What if I don't know my antagonist?

Episode Description

In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire explores one of the main character-development problems writers face: What if I don't know my antagonist?

Claire breaks down the true purpose of an antagonist and, using the Enneagram, shows how understanding your protagonist can help you identify the kind of antagonist who will create the most compelling conflict.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

What an antagonist's actual job is in a story

Why your antagonist doesn't have to be a villain

How the clash between protagonist and antagonist creates narrative energy

Why you need to understand your protagonist before choosing an antagonist

How the Enneagram can help you identify the right antagonist for your story

How a character's core fears can reveal the conflict they most need to face

How different Enneagram types interact and trigger one another

When using the same Enneagram type for protagonist and antagonist can work