• Home
  • Books
  • Blog
  • About
  • Podcasts, TV, Interviews & More
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Heather Day Gilbert

Author

Who’s Bad?

Just a quick Friday question:

In all your fiction reading, classic or modern, who’s the baddest of the bad villains you’ve ever come across? Or even the worst main character that you loved to hate?

Both of these two were pretty bad! But we still loved reading about them…

Or for a modern bad girl, how about Hilly Holbrook, from The Help?

And let’s not forget the strange, yet sad Gollum. Sometimes you’re screaming “Don’t trust him!” and sometimes you’re feeling sorry for him.

Sometimes these baddies redeem themselves and change, sometimes they don’t. But the best-written baddies have one thing in common–they’re multi-faceted.

****SO who’s your baddest of the BAD? Does he/she change throughout the story?****

Share
Pin
Email
Print


bad characters// character development

« Newbie Writing Mistakes Monday–FORMATTING ISSUES
Newbie Writing Mistakes Monday–TAKING CRITICISM »

Comments

  1. TC Avey says

    March 9, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Gone with the Wind is one of my all time fav's! It's such a complex story that you find yourself liking and hating various characters throughout.

  2. Sarah says

    March 9, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    Totally agree that Hilly is the worst! When I was reading that book I kept waiting for her to have SOME redeeming feature, but she didn't!

  3. Sarah Pearson says

    March 10, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Oooh, this is a tough one. In all the best stories, I go from hating to liking a character so many times 🙂

  4. K. Turley (Clutzattack) says

    March 10, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Can't think of any books off the top of my head, but one of my favorite villains is the Joker from Batman. He's just so wicked how can you not be impressed?

  5. mshatch says

    March 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    I'm going to have to Snape, because out of all the many villains I can think of he has the most depth to his character.

  6. Heather Day Gilbert says

    March 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    I hate to admit that I haven't read much of HP books (up to the 3rd book, maybe?). But I think they picked a good actor for Snape in the movie version–you were never sure if he was good or bad. Good example!

  7. Susan Gourley/Kelley says

    March 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    The baddest changes with what I'm watching or reading. With the Games of Thrones resuming in April, I'm watching the first season over again and I vote for Little Finger as the worst ever.

  8. Heather Day Gilbert says

    March 11, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    I'm totally behind the times, but that's a TV show, right, Susan?

Hi, I’m Heather…

I write contemporary mysteries and Viking historicals. Born and brought up in the mountains of West Virginia, I enjoy writing about small towns, family relationships, and women who aren't afraid to protect those they love. Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • BookBub
  • Goodreads

Join Me on Instagram

Anyone else feel the bulb catalogues target us whe Anyone else feel the bulb catalogues target us when everything is looking so dead and blah? I have some daffodils and scrappy looking tulip leaves emerging but here’s hoping the snow season ends soon. ❄️☕️❄️#flowersofinstagram #flowerlovers🌸♥️ #springflowers🌸 #authorlife
Had a wonderful time this weekend speaking on an a Had a wonderful time this weekend speaking on an author panel @bjuedu with authors Jamie Langston Turner and Emily Golus (@worldofvindor) with @inkwellmagazine. What a wealth of experience these talented authors brought to the table for the guests and writers who attended! Also met author @louannkeisereditor, who was a delight to speak with. Then got to hang out with my lifelong friend @rachelcohee and her husband and daughter and brunch @grandbohemianlodgegreenville at the Between the Trees restaurant. Then capped things off at a bookstore that was hopping! What a much-needed time of relaxation with my husband, who graciously schleps my book boxes and takes event photos for me!📚#authorlife #wvauthor
All 10 covers of my Barks & Beans Cafe #cozymyster All 10 covers of my Barks & Beans Cafe #cozymysteries—how many have you read? These are books 1-9 and my standalone novella House Blend. If you love #shelterdogs, coffee, and #mystery, check out this small-town series set in #lewisburgwv! 🐶☕️📚 #cozymysteryseries
One more day on sale for 99c/Kindle! 3-book boxed One more day on sale for 99c/Kindle! 3-book boxed set of fan favorite #Christianmysteries featuring #amateursleuth Tess Spencer 📚☕️Check out the Murder in the Mountains set on Amazon now! #wvwritersworkshop #wildandwonderfulwv #wvmountainmama
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Goodreads
  • Home
  • Books
  • Blog
  • About
  • Podcasts, TV, Interviews & More
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Heather Day Gilbert · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy