Villainy

It is a strange thing to go back a manuscript that’s been neglected in data storage for nearly a decade. As I read through a lot of the words I wonder why I stopped in the middle of such progress. And then I think… okay, yeah, I needed some more perspective on the world and myself to complete this. 

I am definitely a better writer. I realize that as I weed out clunky phrases. I also – considering the matter of this piece – have a broader view of the world now. And that really is a benefit. I hope it will fill the emotional gaps I felt lacking when I created these passages in the beginning and end of my 20’s. 

I don’t know if I was aware of this element when I started writing… or if I have just become that much more sensitive – but my villain is really quite vile. Well. Duh. But having just written a vampire novel… which by nature is populated by monsters… I think this guy really is a monster. Without one bit of paranormal to him. And maybe that’s why I find him so loathsome… because he doesn’t have some corrupted blood altering his ability to choose goodness. He just completely lacks goodness. And the sad thing is… he seems more real to me than my tragic Oliver. Because there are people in this world who are that oblivious to other people. That hatefully ignorant. That racist. That misogynistic. That entitled. That out of touch with their own hurts and frustrations that they unleash God awful hurt on the people around them. 

The fact he came from my imagination… I wonder… what does that say about me?