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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author criticizes Elizabeth Moon for writing one-dimensional villains who would even corrupt harmless activities like golf.
In plain terms
Her villains are always evil and would ruin even a golf game.
What can you take from it?
Avoid creating villains who are evil for no reason.

Where it applies

  • writing advice
  • literary criticism
  • reviewing books

Putting it to work

  • develop nuanced villains
  • avoid cartoonish evil
  • critique character depth

Questions to consider

  • What makes a villain memorable?
  • How do you write evil characters?

Another view

The critique assumes the reader knows who Elizabeth Moon is.

More from James Nicoll

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  2. It takes a courageous Mormon to turn to archaeology to support their argument

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  3. My father once discovered that one cannot 'walk off' gangrene.

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