What Makes A Good Story? Not Insane Villains.

I've been thinking a bit too much lately. I've started lists of stories and plots and characters for the future. Probably more than Jackie and I can ever work on. But, I like having the list to go back to to trigger new ideas for good stories. That got me to thinking, what makes a good story.

For me a good story engages my interest, has characters I can fall in love with, creates a believable world and connects to an idea. We all have ideas that we tell ourselves will make a great story, but once we start working on it, after awhile the idea just doesn't pan out. As many things can go askew as can go right.

To me a good story has an enduring story idea that creates enduring scenes that move the story forever forward until it concludes in a manner that is both satisfying and appropriate to the story. Which sort of brings me to the crux of my reason for this blog.

Of late I've read a number of stories that moved along with engaging characters and enduring story ideas. Yet when I got the end, the stories fell apart. Why? In my opinion the author didn't work enough on the antagonist (or villain) giving the antagonist a good enough reason for trying to thwart the protagonists (hero, heroine) and keep them from attaining their goals. For some reason, insane villains have cropped up in writing who do things that keep the plot moving forward, but in the end the reason for why they do what they do is because they are insane. Say what?

I don't like insane villains who have no other reason for being in the story than to be insane and provide insane acts to puzzle and threaten the main characters. No matter how insane a villain is, the character must be as motivated to want what they want as the protagonists. Insanity by itself is not motivation. Every character in a story must have a reason for doing what they do. The answer to why the villain does what they do should never be 'because he/she is insane.' Even insane people have a reason for acting the way they do. And the reason must make sense to the reader.

This is a subject I've visited in the past. And will probably return to in the future. So in my mind, an insane villain does not help create an enduring story. Insane villains are a cop out. They are easy to construct because the author feels they don't have to provide them with any other motivation.

What about you? Have you read a book with an insane villain that didn't provide any motivation other than the idea that the villain is insane? How does that make you feel? Is the story complete? Or do you feel left hanging by the too easy wrap up? Because no matter how insane a villain may be, the reader should still have an answer the question, why.

Please share your experiences with insane villains. Leave a comment in the box below. Thank you.

Till next time, Miriam