Writing Evil by Yolanda Renee

I was already excited about Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renee, and now that I've gotten a little more insight into the story in this post, I'm even more excited! Yolanda is writing about a topic that's very important to me...evil. (Bwah ha ha ha ha). Seriously though, I think evil characters are some of the easiest to get wrong, and it's great to hear about the care Yolanda put into creating the evil in her novels.

Murder, Madness & Love will be re-released on August 19, 2013

Memories of Murder will be released on October 4, 2013

Isn't that the coolest cover?

            I researched evil before developing the characters in my novels. One such resource was The Writer's Complete Crime Reference Book by Martin Roth. According to Mr. Roth and recent studies regarding serial killers, most cases involving a serial killer are the result of cultural or sociological problems. Mr. Roth went on to describe three types of sociopaths: The visionary type – hears voices that belong to either God or a demon ordering them to kill. The second type finds his gratification over exercising power over his victims, and the third type is pleasure seeker. Mr. Roth goes on to explain that in the majority of cases the serial killer's primary mission is to act out a secret fantasy and may involve: cannibalism, torture, mutilation, etc.

         For Memories of Murder I chose the visionary sociopath with a goal. He doesn't hear the voice of a demon—he believes he is one. My antagonist Lucifer, believes he is evil incarnate and all because of what his mother told him as a child, as well as what he witnessed at a very early age.

         Murder, Madness & Love is a mystery until the unveiling of evil and I don't want to give anything away, but in Memories of Murder the antagonist appears early as his evil self and there is no need to guess the killer. The character of Lucifer believes he is the son of Lucifer.

Below is a short story that I wrote to help create my character but is not included in the book.

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The Making of a Monster

“Congratulations, it’s a boy!”

“I know. I’ve always known I’d have a son.” Bell declared as she took him from the nurse and let him rest against her bosom. “You are so beautiful my little one.”

“Do you have a name picked out?”

“Lucifer S. Reynard,” Bell said proudly. She pretended not to notice the surprised look of the doctor and nurses.

“That’s a…different name. Is it his father’s?” The doctor asked.

“Of course. Who else would he be named after?”

“Then that’s the name you want on the birth certificate? The S, what does it stand for.” The nurse inquired.

“The S is just an initial, you know like Harry S. Truman.” She leaned back against the pillow and cuddled her tiny bundle. Bell was nineteen and a prostitute, had been since the age of twelve after running away from her foster parents. This was her first pregnancy. It was a planned pregnancy.

“Mommies little monster,” she whispered. “We know your daddy don’t we. The S stands for Samael, but they don’t need to know that. In time, though, they’ll know it. In time, all in good time,” she smiled and relaxed in her happiness.

“Do you want him circumcised?”

“No. It’s not necessary.”

“Have you considered the hygiene factor? We've done a number of circumcisions on older children because of a lack of cleanliness.”

Bell sneered. “My Lucii will not be cut for any reason!” The tone of her voice shocked them all. “It’s barbarian and unnatural, and it’s my decision.”

Her outburst stopped them in their tracks. Silence followed and a harsh tension permeated the room. They observed her carefully, but relaxed when they noticed that she was happily feeding her tiny son.

Do you want me to have a member of the La Leche League drop by to see you?” the nurse asked.

“Why, doesn’t it look like I know what I’m doing? Just clean him up, and let me get a shower. I plan to go home today. I can’t afford to lie around a hospital.”

Bell had a Black Sabbath to attend. Tonight she would give her child to the cause. She would present him to the priests and he would be marked as the one. The celebration would go on for three days and adoration and respect would be hers.

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Learn more about Renee and her books following these links:

Yolanda Renée

Defending the Pen
The Books

Memories of Murder - Excerpt

Murder, Madness & Love - Excerpt