{"id":761,"date":"2023-08-29T14:23:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T14:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/?p=761"},"modified":"2023-08-29T14:23:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T14:23:53","slug":"the-flat-arc-antagonist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/?p=761","title":{"rendered":"The Flat Arc Antagonist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, we\u2019re taking a look at one of the most important characters in your story\u2026 the antagonist. This character is often underrated because we can tend to take a \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach to villains. But the reality is that they are just as much a person as any other character in the story, so they require just as much attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019ve already read my Positive Change Arc series, you\u2019ll probably remember that I talked a lot about the antagonist\u2014in fact, I took up two posts just for that topic. But we\u2019re going to look at this character in the light of a Flat Arc today, so be sure to compare notes to see how they differ from the Positive Change Arc antagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The Want<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019ve said it many times before, and I\u2019ll say it again\u2026 every character has something they want. And this is especially important for your antagonist because their Want will often be driving much of the story. This Want needs to be specific to the character and relatable to the readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, as far as what that Want is, you do have some liberties. The antagonist and the protagonist might want the same thing, but they have different methods of getting it (aka the Lie and the Truth). So they could be in competition for that Want\/Goal, or the antagonist might try to recruit the MC to work on their team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Another option is to give them totally opposite objectives\u2014the MC\u2019s Goal driven by the Truth, and the antagonist\u2019s Want by the Lie. These objectives can get in the way of each other, causing either the protagonist to have to pursue the antagonist, or the antagonist to have to pursue the protagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d there are multiple antagonists\u2026 each one with their own specific Want. However, Mary\u2019s Goal\u2014to glorify God in her life\u2014ends up getting in the way of every antagonists\u2019 Want, causing them to target her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    In \u201cPendragon,\u201d Artos\u2019 Goal of protecting the Isle of Britannia\u2014and his loved ones\u2014conflicts with the Wants of both Caydern and the Saxon raiders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The Lie<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Like a Positive Change Arc antagonist, the Flat Arc antagonist will also represent the Lie. This Lie will, of course, be opposite from the MC\u2019s Truth\u2014which puts the protagonist and antagonist at odds with each other on a more internal level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Since the Want is driven by the Lie and the Goal is driven by the Truth, it should automatically create even more conflict between the MC and the villain. (More about that later.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The antagonist, however, isn\u2019t going to be the only one representing the Lie. In addition to any minor antagonists, contagonists, and other Positive Change Arc supporting characters, the Lie will also be represented by the world around the MC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While the Adventure World of the Positive Change Arc represents a harsh version of the Truth, the Adventure World of the Flat Arc is going to provide somewhat of the same effect by trying to enforce the Lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d each antagonist has their own Lie to accompany their Want. While these Lies are different from each other, they all oppose Mary\u2019s Truth with equal force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      In \u201cPendragon,\u201d both Caydern and the Saxons disagree with Artos\u2019 view of the one true God\u2014and with his Truth that God gives His children grace to carry out their tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      1. The Ghost<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        The antagonist needs to have a reason behind his Lie and Want, which is where the Ghost comes in. This Ghost may be vital to the plot, or it may not. You can also tie it into the MC\u2019s Backstory to create further conflict or connections between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d not much Backstory is given about any of the antagonists. But you can draw some conclusions based on Juliette\u2019s jealousy and Helen\u2019s spitefulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        In \u201cPendragon,\u201d we are led to assume that Caydern has gotten used to being the favorite, which causes him to immediately become jealous of Artos\u2019 success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Good qualities<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          This is another thing I stress a lot\u2026 just because the villain is meant to be \u201cevil\u201d doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t have any likable qualities. However, since this is a Flat Arc\u2014where the MC believes the Truth and is generally seen as the \u201cgood guy\u201d\u2014there\u2019s going to be more of a distinction between the antagonist and protagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Flat Arc is more like your typical hero story where things are more black and white. That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t have morally gray characters, and it certainly doesn\u2019t mean that your antagonist can\u2019t possess good qualities. However, depending on the story, you might need to distinguish between the hero and the villain a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/div>\n\n\n\n

