The T-1000, Dolores Umbridge, Hannibal Lecter, and a mosquito walk into a bar. Here’s the single characteristic that makes each of them iconic—and how to build it into your own villain.

Character names carry more meaning than you think. Here's how to choose names that fit your characters' backgrounds, time periods, and personalities—and how to create convincing pseudonyms.

Too many characters and readers lose track. Too few and the story feels empty. Here's how to find the right cast size—and what to do when you have too many.