The Muse & The Marketplace 2024

If your novel is starting to feel like a slog, the problem might just be your antagonist. A great antagonist challenges the protagonist at every turn and on every level–emotional, physical, psychological–thus creating the tension and conflict that turns a story into a riveting read. But how do you create an opponent (human or inhuman) that will propel your story forward and force your protagonist to change–all while fascinating the reader? In this session, we will discuss how antagonists can drive the plot; the different types of “Big Bads” and the qualities they often share; and overused tropes, motivations and maneuvers you should avoid. We will also do a series of writing exercises that will help you discover and design the best possible antagonist to challenge your protagonist and breathe conflict and narrative energy into your novel.