Goodreads Synopsis:
Your hero is not the most important character in your book. Your villain is.
Are you fed up of drowning in two-dimensional villains? Frustrated with creating clichés? And failing to get your reader to root for your villain?
In 13 Steps to Evil, you’ll discover:
How to develop a villain’s mindset
A step-by-step guide to creating your villain from the ground up
Why getting to the core of a villain’s personality is essential to make them credible
What pitfalls and clichés to avoid as well as the tropes your story needs
Finally, there is a comprehensive writing guide to help you create superbad villains. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned writer, this book will help power up your bad guy and give them that extra edge.
These lessons will help you master and control your villainous minions, navigate and gain the perfect balance of good and evil, as well as strengthening your villain to give your story the tension and punch it needs.
If you like dark humour, learning through examples and want to create the best villains you can, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting superbad villains. Read 13 steps to evil today and start creating kick ass villains.
My review:
Confession time. No, it’s nothing to do with my prison record, or my descent into villainy. It’s simply this – I’m pretty lazy about reading books about writing – but Sacha Black’s 13 Steps To Evil has completely changed my mind! What a fantastic kick ass little book! I wish I’d read a copy years ago.
It’s a detailed resource, which informs and entertains in an illuminating, and humorous way. There are so many excellent examples that I am giddy with the potential for villains. The mental health section is handled with great sensitivity (one of my characters self-harms, so I read this with considerable interest,) and I was also fascinated by the detail on narcissistic personality disorder too.
Sacha’s extensive knowledge of villains prompts me to ask….. Is Sacha a secret villain? Or has she been hanging out with dodgy characters? The mind boggles. No, none of these apply… at least I don’t think so! Sacha Black has done her research, and it shows. She studied Psychology to 1st Class Degree level and thereafter completed Masters in Research Methods in Cognitive Neuropsychology. She has also spent an exorbitant amount of time watching villainous films, (from a tender age,) and has read tonnes of books, and absorbed popular culture like a sponge. Where does this woman get her energy? I am in awe, totally star-stuck… or should I say villain struck!
My recommendation: 5 stars. Get a copy now and write a review. Share the love!
Check out the current Blog Tour hosts….
DISCLAIMER: “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
My opinions are my own and any reviews on this site have not been swayed or altered in any way by monetary compensation, or by the offer of a free book in exchange for a review.
Buy Links: http://books2read.com/13stepstoevil
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Great book
Fantastic review, Marje! I love how you described it as a “kick ass little book.” Sorta describes Sacha’s personality, too 🙂 ♥
Yes it does doesn’t it!!!! xx
Love your review, Marje! Glad you got so much out of it, I think a lot of people will find this a useful to improve their writing. I have. I’m lime you, not very good at reading writing craft books, I find them so preachy (is that a word?😆) but Sacha’s book is not like that, it’s genuinely entertaining and informative to read. Have a lovely day! 😊
Yes I couldn’t agree more Ali. Hope your Saturday is treating you well. See you next week! 🙂 xx
Look at you dolling out compliments that make me blush! <3
Reblogged this on firefly465.
Thank you for reblogging Adele. 🙂
your welcome Marje. xxx
Sacha’s book sounds brilliant. Mind you, if bloggers start disappearing at the Bloggers Bash we will know who to seek out first [smile].
Yes indeed it is. I shall be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour! Looking forward to the bash. I shall be there… are you going Robbie?
No, sadly not. I live in South Africa and it is a bit far to travel.
muhahahahah *rubs hands together*
If you’re wearing stilettos I’m doing a runner!
I too am a Sacha fan. Excellent review.
Thank you for such an amazing review Marje <3 <3
Great post, Marjorie. For me, I guess like most, villains are the left out bunch. I don’t want to like them, even to think too much about them. Yet some of my favorite books are about them. Sacha’s book is one that I need. 🙂