This session explores how to create villains who feel both believable and unforgettable. Drawing on real-world law enforcement experience, the speaker explains how motivation, psychology, and moral complexity can elevate antagonists and deepen the emotional stakes of a story.
True Grit: Why Grit Matters in Crime Stories
Jack Stallings, David John, Jonathan Woods, and Bill Loehfelm talk about what draws them to crime fiction. They explore the inspirations behind their work, the appeal of moral complexity, and why grit, realism, and hard choices sit at the heart of the genre.
