Where do you get inspiration for creating killers or villains?

marladravenauthor 2025-10-14 15:22:30 UTC #37

True crime documentary, movies, books everything!.
Some times I think, if I were to become a killer, wich will be my motivation based on my background?
So I can get in the character mind.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-16 17:09:05 UTC #38

Exactly – motive is everything. If you imagine “what would make me cross that line”, you get much truer, messier villains. Any particular background detail of yours you’d try first as a seed for motive?

LWriter 2025-10-16 19:33:03 UTC #39

Depends, like for my current fantasy story, the main villain, Deadbone, was a combination of things. In many ways, the core of his character represents grief. In a very literal sense when it comes to the protagonist, too. And I accentuated that giving him a Dia De Los Muertos look (which he would find amusing since he eats bones hence the name), and reinforcing his and the protagonist Latin heritage. We have a closer connection to death than most, and I tried to weave that in the story and both characters, even if they are elves (he’s more like a kind of vampire created from an elf).

thecamrendutha 2025-10-17 05:51:48 UTC #40

well the story is still early, so nibelung hasn’t appeared yet. he’s only mentioned as a legend and folklore so far since the setting takes place 1200 years after he was defeated, but he will rise again.
episode 1 briefly tells about him and the great war he started.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-17 14:59:41 UTC #41

That’s a powerful concept – turning grief itself into the essence of a villain. I really like how you tied it to cultural symbolism and heritage; it adds emotional weight and identity at the same time. The Dia de los Muertos touch fits perfectly with the idea of memory and transformation. Sounds like Deadbone isn’t just a monster – he’s what grief becomes when it starts feeding on itself.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-17 15:04:33 UTC #42

I see – that kind of distant legend presence can be even stronger than a direct appearance. When a villain lives through myth, their shadow shapes the world long before they return. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how Nibelung’s story unfolds once he finally rises again.

MelancholicOtaku 2025-10-17 15:57:30 UTC #43

The Lost Forest main villains are deities called The Old Ones which I based off on the Gods of Olympus from Greek mythology. They’re basically spoiled brats who have way too much power .

kyupol 2025-10-17 16:14:38 UTC #44

What manga is this again?

LWriter 2025-10-17 17:19:11 UTC #45

Oh no, he’s a monster lol, the dude eats people’s skulls but also very much as you said. It tickles me when I can get that on a literal and not so literal sense at the same time. He’s a force of his own, but also one created by the protagonist’s central conflict, and she must resolve it internally (her emotions) as well as externally, defeating him.

thecamrendutha 2025-10-19 04:38:14 UTC #46

exactly. even though he’s only mentioned through legends and stories, his presence still lingers in the world. that’s actually my favorite part of writing nibelung. he’s never truly present, yet you can still feel how people fear him.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-19 06:01:05 UTC #47

Oof, I’ll admit – a comment like that stings a bit, especially since that image’s actually from my own first episode. Every chapter in my webnovel has high-quality art, but I guess people often scroll by without opening it. I’m still trying to figure out how Tapas works myself – only about twenty views across seven episodes so far. Since you seem more experienced there, maybe you’ve got a tip or two on how to get a story noticed?

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-19 06:07:26 UTC #48

Haha, that balance between literal and symbolic horror is exactly what makes characters like him memorable – when the monster is both real and a reflection of the protagonist’s own struggle. The idea that she has to fight him on both fronts – outside and inside – gives the whole story a mythic feel. Almost like she’s battling the shape her grief took when she tried to bury it.
Funny enough, my own antagonist works on a similar principle — he devours hearts, both literally and metaphorically. Seems like our worlds might share a taste for the same kind of darkness.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-19 06:21:26 UTC #49

That’s one of the most powerful kinds of villains – the ones who dominate the story without even stepping onto the stage. That lingering fear says everything about how deep his mark runs in the world. It’s almost like the silence is his voice – still echoing, centuries later.

kyupol 2025-10-19 09:55:11 UTC #50

Oh sorry... checked back on your novel and this time the images loaded. Must be my internet connection...

Tips?

1) promotion threads
2) social media... Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, bitchute, deviantart, reddit, etc.
3) word of mouth
4) join contests, fanart exchange, etc.
5) keep doing threads like these.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-19 10:27:06 UTC #51

No worries – happens to all of us sometimes. And thanks a lot for the tips – really appreciate you taking the time to share them. I’ll definitely try a few of those. Though if my characters ever join a fanart exchange, I’m afraid things might end... messily for the others.

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-20 06:19:21 UTC #52

Seems I’ve just joined the ranks of the “villains” myself – one of my novels got removed on another platform for “insertion of sexual images.” Apparently, that’s strictly against their TOS
So while I’m here asking where everyone gets inspiration for creating killers and villains… turns out I accidentally became one.
Don’t worry though – you won’t find any of those images here

kyupol 2025-10-20 22:53:52 UTC #53

Don't worry you're not the only one. Run into trouble in the past for full nudity and graphic violence.

stiatent 2025-10-21 01:16:52 UTC #54

Dont lose hope - still the best
Think most of us publishers on here had a slow start-
Meanwhile my Voyceme page its just crickets 🤣

The great thing about tapas forums is that its active and its easy to make friends with fellow readers, and in turn check out eachother series etc, that's what helped me mostly with getting readers. Think you on the right track so wishing you luck friend
Nice concept of villian literally eating hearts and cool art too
Also now seein @kyupol tips yea I 2nd those

@kyupol youre right, a twisted version of yourself dialed to max makes a great villian concept

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-22 07:51:25 UTC #55

Haha, yeah, I actually tried explaining that to one moderator – “You do realize my novel is literally called An Immersive Journey into the Real World, right? So of course it reflects the real parts of life – violence and sex included.”
But honestly, hearing that you both went through the same kind of moderation “adventures” makes me feel less like the only outlaw here. Thanks for the encouragement – I’ll keep pushing forward. And @stiatent , yeah, heart-eating villains and slow starts just make the journey more memorable!

valerijsdombrovskis 2025-10-27 07:17:31 UTC #56

CASE FILE: GOBBY
Some stories don’t bloom where they were planted – they move quietly to where silence listens deeper.
I’m not stopping – just searching for a new place where these ideas can breathe, unfold, and be heard. Gobby’s Adventure continues its quiet journey – in another space, under a different light.
To everyone who offered support along the way – thank you. Your attention gave this story its first heartbeat.