I've come up with this deliciously wicked character I would like to use as the 1st person POV in a novel length work. When working with dark characters in the past I have used other characters as POV to create and sustain reader interest and sympathy. But with this new character I'd really like the read to be experienced through the bad guy's eyes. I'm thinking of a work inspired by personas like Shakespeare's Richard III, Francis Uhruquat from Michael Dobb's 'House of Cards', or the Vicomte de Valmont of de Laclos's 'dangerous Liaisons'. They are wicked guys but not necessarily dark and serious, which I think makes them appealing. My goal is to have the reader want the wicked character to ultimately fail but enjoy the experience of being with him through the tale. So, I'm looking for any advice you guys might give such as things I should be weary of or strategies you might suggest.

Here's my brief plan: Fantasy world setting. All magic is horded by an ageless sorceress considered a goddess-queen. Every century or so she appoints a new prince to run things while she lives in luxury on a island far out to sea. Our character the wicked prince has discovered it's his turn to be replaced. The queen's magic that kept him ageless for two hundred years will be revoked leaving him to age quickly and die. But he has been planning for this event for a long time. He has set up an intricate scheme to ensure his eternal presence as wicked prince. he does not want to usurp the queen, he just wants to remain as prince. But his passion to remain as Prince is such that he will be ruthless in his quest for survival.
I'd love to get your input. Thanks, ram.

Well, I want to read it already. I would say, as a reader, that if you want to keep me with him throughout a long story, then he needs some kind of redeeming characteristic, or a very good adversary (which I have to assume the goddess-queen is.) Perhaps someone could be more wicked than he is? Then I would be glad when he outwits them. Wishing you luck. Now waiting for chapter one....... Where is it? Shanna, the very definition of patience:-)

I wish I had some thoughts but, alas, I'm afraid I'm not a good resource for this sort of thing. The premise sounds interesting. I saw "Dangerous Liaisons" so I know of what you are speaking. It could be a tale of intricate play and counter-play. You'll have to decide if he has managed to learn any magic in those years. Decide if he gets double-crossed by someone whom he thinks he can trust. It sounds like it's full of opportunities! Good luck !

Like Shoshanna said, the character needs a trait that the readers can sympathize with. I wouldn't call it a redeeming characteristic, because that implies that he might become a hero instead of remaining an evil protagonist, but there has to be something that makes the reader identify with the villain. Actually, the part of the premise is something we can all identify with - fighting against aging. If you keep that as a central goal of his, it will go a long way towards making the story work. After all, we may not agree with his methods, but deep down, can we truly say that we wouldn't do the same in his place?

Thanks guys for the feedback. This is something I would like to post here as I work on it 'cos my 1st person POV skills are weak. Thanks.

Hi. As I read your outline/synopsis, the very first thought I had was: He didn't know in advance that the corporate benefit of being ageless was a short-term perk (in terms of eternity, that is) ?

If Prince Wicked has been duped or betrayed, you have a pretty good foundation for making the audience root for him. Well, the male audience, anyway.

You see, my second thought was: Cool. Queen Sorceress uses men. Uhhh...I mean-- only uses MEN to run things. As a representative of your female audience, I would very much want to know how she manages this. (hehe)
charlene

Hi, Charlene. Thanks for your input.

You have some provocative ideas. I would say that the sorceress is able to dominate the men of her world because she is not afraid of them. She's not afraid to be herself. I have been intrigued by feminine power and went around gobbling up books to find out more. Where I found some of the best advice for writers was with authors who followed James Campbell's mythological 'archetype' studies but they were in disagreement with him when it came to the roles of the HEROINE.

There are a lot of books written on this subject. My favorite is '45 Master Characters' by Victoria Schmidt. It gives a female slant on male-based archetypes.

As for the sorceress and the wicked prince I see their relationship more as mother and child. She's telling him he's grounded when he wants to go out to play. And to the child, the power of the mother is mysterious, almost 'magical'. Thanks for your input. ram

I think you're right about = parts of wit and wickedness. It's the wit that seems most challenging to me to sustain throughout the tale. Thanks for the input Nu-be and glad to see you in this forum.