{"product_id":"exploring-the-villains-journey-crafting-compelling-antagonists","title":"Exploring the Villain's Journey: Crafting Compelling Antagonists","description":"\u003cp\u003eSo much time is spent on the hero's journey when writers are crafting their characters that it is not uncommon to overlook the importance of exploring the villain's journey for those pesky antagonists. In this OnDemand webinar, Vanessa Riley focuses on creating character arcs for villains and complex antagonists, exploring what makes the truly great baddies so memorable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eVanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels such as \u003cem\u003eIsland Queen\u003c\/em\u003e, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and \u003cem\u003eQueen of Exiles\u003c\/em\u003e, an ABC View Lit Pick. She was honored as the 2024 Georgia Mystery\/Detective Author of the year for \u003cem\u003eMurder in Drury Lane\u003c\/em\u003e and the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the \u003cem\u003eYear for Sister Mother Warrior\u003c\/em\u003e. Her craft highlights hidden narratives of power, love, and sisterhoods of Black women and women of color in historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Her works have received praise from publications like the \u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e, NPR, \u003cem\u003ePublisher Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e, and T\u003cem\u003ehe New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn addition to penning over twenty-five novels, Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and STEM degrees from Penn State, adding a research-oriented approach to her writing while emphasizing inclusive storytelling about the Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAs a member of Regency Fiction Writers, Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction Writers Association, Christian Book Lovers Retreat, and the Historical Novel Society, Vanessa advocates for diverse voices. She's also working to increase Sickle Cell Anemia awareness. When she's not writing, she can be found baking, crafting her Trinidadian grandma's recipes, or relaxing on her southern porch sipping caffeine.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writer's Digest Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833533190385,"sku":"WDSETVJCCA","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0107\/4046\/5730\/files\/WDU-2025-NovelWritingVirtualConference-360x485-VillainsJourney.jpg?v=1756144452","url":"https:\/\/writersdigestshop.com\/products\/exploring-the-villains-journey-crafting-compelling-antagonists","provider":"Writer's Digest Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}