Yahoo Image Search. I think they’re from Monster Hunter Video Games.
I did a lot of thinking while stuck in bed. Eventually, my thoughts went to my books and I started pondering Clyde again. For those new to here, Clyde is a powerful vampire and will be the main ‘hero’ of my second series. He’s vicious, violent, and a pure monster, but he gets the ‘hero’ role because of the plot. Basically, he is a new type of vampire who can retain his abilities in the sunlight while the old vampires lose their abilities (unless they know some spells) in sunlight. So, he leads the rebels and it shows how the dawnfangs came to exist and integrate with the rest of the world. Here’s a post on them.
One of the problems that I’ve always had with Clyde is that he’s so powerful, it’s hard to write him losing. This is in terms of physicality and violence. I’ve tried to temper him with a sense of boredom if the fight isn’t a challenge. That’s why so many of his enemies live being one encounter. He is a monster who will only kill to eat or if someone has earned to be killed by him. Yet, I need to find a way to give readers a sense that he could be killed. Truthfully, all dawnfangs are really hard to kill because you need to impale the heart and remove the head. Doing only one allows them to be resurrected. Again, this poses a problem.
Another method I used to counter this was to make most of Clyde’s enemies superior in terms of cunning and magic. His main nemesis is a vampiric sorcerer and noble with an army behind him. There is a vampire queen who makes an appearance and is able to manipulate Clyde and a threat of Clyde being depowered. The vampirized demon comes close. In the end, I had to make the greatest threat to Clyde his own bloodlust and temper. A lingering risk that he could reach a point of rage where he decides to destroying everything in his path.
Still, how does one utilize a powerful monster as a main character? We live in a time where people don’t like the unstoppable force even if they have major character flaws. I can’t see doing this character any other way. An alteration losing something that has made him a favorite of mine since 1999. I love his power and his violence and his rage. Maybe because it’s so different from Luke and the heroes of Legends of Windemere. So, the question keeps coming up about what to do about him unless I’m worried over nothing. I did a test scene with Clyde once and people seemed to like it. Well, 4 people commented that they liked it, which was big back then.
This is a lot of me hashing out my own thoughts and wondering about an idea I had while I was exhausted. How do I make a monster for my monster? Do I go through with an idea of a villain that is created solely to destroy Clyde? If I do, should I kill off other main characters to prove this guy’s lethality? I already do that when a fake Clyde shows up in the finale, but that character still doesn’t have the same impact that I want. I guess I want a true Monster Vs Monster book.
Legends of Windemere 
Monster vs. monster can be hard. I liked the idea of a monster created solely to destroy Clyde – what if all his enemies ganged up to bring that monster into being? I liked that part too, about his his allies being knocked off – it pushes the ante higher and higher. It feels more suspenseful – in my head, at any rate.
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That’s part of the problem. I do that in the last book, but the monster still doesn’t have the physical oomph to threaten Clyde. I can’t change the powers either for spoiler reasons. I started toying with the idea of a character whose family was killed by Clyde and this sets off some type of reaction. The guy grows into a physical monster. Maybe kidnap allies out of fear that killing them would make Clyde angry? Unless I use one trick to make Clyde think they’re all dead.
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Actually, I think you gave me an idea and I might be able to post a test scene tomorrow.
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Awesome – looking forward to the test scene!
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Might have fun with character poems off my vampire characters on Friday too. Done a lot of vampire weeks though.
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‘Tis the season, though, for vamps and other monsters that go bump in the night (or daylight in this case)!
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Somebody really needs to buy those things glasses or night vision goggles. It’s obviously too dark for them.
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Obviously. . . klutzy monsters. Klutzy monsters with night vision goggles. Now *that’s* a scary thought! 🙂
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You’d think they were designed to be nocturnal. Poor furry, oozy things.
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Aw, kinda makes me want to give ’em a cookie!
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You can, but I hear only one of the monsters loves cookies.
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Oh dear – I’ll just leave the plate, run for cover and hope for the best, then!
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I have much the same issue with Catskinner. I designed Catskinner to be the top of the food chain in terms of combat abilities–one on one he can take out anything that is sent against him.
However, there are a lot of human beings in the world, and if enough of them–even ordinary people–jump him at once, he’s going to go down. One foil you might consider for Clyde is a charismatic leader who uses cult programming or magic (or both) to gather an army of people who are willing to die for their cause. No matter how tough he is, if a thousand humans attack him with no thought to their own survival, they can simply bury him under a mass of bodies.
This is also good because it’s hard to beat a monster who looks like a normal person but is willing to kill vast numbers of his own followers to defeat an enemy. (I’m working on that sort of plot for my next book, which is why I’m thinking along those lines.)
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His arch-enemy is kind of like that. He’s the only dawnfang vampire who can use magic, which gives him an edge against Clyde. Problem is Clyde still doesn’t fear him. Good idea to add the wave of sacrificial lambs mentality though. Being a vampire, he could make a huge obedient army and send them to their death against Clyde.
