OUTLIERS ONE MORE THING: Are you writing A Killer or A Big Heavy? by Jennifer Dornbush

OUTLIERS ONE MORE THING: Are you writing A Killer or A Big Heavy?  by Jennifer Dornbush

If your crime story is well written, your antagonist is not a black and white character… or as we say in the movie biz, A Big Heavy-- a one-dimensional, cardboard cutout, mustache twirling, cackling maniacal scapegoat.

The best antagonists are Killers-- layered dimensional human beings with whom we find ourselves empathizing… or maybe even liking to some degree. They could be someone close to you that you thought you knew so well. Someone who looks so harmless and safe on the outside (think: Ted Bundy!)

As a writer, daughter of a coroner, and forensic specialist, I've always had a unique look into the dark recess of human nature. Maybe that’s why it’s more interesting to me to explore not only the how of a crime (external plot), but the why (internal character development). Why has that person crossed that line, shattered all morality, and embraced evil to become A Killer?

On some level, it hits that place where we all say, “There go I, but for the grace of God.”

In my own writing, I've always been drawn to exploring the complexities of human motivation. In the forensic world it’s called, forensic psychology or profiling. 

Here's how to craft a villain that will leave your audience both terrified and fascinated:

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction: The most chilling villains are the ones who feel like someone you know. I love to make my fictional killers loosely based on a real life killers. This helps me give them likable personalities, a relatable skillset, and at times a tender heart. I dig in and try to see their inner woundings and the events in their lives that made them vulnerable and bent towards evil.Think of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. He's terrifying not just because he's a cannibalistic killer, but because he's also a brilliant psychiatrist, a man of culture and sophistication. He’s a good conversationalist, but also master manipulator.

Get Inside The Criminal Mind: Every killer has a story, a past that shaped them, a series of events that led them to the choices they make. Delve into their history, explore their traumas, their losses, their betrayals. Many of these might not have been their fault, which makes them all the more empathetic. A well-developed backstory doesn't excuse their actions, but it adds depth and dimension, making them more than just a criminal; it makes them a deeply flawed human. When you get to a point in Killer character development where you can say “this killer is as deserving of grace as I am,” then you’ve probably got something worthy of writing about. 

50 Shades of Gray: The most compelling murderers are not 100% evil. They exist in those murky shades of gray, often believing themselves to be the heroes of their own stories. In their minds they are good people, and they have plausible (although disordered) reasons why they commit crime.  To make them less of A Big Heavy, create moments that illustrate their humanity and kindness.

A great example is Walter White in Breaking Bad. In the pilot episode we meet Walter White, a chemistry teacher, who’s just learned he has cancer. In order to provide a nice nest egg for his pregnant wife and son, he turns to a life of drug dealing which leads to a life of crime and unspeakable acts of evil. In Walter’s mind, he’s a hero for trying to save his family.

Different Sides of the Same Coin: A great villain often reflects and challenges the protagonist, creating a dynamic tension that drives the story forward. They might share similar traits, experiences, or even desires, making their conflict feel personal and inevitable. A great antagonist should be as savvy and intelligent as the protagonist forcing them to their limits, forcing them to grow, adapt, and eventually ramping up the conflict to the one-on-one final battle (where the protagonist wins, of course!)

In the crime writing world, A Killer (your villain) represents the worst case scenario we all fear for ourselves. So, when you’re dreaming up your next great story, don't shy away from diving deep into your darkest fears. After all, the best villains are reflections of those unspoken, shadowed parts of ourselves.

Jennifer Dornbush

www.jenniferdornbush.com.