What Goes on Behind the Curtain?

by Debbie Burke

When you read mystery or suspense stories, do you ever wonder how the author came up with the villain?

Villains fascinate us because they do things we don’t dare to do. Most of us are constrained by conscience and fear of consequences. But that doesn’t stop villains. They lie, cheat, steal, kill, or worse.

How does a regular law-abiding person (like me) get away with murder without going to prison?

I write fiction.

Today, as an author of eight thrillers, I’m going to pull the curtain aside and let you in on secrets of how I write about bad guys.

In real life, I’ve never met a terrorist who wants to destroy the electric grid; or a glamorous con artist who scams seniors; or a prison warden who makes deep fake videos to frame an innocent woman. Yet those sinister, despicable, ruthless folks came to life in my stories.

Most writers (including myself) have never killed anyone, so you might wonder how they get inside the skin of a murderer.

By asking questions.

Have you ever been wronged? Did someone else get a job or recognition you deserved? Did a trusted friend or family member betray you? Are you furious with an abuser who victimized a loved one? Have you ever thought: I’m going to get back at that #$@&%!

If you answered yes, you’ve experienced universal human emotions. By tapping into feelings of anger, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge, I find the seeds of a compelling villain. Then I push the character to emotional extremes to the point where they step over the line that most of us don’t cross.

Villains in my books have motives, reasons, and justifications for their actions. Once I understand why they’re driven, I create situations where they act out those feelings in ways that harm others.

The most memorable villains aren’t mustache-twirling cartoons. Rather, they are tormented humans driven by wants and needs that compel them to act in anti-social ways. My favorite bad guys make the reader think: there but for the grace of God go I.

Mystery authors hide the villain in the shadows, behind the curtain in the story. Readers follow the hero, who searches for clues while trying to figure out the villain’s identity. At the end, the criminal is revealed, and the mystery is solved.

In contrast, suspense and thriller authors often tell the reader who the villain is early in the story. The reader’s question changes from “Whodunnit?” to “Is the bad guy going to get away with it?”

While writing, I follow villains behind the scenes. What strategy do they use to escape detection? How do they sneak up on the hero? Do they need to commit another crime to cover the first? What is the payoff for their misdeeds?

In my newest book, Deep Fake Double Down, the villain at first appears to be the loving father of an autistic son. He learns how to make deepfake videos to entertain the child. But he’s also a prison warden who operates a secret sapphire mine inside his facility and needs to hide his illegal profits.

In the story, I explore how deep fake videos can create false evidence. Even scarier is how easy it is to do.

In the past, one had to be a technological wizard to make convincing false video. Not anymore. With revolutionary AI software, now almost anyone can create bogus footage.

Deepfakes began to hit the news a few years ago. Video was released of the Ukrainian president supposedly ordering his troops to surrender. A fake explosion at the Pentagon caused stock market jitters.

Every day, more deepfakes come to light. Recently, Twitter/X shut down all searches for Taylor Swift because of viral fake videos. Oprah and Kelly Clarkson decried fake videos that showed them touting weight loss products they didn’t endorse.

In the era of deep fakes, what you see with your own eyes isn’t necessarily real. That became the theme of my story.

The prison warden’s scheme to steal sapphires is going fine until an inmate’s murder threatens to expose the illegal activity. Now he’s desperate to silence a female guard who witnessed the death. He creates fake videos that frame the woman. When he releases them to social media, they go viral. After millions watch her committing crimes, how can she prove she’s innocent?

The villain doesn’t start out as a terrible person—he’s stealing sapphires to provide care for his son’s lifetime needs. But greed gets the better of him. Soon he’s crossed the line where he’ll do anything to keep from being caught. Will an innocent woman pay the ultimate price for his crimes? The answer can be found in Deep Fake Double Down.

A friend often comes up with ideas he says I should write about (lookin’ at you, Steve Hooley!). He suggested I write a craft guide that shows authors how to create villains. His brilliant idea became a book called The Villain’s Journey. It’s currently under consideration by agents and I hope it will be published soon.

While researching the book, I asked readers who their favorite villains are and why those characters are memorable.

Today, I’d like to ask you the same questions. If you answer in the comments section, you’ll be entered in a free drawing for a legacy wood pen that Steve created.

He handcrafted this gorgeous pen especially for Deep Fake Double Down, with the rich blue finish of Yogo sapphires, the secret treasure in the story.

Steve, thank you for giving me a chance to reveal a peek behind the curtain on your blog. I appreciate the beautiful pen, and, most of all, your friendship!

Questions:

Who is your favorite villain from fiction?

Why did he or she make a lasting impression on you?

Answer in the comments section and you could be the lucky pen winner!

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Read samples of Debbie Burke’s thriller series at her website: debbieburkewriter.com

Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and other major booksellers. Or ask your favorite independent bookstore to order paperbacks.

Debbie also writes for the popular crime blog The Kill Zone and news journals.

Email: debbieburkewriter@gmail.com