Rules for Writing the Foil Character

The foil character is the opposite—the stark contrast to the main character, like Tinker Belle is to Peter Pan, essentially.

Which reminds me.

Today, I have a post for you…

Rules for Writing the Foil Character by Ava Murbarger!

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Five Steps to being the Foil Character

1. Your main purpose has nothing to do with you. You are here to make the main character shine, and that’s about as far as things go though sometimes people end up liking you more.

2. If the hero in your story is unusual, you have to work double-time to make them believable. That’s you making them do the things they do. Good luck.

3. Internal conflict? You’re here to make the hero’s internal external. Do whatever you must.

4. Be the opposite of the main character. That’s right, you have to do all this whilekeeping yourself completely different. Is the hero trusting? You’re cynical. Cheerful? Well, you’re down in the dumps. Noble? Hate to tell you, but you’re a coward now.

5. Sometimes being the foil character takes you all the way into being the antagonist! You have become so opposite to the hero that you are now practically the villain. If so, you’re doing your job right, though some won’t take it this far. BONUS: Sometimes you’re a setting! Either way, you’re something for the hero to react to. Are they sunshine all the time? You’re stormclouds and puddles.

Now get out there and be opposite!

Ava Murbarger is an aspiring Christian author who enjoys writing in a range of genres- from fantasy, to sci-fi, to contemporary- and loves stories with themes that ring true, even if they aren’t played out in a real setting. She lives in southeastern Illinois, in a town doing its best to become a city. When she’s not thinking up new stories to tell or mapping out strange worlds, she enjoys reading, worshipping on her guitar, and going to camp each summer. You can contact her at murbargerava@gmail.com.

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See what I mean? Understand my reference of Peter Pan and Tinker Belle?

Who is your favorite foil character and why? Comment below with your answer!