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good post, i appreciate your dilema, i have an ultimate baddie who will be in a similar predicament, but i have a few thoughts on who to pit against him to even the odds. I like the idea of a monster vs monster book, a manual or enchiridion of evil entities perhaps. much to ponder, thanks for this Charles. be well, pal 🙂
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Thanks. I’m curious to see where I go with this.
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Even Superman was defeated by Doomsday. I think that type of character is fascinating. No fear, having the supreme and absolute knowledge that whomever he faces is inferior in combat to him, but his confidence(arrogance) can be used against him. Maybe make the character unwilling to use his full abilities due to something that happened long ago. A concern of the same situation occurring again.
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Wait. That sounds like you’re telling me how to make a hero to fight Clyde. I’m confused now.
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No silly Charles! Clyde could be unwilling to use his full repertoire of powers due to something that happened long ago. We know he can defeat anyone, he knows he can defeat anyone, but because he holds back he loses on occasion…
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I hate to say it, but I’m having trouble imagining Clyde being the type to hold back because of a past event. The only reason he holds back is if he doesn’t think his enemy is worthy. Though, I might go the path of a villain that is as cocky as Clyde and immune to all of his attacks. Give Clyde a reason to get stronger or be afraid. So far, I haven’t seen a story where Clyde is actually in fear of losing.
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Can you picture something in Clyde’s past that would cause him to pause, or to hold back even for a second? A concern(not a fear) over collateral damage maybe? Or is he just uncaring in that manner?
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Uncaring. Unlike my other heroes, Clyde isn’t concerned with innocent bystanders. The only reason he’s the ‘hero’ is because he’s less megalomaniacal than the villain. More interested than fighting and being left alone.
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Like Stone Cold Steve Austin?
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Or traditional Undertaker.
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Hashing and playing with ideas is the only way to get anything interesting to come out of our heads. Sometimes paper and pens isn’t enough. Sometimes a window with a view to the outdoors will suffice to get the brain juices going. Whatever method, the point of it is to get those ideas out so others can share in your world!
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Thanks. Maybe the test scene will help.
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This is a tough one for which I have no real advice, sorry, but it was a great post with a very difficult dilemma to solve. I wish you the best in resolving this problem.
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Thanks. Hopefully, I come up with something by the end of the week. Tomorrow afternoon might have a test scene up to see how the initial confrontation works.
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Try this…
The Angel stood before Clyde, his black eyes seeing into Clyde’s past and present. The low thrumming of the sword he held was a physical presence. Clyde looked at the Angel with contempt, but he felt a longing too. A longing…? Felt…? It’d been so long but…it was there. Clyde fought the impulse to walk into the swords aura. What in the hell was going on?
When the Angel spoke his voice was a cacophony of many voices. The sound of rushing waters. The beating of wings
“I am Cassiel, the Guardian of the Moon and wandering souls” Cassiel’s wings spreading out as he continued to speak. “I am your judgement Vampire”.He raised his sword…The thrumming sound slowing, like a heartbeat that Clyde had not felt for many, many years. But he could feel the sound in his chest, like fingers…pulling him, drawing him.
Clyde awoke with a sharp cry and sat up from his rest. He was frightened.
This dream didn’t fade away like the one’s he had before…long ago. He whispered to himself…”Cassiel”.
I haven’t read anything on Clyde yet, but I am going to. I just thought an Angel might be a match. Maybe an Angel who takes his job seriously serious. He only comes for the bad ones. Lot’s of powers and abilities can be created here. Just an idea…heck, I think I’ll use it! LOL!!!
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Interesting. So far I have the Angels as an extinct race on Windemere. As for the vampires, they aren’t the strict ‘evil’ creatures. Although, Clyde isn’t really nice if someone angers him. The short story I have linked in here proves that. Still, an Angel would be a fun fight for him. He already has a vampirized demon.
This is similar to what I had planned for one book where rumors of an orb that can depower Clyde appear. So it’s a race between everyone to get the orb.
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Let’s say that Cassiel is from somewhere else. Like, He is actually Clydes lost soul. Plus when you say interesting you mean it sux! LOL!!!
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To be honest, I never attached my vampires to religion beyond being hurt by holy magic. Fantasy works differently with bloodsuckers in that respect. The Angels of Windemere were actually an early attempt by the Gods to make a pure good species, but they were so good that they were pacifists. So, the demons wiped them out.
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Oh Well, I’ll read your old dumb book and try again! LOL!!
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I’m not sure I’m going to be much help, but every hero (or antihero, in this case) needs a weakness. The antihero usually has a very small circle of concern and will do whatever it takes to protect whatever that is. Take Walt in Breaking Bad. He’s pretty depraved but will do anything to protect his family. The readers need to fear for him to get emotionally involved. If he’s all powerful then that’s just boring.
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That’s where the issue with Clyde comes in. He is extremely powerful, so I’ve limited him to only 1 or 2 fights in most books. I’ve written test scenes in the past where Clyde is more sensitive or vulnerable. They haven’t come out well because Clyde loses some of his oomph.
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