Devils Never Cry

When we have a bad guy in our stories, we have to make sure to show that he's bad.  Some bad guys become devils.  We always see them plotting and planning and entering a violent, blinding rage.  That guy is a total jerk and we can all agree.

But is that who the person really is, or is it simply what we are shown?  People have hopes and dreams.  Sometimes they go too far or lose their focus, but they tend to be brought back to reality eventually.  People can only handle so many stresses in their lives.  After a breaking point, they have a breakdown.  People cry.  And nothing makes somebody look more human or more pitiful than true, uncontrollable tears.

To make somebody a devil, simply hide their humanity.  To make a devil human, show it.

Writing Exercise:

Write a story from two different perspectives.  In the first story, a particular character is shown to be a complete, unlovable jerk.  In the second, that character is shown to be an understandable and relateable figure.  Have certain actions and scenes universal and present in both, but show how the context between the two of them changes ow the audience relates to that person.