Is your antagonist based on a real person? The one in my WIP is someone I know but I don’t see very often. It’s been years since we’ve had to be in the same place at the same time for a few days. The problem is that he’s changed. He’s older, nicer, and more responsible.
When I go back to my story to continue the increasing tension with my antagonist, it’s hard to make him do the exaggerated actions I’ve planned. I think of the real person instead of the mean character and I feel sympathy for him. How can I make the character continue the emotional torture he causes people if I’m sorry for him?
Somehow, I’ll have to separate the two in my mind. Maybe it will take some time. I hope not too long.
Do you have that problem with any of your characters?
Hmmm — a warning against basing a character on real life unless you’re doing a memoir. People never do what they’re supposed to and they nearly always change. Good luck.
Words of wisdom, Ladywinfred.