162. How to Build Epic Rivalries Between Heroes and Villains

How To Write The Future

“ Four essential elements of what does it take to build this epic rivalry between your hero and the villain.” - Said by Beth Barany, quoting Bonnie Johnston

Would you like to know how to build epic rivalries between heroes and villains? In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host Beth Barany reads an article written by writing mentor and award-winning author Bonnie Johnston, in which she shares an in-depth breakdown of the four essential elements of epic rivalries, with step-by-step worksheets, available by signing up to Bonnie’s “Arch Enemies” class.

ABOUT BONNIE JOHNSTON

Bonnie Johnston is a writing mentor and award-winning author with a passion for teaching fiction writers how to increase the emotional impact of their stories to turn readers into fans.

She blogs at Write Smarter, Not Harder, where you can download her free ebook, Editing for Story.

She’s also the author of The 30 Day Novel Workbook and The Writer’s Guide to Getting Organized.

ABOUT BETH BARANY

Beth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor.

RESOURCES

Support our work for creatives! Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany

Read the article: How to Build an Epic Rivalry Between Your Hero and Your Villain by Bonnie Johnston

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2019/05/13/how-to-build-an-epic-rivalry-between-your-hero-and-your-villain-by-bonnie-johnston/

• Epic rivalries make for memorable stories -- the kinds of stories that are worth re-reading so we can immerse ourselves in the emotional intensity of the hero’s multi-layered relationship with the villain.
• Get the course “Arch-Enemies” here: **https://bethbarany.com/archenemies [Affiliate link]

GET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HERE

Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/

Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/

Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/

• SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth Barany
• SHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDade

c. 2025 BETH BARANY

https://bethbarany.com/

Questions? Comments? Send us a text!

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CONNECT
Contact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580
Email: [email protected]
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CREDITS
EDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3j
MUSIC: Uppbeat.io
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