Sympathy for the devil

Not exactly a Valentine's Day post, but… it's one about showing your antagonist/villain some love.

I'm guessing some of you are fans of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME. If you haven't seen it yet – you are missing some really good storytelling! And, because it's so good, I thought I'd relate a bit about what struck me in the latest episode & reinforced my love of this show. One of the two main villains gained my sympathy!

I didn't think it was possible. Nope. I didn't. But, Rumpelstiltskin – who nearly had my sympathy in the episode where we found out how he got his power – now firmly has it and maybe for the long run (the jury's still out on that.)

How did the show's writers accomplish this? (Especially in light of the despicable stuff he's done up to now, which is totally worthy of anyone's loathing.) Well, they gave him some backstory. Some really good backstory!

I won't spoil the episode for you – but they showed that he was capable of love, capable of being hurt, and capable of actually thinking of someone besides himself.

What about the evil queen? Nope, haven't seen any redeeming qualities yet. When the writers finally get around to revealing why she is like she is – it is going to have to be good. Beyond good… and also it will have to be believable.

Anyway – when you're crafting a story with a really evil, despicable villain – before you make him a one-dimensional baddie – think about his backstory. You might not want to put it in your book (or maybe just hint at it), but be sure that you know it. Then, when you are writing scenes with this character in it, you will have a sympathy for them which will make them real, believable, and multidimensional  – because no one is truly evil through & through (except maybe that wicked queen!)

What do you think? Do you want a villain who's beyond redemption – who has no hint of humanity? Or do you want one that, even when the good guy's taking him down, you feel a twinge of regret? Do you have any sympathy for the devil?