          In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d Juliette seems to have been a good friend to Amelia in the past\u2014her main faults are that she\u2019s very possessive and envious. She also shows that she\u2019s not too far gone when she actually begins to pity Mary after learning of her fate. Helen, on the other hand, is a little bit more of a hardcore villain. She\u2019s very unlikable and she has less of a reason to behave the way she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/div>\n\n\n\n

          In \u201cPendragon,\u201d Caydern is a very unlikable villain, which is fine since he\u2019s meant to be unlikable. The audience is supposed to be more frightened of him than sympathetic. The Saxons are even less so since they\u2019re less personal antagonists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          1. The connections and similarities<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            As I just talked about in the last point, the distinction between the antagonist and protagonist is going to be much more apparent in a Flat Arc. However, they can still be connected in some way, shape, or form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This could be through their Ghost\/Backstory\u2026 perhaps they have similar pasts, or perhaps their pasts were intertwined. They also might have comparable personalities or interests. Or, as I mentioned before, they might have the same Want\/Goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/div>\n\n\n\n

            In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d Mary and Juliette have a mutual friend in Amelia, which ties them together. While Mary and Helen have less in common, Helen seems to represent the type of person Mary could become if she allows her doubts and fears to consume her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/div>\n\n\n\n

            In \u201cPendragon,\u201d Caydern also represents the kind of controlling, power-hungry man Artos might become if he turned away from his Truth. In addition, they\u2019re both skilled fighters and horsemen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            1. The conflict and differences<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Your antagonist and protagonist are probably going to have quite a few differences since their very beliefs are contrary. But besides the conflicting convictions, they could clash in numerous ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              This could have to do with anything from personality, to methods, to relationships, to skills. While you\u2019ll probably have no lack of conflict between the two characters, these extra differences will help to bring that conflict to a more external level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/div>\n\n\n\n

              In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d Mary\u2019s approach to her friendship with Amelia is very different from Juliette\u2019s. While Juliette is very jealous and possessive, Mary is quite humble and sweet. Mary and Helen are even more opposite since Helen is mean and hateful while Mary is kind and generous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/div>\n\n\n\n

              In \u201cPendragon,\u201d Caydern and Artos are completely opposite in the way they lead. While one is selfish and demanding, the other is humble and sacrificial. They\u2019re also different in their beliefs, as well as their loyalty to their country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              1. The reveal<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Whenever you\u2019re creating an antagonist, you always have to keep in mind how and when you\u2019re going to reveal them. Will you draw it out slowly, or will the MC know all along who it is? Are they close to the MC at first? Will the reveal happen at a major plot point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Depending on what type of character the bad guy is, you\u2019ll have to decide their reveal ahead of time to make sure you properly create and introduce their character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/div>\n\n\n\n

                In \u201cThe Basket of Flowers,\u201d Juliette is introduced simply as a harsh, unfeeling person before she lies about Mary stealing the ring. Helen, however, seems to be shown to be an antagonistic character right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/div>\n\n\n\n

                In \u201cPendragon,\u201d the Saxons are the first antagonists to be introduced. When Artos finally does meet Caydern, the audience can be pretty sure that he will play an antagonistic role in the future. However, many of his plans and the extent of his evilness are kept hidden, making for good plot reveals nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                <\/div>\n\n\n\n

                Here are a few more examples of antagonists in fiction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. The other giants (\u201cThe BFG\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                  1. Auto (\u201cWall-E\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    1. The circumstances of life; Mrs. Ferrars and Fanny (\u201cSense & Sensibility\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                      1. Frank Miller and his friends (\u201cHigh Noon\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                          \n
                        1. Millicent (\u201cPaddington\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                          <\/div>\n\n\n\n

                          Comment below the antagonist in your favorite book or movie!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                          Today, we\u2019re taking a look at one of the most important characters in your story\u2026 the antagonist. This character is often underrated because we can tend to take a \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach to villains. But the reality is that they are just as much a person as any other character in the story, so they require just as much attention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[136,5,4],"tags":[70,71,24,26,29,100,23,33,72,27],"class_list":["post-761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-flat-arcs","category-plots-and-character-arcs","category-writing-tips","tag-antagonist","tag-bad-guy","tag-character-arcs","tag-characters","tag-christian-writing","tag-flat-arcs","tag-plots","tag-protagonist","tag-villain","tag-writing-tips"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=761"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":764,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/761\/revisions\/764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}