131+ ‘Antagonist’ Writing Prompts
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Apprentice’s Atonement
Create a redemption arc for a villain previously loyal to the main antagonist but finds courage to defect.
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The Kidnapper’s Perspective
Write a story about a kidnapping event but from the perspective of the kidnapper.
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A Change of Heart
Write a story about a kidnapper who decides to release their captive after developing empathy for them.
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Benevolent Dictator
Create a character that firmly believes that their oppressive regime is the best for their kingdom, and explore their perspective.
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Empathy For Evil
Script a dialogue between your hero and villain, highlighting their philosophical differences.
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The Necessity of a Nemesis
Write about how your hero’s journey would differ without their principal antagonist.
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Innocent Catalysts
Write about a villain who never intended to become one, but circumstances and personal tragedy morphed them into adversaries.
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Evolution of Evil
Dive into the transformation of a minor villain into a fearsome antagonist, outlining the experiences that escalate their villainy.
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The Unexpected Backstabber
Create a narrative where the villain turns out to be the protagonist’s closest companion.
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Meeting with the Antagonist
Craft a dialogue between the protagonist and antagonist, where the protagonist gets a glimpse of the antagonist’s perspective or motive.
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Betrayed by the Beast
Invent a plot twist where the beast, not Gaston, is the true villain of the story.
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Villain’s Motive Mystery
Write about your villain’s motivations, describing their history and influences.
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Labyrinth of Lies
Narrate a story where a charmingly deceptive criminal mastermind leads the detective on a thrilling chase, but with every solved…
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Epochal Time Travel
Describe a chase scene across different periods of history as both the protagonist and antagonist can time travel.
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The Diary of a Bully
Consider the perspective of a bully and write a diary entry filled with self-reflection.
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The Enemy’s Perspective
Narrate the epic saga of superhero-villain rivalry from the villain’s point of view.
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Master Manipulator
Create a story where the antagonist is a master manipulator, subtly influencing the actions of others without their knowledge.
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Dual Psychic Entities
Write a story where the protagonist and antagonist are two conscious entities inside the same individual.
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The Enemy’s Redemption
Imagine a scenario where the antagonist, through self-realization or external influence, attempts to redeem themselves.
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Shifting Sympathies
Write a story where the antagonist is initially reviled, but as the story progresses, the reader’s sympathies shift towards them.
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Plotting the Villain’s Backstory
Write from the antagonist’s perspective about their backstory and what made them turn into the ‘villain’.
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Behind the Mask
Write a backstory for a comic villain, exploring their journey to becoming the antagonist.
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The Misunderstood Antagonist
Write about a villain who believes they are actually the ‘good guy’ and justify their actions.
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Deadly Game of Chess
Write a story about two characters engaged in a cerebral battle with the plot of a murder mystery.
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Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow Revisited
Rewrite Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” from the perspective of the Headless Horseman.
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Diary of the Misunderstood
Pen a diary entry from the point of view of a popular antagonist reimagining them as a misunderstood hero.
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Facing the Galactic Emperor
Luke’s confrontation with the Emperor and acceptance of his own Darkness, plays a pivotal role in his journey. Write about…
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The Equally Matched Nemesis
Write a story featuring an antagonist who is the protagonist’s equal in every respect, forcing a stalemate.
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Unseen Manipulator
Create a narrative revolving around an antagonist who operates from the shadows, influencing events without direct confrontation.
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Antagonist’s Redemption
Write a narrative where the antagonist seeks redemption for their past actions.
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Unforeseen Turncoat
Create a story where a character that was initially presented as an ally turns into an antagonist.
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Sympathetic Shadow
Write about an antagonist who has compelling reasons for their actions, making readers empathize with them.
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The Enemy’s Perspective
Write a story where the antagonist is justified from a different point of view.
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Recounting Rudolf
Create the diary of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, showcasing his thoughts before his capture.
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Scheming Antagonist
Detail the meticulous plan a villain creates to cause chaos or execute their ultimate goal.
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Life’s Antagonists
List the top three “antagonists” or obstacles in your life right now, and describe how you are actively combatting or…
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Rewriting a Classic
Choose a classic fairytale and rewrite it from a different character’s perspective.
