There are so many things we have today which were almost beyond imagination in the past. This has been particularly brought home to me this week as I'm making a few trips to our county town (more than 100 miles away), and because we lost the internet which brings home just home much we use it! Technology certainly has its benefits! In fact, looking around the room (and this is a comparatively old-fashioned room) as I'm writing this, there are so many things we take for granted which would simply not have existed even a couple of hundred years ago. You can, of course, discount anything which uses electricity and, more interestingly, all of the paperback books - of which there are hundreds - and none of the MDF bookcases either. There would have been no photographs, although there may well have been paintings and sketches of the people in them. But it's not just about taking away what is here now. It's also about what we have lost since then. Rooms needed lighting, and th...
Characters in Middle Grade: The Baddy
Happy March! We saw our first daffodil out in the garden on St David's Day, 1st March. Very fitting!
Last month, in our middle grade characters series, we looked at the main character, giving some (I hope!) useful tips and pointing out some things to watch out for. Today, we’ll be looking at your main antagonist, otherwise known as ‘The Baddy’!
I’ve read some fantastic middle grade baddies, and some terrible ones, and I’m going to share what I think makes a great antagonist, and what to learn from some of the books that just don’t get it right.
Before we start, I have a slight confession to make. It doesn’t matter who my bad guy is, they’re always my sister’s favourite character. She likes Raedwald in Taking Wing, she likes the pirates in Exiled (yet to be published!) and I haven’t asked her, but I bet she likes Nox in Heartstone. The book I wrote for her Christmas present last year was a pirate story where there were two sets of baddies: the pirates, and the Duke. I wrote the story knowing she would like the pirate captain, but dislike the Duke. What actually happened was the other way around. So I am not much of an authority on writing baddies, but here’s my tuppence worth anyway…
Bad, or morally grey?
I don’t believe anyone is entirely evil, and middle grade readers are just beginning to leave the black or white character trend of picture books and first chapter books.
I once read a book which including a conversation similar to this:
[After the baddy has been defeated, the main character is sad that they had to defeat her, and feels guilt at what happened.] So far so good. This is great conflict!
Friend: She was just a bad person. Some people are born evil.
This is a terrible attitude to have in a middle grade book. Not only is it incredibly lazy storytelling to just have an evil baddy without any reason, it’s also a bad lesson for children.
That being said, try not to swing too far the other way. Yes, there should always be a reason for your baddy to act the way they do, but I despair when my readers identify more with the antagonist than the protagonist! There can be parts of the book which make the reader identify with the bad guy, but then should finish the book feeling like the main character ultimately did the right thing, and rejoice with them that the baddy is defeated.
The Bully
The first Baddy that children come across is likely to be a bully at school. Most schools will have instances of bullying, even though the term is frowned upon by many teachers.
As such, bullying behaviour from your baddy should make your reader dislike them successfully!
Bullying behaviour includes things like threatening (either with words or actions), expecting others to give them things for nothing (think of the lunch-money bullying trope), and a desire to be feared.
In general, bullies are cowards who mask their fear by throwing their weight around (figuratively!) This makes their comeuppance that bit more satisfying...
Comeuppance
That all-important part of the story! In a middle grade book, comeuppance for your baddy is crucial, and it should be satisfying.
Comeuppance is a matter which I take very seriously. If I don’t believe my sisters have given their baddies enough comeuppance, I make my displeasure known! That being said, they both write stories for young adults and adults, where comeuppance is not as necessary or clear-cut.
Comeuppance does not mean the baddy has to die!
Seeing their plans ruined can be comeuppance enough. Or showing their fears to their enemies. That one can be very satisfying!
While I know this is not a middle grade(!) Ginny and I enjoy watching The Wheel of Time. There is one scene where a particularly nasty character gets spectacular comeuppance…
While torturing (I did say it wasn’t middle grade!) one of the characters, he accidentally invokes an animalistic power within the character. What’s the comeuppance? The look of abject fear on the bad guy’s face. The tables were turned wonderfully in the goodies’ favour at this moment.
Sometimes, that’s all the comeuppance that is needed.
Do you need a baddy?
Honestly, I would say, 'yes', but I write fantasy adventure, where a baddy is fairly prerequisite. But in any genre, I think having an antagonist makes the story more exciting and helps the reader identify more with the goodies. We all come across our own 'baddies' in our life, although we don't tend to call them that! Having an antagonist in middle grade also prepares children well for the inevitable conflicts further down the line in their lives.
So, there are my humble thoughts on the all-important baddies in middle grade. This is, by no means, definitive, but just one author's opinion.
What's New with Crowvus?
This week is a particularly exciting week for me, as my cover reveal for Doorway to the Sunset is this Wednesday. I am delighted with the cover, and I've been absolutely bursting to share it with the world, but have been uncharacteristically strong and resisted the temptation!
We have also replied to authors regarding their submissions for the Hooded anthology (genre Science Fiction) and will start compiling the incredible stories this week. The quality of the submissions was fantastic, and we wish we could include more in the book.
Remember to check back on Wednesday to see the finished cover for Doorway to the Sunset - so exciting!
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