You might think this post is about a story that suddenly takes a turn for the worst, morphing from something brilliant into a train wreck of clichéd storytelling. But no, given that Halloween (my favorite holiday) is looming, I thought it would be a treat to have an early talk about our favorite villains of all time!
I'm one of those people who always veers toward the scoundrels of my favorite stories, finding something redeeming about them OR something so deliciously horrible, I'm driven to cheer them on.
As a writer, villains are one of my favorite characters to create and when my editor told me I had a knack for the bad guys, I got goose bumps for weeks! Is there something wrong with me? Probably, but that's another post and lots of dollars towards therapy! In Nightshade City & The White Assassin, Billycan is the wicked of wickedest rats, maybe that's why he's my favorite character to write about. He's cunning and duplicitous and looks as rotten on the outside, as he is on the inside! Tall and bony, with shifting red eyes and a thick black scar running across his muzzle! Oh, and he has a penchant for collecting tongues! But wait, there may be something redeeming about it! Oh, wait, there's not! Okay, sorry, going way overboard--but I LOVE the bad guys! I'm sure many of you have a thing for them too.
As rabid readers of middle-grade books, we all know villains can be rats or cats, witches or grinches and without a doubt--people! Who are your favorite villains in children's literature?
Here is my top five most villainous of villains in order of villainy!
5. Miss Trunchbull from Matilda
4. Goth from the Silverwing Series
3. Shere Khan from the The Jungle Book
2. The White Witch from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1. The Grand High Witch from The Witches
Oh, and if we want to talk villains of the newer variety, as in newer books, I simply have to mention The Man Jack from The Graveyard Book, undeniably chilling!
So, who tops your list? Who sends shivers up and down your quivering spine? Any new villains you'd like to mention?
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| I think I worked for her at some point... |
I'm one of those people who always veers toward the scoundrels of my favorite stories, finding something redeeming about them OR something so deliciously horrible, I'm driven to cheer them on.
As a writer, villains are one of my favorite characters to create and when my editor told me I had a knack for the bad guys, I got goose bumps for weeks! Is there something wrong with me? Probably, but that's another post and lots of dollars towards therapy! In Nightshade City & The White Assassin, Billycan is the wicked of wickedest rats, maybe that's why he's my favorite character to write about. He's cunning and duplicitous and looks as rotten on the outside, as he is on the inside! Tall and bony, with shifting red eyes and a thick black scar running across his muzzle! Oh, and he has a penchant for collecting tongues! But wait, there may be something redeeming about it! Oh, wait, there's not! Okay, sorry, going way overboard--but I LOVE the bad guys! I'm sure many of you have a thing for them too.
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| Oh, but he looks so cuddly... |
Here is my top five most villainous of villains in order of villainy!
5. Miss Trunchbull from Matilda
4. Goth from the Silverwing Series
3. Shere Khan from the The Jungle Book
2. The White Witch from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1. The Grand High Witch from The Witches
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| What is in that there pot...errr...ladies? |
Oh, and if we want to talk villains of the newer variety, as in newer books, I simply have to mention The Man Jack from The Graveyard Book, undeniably chilling!
So, who tops your list? Who sends shivers up and down your quivering spine? Any new villains you'd like to mention?
What's with the lack of blog traffic lately? The holiday?
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough about how much I love/hate/love-to-hate/hate-to-love Billycan. I can't wait to read more about him.
Definitely the White Witch!
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of Silverwing, I'll have to check it out.
Hmmm...Count Olaf (among others) in the Series of Unfortunate Events got me.
ReplyDeleteDelores Umbridge from Harry Potter has to top my list. Any villian that takes delight in inflicting pain is evil and scary.
ReplyDeleteMatt, we had a scheduling car crash this week, so today's post went up shamefully late! :) Thanks, Dude! Billycan is my little bad apple!
ReplyDeleteSarah, the whole trilogy is awesome! I loved it!
Marissa, yes, Count Olaf is a fantastic example!
Dee, I knew some teachers like that when I was a kid...or at least in my imagination! :)
Great choices of villains. I'd also add Dolores Umbridge to the list.
ReplyDeleteI just got White Assassin in the mail. Can't wait to start it!
Any of the Roald Dahl villains. That man knew how to write nasty.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! Dolores is EVIL to the core! Woohoo! You just got the ARC? Speaking of villains...ha, ha! ;)
ReplyDeleteJamie, absolutely! Some writers just have a knack for nasty! I hope I fit in that category! ;)
Billycan was a good villain---good in a bad, edge-of-your-seat way, that is. Can't wait to see what he's up to in The White Assassin!!
ReplyDeletePaul, you rock! Your ARC is already on its way to Alaska!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, Count Olaf is at the top of my villian list right now.
ReplyDelete