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Descent Into the Wolf’s Den
Write a tale exploring the Big Bad Wolf’s perspective in Little Red Riding Hood.
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The Seemingly Evil Savior
Craft a story where the antagonist turns out to be working for the greater good.
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Confronting the Antagonist
Write a scene where the hero and villain face each other for a final showdown.
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Misadventures of the Misunderstood
Write from the perspective of the villain, exploring why they see themselves as the protagonist of their own story.
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Blooming Dark Orchid
Write about a charming protagonist who, bit by bit, is revealed to be the villain.
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The Unseen Enemy
Create a narrative where the antagonist remains a mystery until the end, misleading the protagonist and readers.
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The Villain’s Backstory
Create an antagonist for your adventure story with a detailed past that humanizes them.
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Fear of Heights
Write about a character who must overcome their fear of heights to save someone they love.
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Unexpected Ally
Describe a character who seems to be the antagonist, but turns out to be a surprising ally.
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The Force of Tradition
Develop a story where the antagonist is a family member, opposing the protagonist’s love due to prejudiced beliefs.
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Shattered Bonds: Deceit and Manipulation
Craft a story where the villain manipulates the protagonist into a destructive relationship.
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The Unwanted Suitor
Write an antagonist who is seemingly the perfect partner: charming, rich, attractive, but with a darker side.
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Sinister Beginnings
Write the backstory of your superhero’s arch-nemesis, focusing on the event or events that caused them to turn evil.
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Surviving the March Winds
Write a survival story where the March winds pose a significant challenge.
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Feigned Malevolence
Throughout the storyline, make your villain character act as though they are villainous for reasons society deems unforgivable. In the…
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Benevolence Masked
Write a story where the antagonist is genuinely convinced that their actions, however harmful, are for the greater good.
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Shadow Puppeteer
Weave a narrative where the antagonist operates entirely from the shadows, been seen, but never identified.
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Hidden Identity
Write a story where the antagonist holds a secret identity, known only to a select few.
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Nonsensical Nemesis
Invent a villain in a superhero universe who is not inherently sinister, but rather hilariously unpredictable and chaotic.
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Unpacking the Villain’s Goal
Write about your villain’s ultimate goal and their reasons for desiring it.
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In Their Shoes
Reimagine a renowned classic story, but write it from the perspective of the main antagonist.
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The Villain’s Perspective
Create a compelling backstory for your villain, explaining why they chose a path of evil.
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Cursed Fate
Reimagine one of the Brothers Grimm’s tales where the protagonist becomes the antagonist due to a curse.
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Distortion of Beauty
Revise an over-used horror premise – a creature of grotesque appearance causing fear and chaos – by making the ‘monster’…
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Stolen Dragon Fire
Your hero’s mission is to retrieve stolen dragon fire. How do they go about it and what obstacles do they…
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The Legend of the Pooka
Spin a tales about a Pooka, a shapeshifting creature from Irish mythology, that decides to seek redemption.
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A Rival’s Backstory
Write a chapter from the perspective of the antagonist highlighting their journey, struggles, and motivations.
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Unexpected Alliance
Fabricate a narrative where the antagonist and protagonist must unite to tackle a greater peril.
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Two Sides of the Same Coin
Write a story that switches the roles of the protagonist and the antagonist.
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Role Reversal
Write a scenario where your chosen fandom characters switch roles, radically redefining their dynamics.
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Role Reversal
What would happen in your favorite story if the protagonist and antagonist suddenly swapped roles?
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From Antagonist to Protagonist
Pick a villain character and reimagine them as a hero. Write a fanfiction piece showing their transition from antagonist to…
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Unseen Perspectives
Write a story from the perspective of a minor character or an antagonist in your favorite fandom.
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Resilient Villains
Imagine a scenario where the main antagonist from a popular action movie survives and plots revenge.
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White Whale’s Tale
Moby Dick meets Finding Nemo. Write a “Moby Dick” fanfic from the perspective of the whale.
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Dictatorship & Downfall
Concentrate on the rise and later fall of President Snow, delving deep into his psyche and motivations.
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The Other Side
Write from the perspective of an antagonist like the Darach or the Nogitsune, painting them as a misunderstood character.
