Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlights: How to Create the Villain Your Hero Deserves, with Sacha Black

In this presentation, author Sacha Black focuses on the creation of villains. Why? Because villains are vital to your novels. They create conflict, drive tension and up the pace. Without a solid villain, your novel will fall flat. In this presentation you'll learn what clichés and stigmas to avoid, as well as the major factors of villain creation.

Sacha says: "Behind every successful hero is a villain. Think about it. Would Metropolis have needed Superman if it weren't for Lex Luthor and his plans for world domination? I don't think so. Likewise, think about Gotham and Batman. Would Gotham have needed Batman if it weren't for the Penguin or the Joker?

"There's a big debate over what's the most important aspect is when creating your novel, is it characters? Is it plot? It could be either and I know supporters of both those camps. However, I think there's something even more fundamental than either of those things, and that's conflict.

"Conflict gives your characters an aim and a purpose."

Listen to Sacha's presentation on how to create a great villain that gives your hero the purpose she needs.

This podcast is part of Self-Publishing Advice Conference, an online author conference that showcases the best self-publishing advice and education for authors across the world — harnessing the global reach of the Alliance of Independent Authors' network. Our self-publishing conference, which runs alongside the London Book Fair and Digital Book World, features well-known indie authors and advisors, for 24 sessions over 24-hours, in a one-day extravaganza of self-publishing expertise straight to your email inbox.