Writing scary villains - by Vijaya Schartz

 I love colorful characters and I confess that the villains in my stories are just as interesting and fascinating as the hero and heroine. It’s not by accident. First, a hero or heroine can only be as heroic as the villain is dangerous. A weak villain presents no threat to the protagonist. Then, there is the liberating factor. 

When I started writing, I couldn’t imagine telling the story from the mind of a bad person. It seemed sinful, naughty at best. But while writing my first book, I accidently jumped into my villain’s head. As I descended into the dark abyss of my evil character’s psyche, viewing the world from his twisted mind, I had a life-changing revelation... I enjoyed it! 

Some memorable villains in the two Archangel books.

Was I a bad person? I pride myself in being spiritual and this new discovery was disturbing. According to what I learned as a writer, however, no one is totally good or totally bad. We are all nuances of light and dark, some darker than others. After dealing with the guilt, questioning my righteousness and my sanity, I realized that being able to understand sinful intents and the mechanisms and motivations of evil people was a good thing for a writer. 

Ancient Enemy series:
"Captain Kavak certainly ranks as one of the worst villains ever encountered!"
 ck2skwips&Kritiques

Ever since, I make it a point to develop my villains, and some of them are so evil, they will give you thrills and shivers. That’s the case for the villains of my September release, Malaika’s Secret. Admiral Mort Lowell was born on a dark moon of Tenebra II. Half Human and half Tenebran, he was rejected by both races as a child for his hybrid looks. Drawing support from a mysterious secret society, he quickly rose in the ranks of the Galactic Trade Alliance. 

Because of his white skin, black hair, and the black visor protecting his sensitive retinas, some call him a Vampire. Others call him a shark because of his sharp, pointed teeth. But those who fear him for his scary looks have no idea how dangerous and wicked the man is inside, or from where he draws his power. 

The paperback is available now, and the eBook is in pre-order, to be delivered on September 3rd. Order it today from your favorite online store HERE.

Special Agent Tyler Conrad works security undercover on the Byzantium Space Station and adheres to a strict moral code. When strange beings with wings are murdered, and a dangerous lion wanders the station’s indoor streets, Tyler’s investigation leads him to a mysterious woman, who could make him break all his rules and get them both killed.

Forbidden to love, the beautiful Malaika, guardian of the glowing crystal in the temple of the Formless One, is an illegal mind-reader who hides perilous secrets. She has seen the great evil coming to Byzantium but must hide her extraordinary abilities or perish with her people.

When Admiral Mort Lowell, a hybrid Tenebran nicknamed the Vampire, makes a surprise visit to Byzantium, Tyler knows something wicked is afoot…

The previous books in the Byzantium Space Station series are: BLACK DRAGON (Book 1) and AKIRA'S CHOICE (Book 2). Although each novel stands alone, this is the right order for the series. Find the links below my signature line.

 

Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB 

Imagining a future society of mind readers - by Vijaya Schartz

Interesting world, one where people do not need to talk to communicate, but can simply access each other’s mind. In the Azura Chronicles, my angel planet harbors beings able to read minds… among other psychic powers. In my new series, Byzantium, starting this June, these angels and other mind readers interact on a space station.

But would mind reading be such a rarity in the future? With the help of a little electronic implant, could we access other peoples’ minds like we access a phone or a computer by asking Alexa? Of course, it would start with such implants for government spies and rich magnates. But if it spread to the population at large, what would be the social repercussions of such technology? No more lies? No more crimes? No more privacy?

Would we behave the same way if our mind were an open book? Would thoughts be monitored by the authorities to deter crime and terrorism? Would people get arrested for criminal intent without actually committing the crime, like in the Minority Report movie? Would more people commit suicide to avoid public shame?

Of course, the bad guys would find a way to circumvent the technology. Some governments might want to do the same. All governments keep secrets. Can we handle full transparency?

The same way pioneers went west to escape war, misery, and strict political and religious rules, I believe people would try to escape such invasive technology to return to a simpler way of life. And there are plenty of opportunities in space. Wild planets needing settling, living off the land, etc.

As a writer, I find all these issues fascinating, and I see many potential stories there. I believe writing the possible future takes a dose of philosophy... and some responsibility. I like to think my picture of the future sheds light on potential future problems, and brings some hope for those who will follow in our footsteps.

Read my latest Azura Chronicle novel, ANGEL FIERCE, Book Two, a February 2019 release from BWL Publishing:

amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/921518

All Maksou wanted was to rescue his trapped friends and get rich in the process. But this forbidden blue planet crawls with lethal life forms… including Urielle, a gorgeous angel of frightening power, who saves his life but shuns his irresistible charm.

Urielle, Legion Commander of the Avenging Angels, is sworn to protect Azura at all costs. She has no use for a maverick intruder who ignores the rules and endangers the planet by his very presence… no matter how handsome and charming. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.

When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.

HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz, author
 Romance with a Kick
 http://www.vijayaschartz.com
 amazon  -  B&N  -  Smashwords  -  Kobo  -  FB