the Antagonist is the HERO of his story. That means that he has his own motivations, goals, trials, journeys, failures, and backstory if you want him to be a full three-dimensional character that feels real.

If you’re writing a mystery, a thriller, anything at all involving intrigue, you must know your bad guy’s agenda, and—this is utterly crucial—what he or she has done thus far to actualize it.

one of the most dynamic, interesting characters in any story: the villain.