This information is from a panel I listened to a year or so ago. I took notes while attending a wonderful SF/F symposium called Life The Universe and Everything. The panels are very educational. The panelists were: Jaleta Clegg, James Dashner, Tracy Hickman, Brad R. Torgensen, Dan Wells.

–        When authors create ‘bad’ characters sometimes the friends and family have a hard time not seeing the bad of the character coming from the author. Readers seem to be okay in being able to separate the motives and actions of a character from the author.

–        No villain believes himself to be a villain. He feels what he/she is doing is the right thing to do.

–        The story represents a human working out a problem and is a reflection of the thought process.

–        Characters have conflicts in opinions, treat them honestly. Don’t have an idea you personally oppose be easily defeated just because you disagree with it. Displaying legitimate reasons as to why someone might feel a certain way will give the story a reality. An opposite options may not be understandable to you but it is believable to that character who has that opinion. Present those ideas fairly.

–        If you are uncomfortable with writing about an evil character then maybe write a story where a bunch of normal people share a common catastrophe/problem and the story is about how they each react to that problem.

–        Round out a villain by giving them a trait that readers can relate to.

–        Make characters distinct by giving them an opinion that the author may not agree with.

–        Don’t overlook internal conflicts. They can add depth.

–        Book: Even tide by Tracy Hickman