience?

So, if "they" appease him, no earth-shattering Kaboom. Otherwise, well, kaboom.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*nod* This definetely helps me refine my ideas for what sabotage he carries out and why. Thank you!

[ilthit.livejournal.com]

:D I love writing side characters like that. I mean, I'd often make them faceless pawns of the story, but then I start writing their dialogue and get caught up with an angle and suddenly find I've got a whole character.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*nod* Yep. And now, because of the good advice people gave me, this guy is coming alive!