Have any of your villainous characters reached redemption for their actions? How would you go about it if you were going to do this?
That's not to say that there are no evil or self-serving people without a conscious residing in our world. However, such a story would be too dark and depressing for me to write.
My YA and MG novels explain how/ why this person changed over time. I do not justify evil actions/mistakes. I provide an avenue for the reader to assess and make decisions appropriate for his/her age/ability level.
Romance/Romantic Suspense/Historical Novels
I usually have a villain or two in all of my storylines.
I've yet to send any of my villains on the road to redemption.
Why?
I have little sympathy for my villains.
I don't like my villains.
I don't want my villains to be happy.
I really wish for my villains to suffer.
My points of reference:
- The Wizard of Oz - the evil witch tried to kill Toto and Dorothy! 👠 (yes, I know the house killed her sister, but still..)
- Dracula (Bran Stoker's classic novel). This novel is a love story. Not your typical happily ever after, but a love story never-the-less. In this case, I could provide the original man (the count) redemption; however, the evil being he became would be beyond redemption here in the earthly realm. Profound sympathy on my part, perhaps.
As a reader, how do you feel about the 'bad guy' returning as a future novel hero?
Is a villain always a villain?
Or is a villain in the 'eye' of the reader?
Thank you for stopping by for our 100th Round Rhobin Blog Hop!
Please visit the talented authors of our group for their take on reforming the bad guys.
Happy Reading
Connie
XOXO
Participating:
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2KA
Robin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
** All of my novels/novellas are on sale (50% off) at the
Smashwords site through Halloween!
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vinesbwl
Like you, my books don't, for the most part, have villains. I've written one mystery that did have a villainess, and she did get her just deserts and, like you, I don't want her to be redeemed. She was nasty, selfish and vindictive so I wanted her punished. But I was wondering, in this YA category, you might have a bully or nasty gal, but they would be teens themselves so wouldn't it be possible that they could be redeemed as they grew up and their character matured.
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