Many great works of literature contain a dark character, who could at best be described as an antihero (think Heathcliff), or at worst a downright villain (think Lady Macbeth).

Their selfishness, greed and, at times, violence make them despicable, but what happens when they display more sympathetic characteristics too? At their most interesting, an antagonist blurs the lines of morality, creates tension and sheds light on what it is to be a flawed human being. All of this can make for a great book. Author Angharad Hampshire shares five tips for writing a complex villain.

Step into their head

The best piece of advice I was given about writing a dark character was, “If you’re going to do this, do it properly.” In other words, don’t go in for half measures. Commit fully to stepping into the darkness. Get into your character’s head; understand their backstory. Why do they behave the way that they do? Don’t sugar coat it. Be clear about what has made them the monster they have become.

Make your character multi-faceted

Short of being a psychopath, most people are not born evil; it’s a rare human being that is entirely bad. We are all full of contradiction, shaped by a combination of nature and nurture, capable of saintliness and sin. Good literature explores this complexity with nuance. Examine your character in the round; alongside the darkness, give them some light.

Create reader empathy

Understand the difference between empathy and sympathy. It is possible to understand why someone behaves badly (empathy) without condoning evil acts (sympathy). I quote the historian Christopher Browning, whose work heavily influenced mine: “Explaining is not excusing; understanding is not forgiving.” Grasp this difference and write it into your text.

Chart your character’s decent into evil

The descent into evil is a process. Chart this descent and have the reader follow it. One way to do this is through the reaction of other characters, another is through development of plot. Read the psychology behind the type of person you are writing and think about how you can bring this psychology into your work.

Know when to step away from the darkness

Writing about crime, violence and trauma can take its toll. Watch for the impact it’s having on you. You are likely to reach a point when you need to escape the darkness and step away from the subject matter. If it’s really upsetting you, know when to seek help.

Angharad Hampshire’s debut novel The Mare is out now – published by Northodox Press.