Welcome to the Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast. I'm K M. Wyland and I am here to take you

deep with story theory, writing techniques, and the incredible wisdom of story.

I believe story is the greatest power on this earth,

and that as writers, we carry the torch of wielding that power

with responsibility, passion, and skill.

There is no such thing as just a story.

Today, it is my honor and my purpose

to help you write your best story,

astound the world, and maybe change your life.

Hello and welcome.

You are listening to how to use antagonists in your story, the right way and the wrong way.

Using antagonists in your story is a critical skill that can either elevate or undermine your entire story.

In many ways, antagonists are the true architects of unforgettable plots, and as you navigate the path between narrative brilliance and potential pitfalls, the art

of utilizing your story's antagonists becomes crucial to success.

When we think of antagonists and how they should be written,

what often comes to mind are specific characteristics.

We envision villains, or perhaps just complicated anti-heroes who offer enough

charisma and enigma to spark reader curiosity and hopefully create scintillating

scenes with the protagonist.

However, if we zoom back to look at story form,

we see that the antagonist's true function within story is that of creating plot. As the person or

thing standing between the protagonist and the story goal, the antagonist is what creates the conflict.

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