How to write a bully that doesn't sound cliche

I think many people write bullies badly - including many who were bullied as kids. Often bully victims get singled out because of poor social skills, and those same difficulties make it hard for them to see the complexities of how the bully wins the approval of others. They only see the bullying side, so when they try to write a bully, they write a one-dimensional bully.

I know I've struggled with that, and now force myself, whenever I write bullying, to take the bully's perspective and make sure it makes sense.

Make him somewhat sympathetic. Give a reason to justify why he's a jerk somewhat

This, this, this.

Failure to do this is the number one problem with most fictional bullies. Often, they're just Card Carrying Villains with no substance and an unnatural antagonism towards the main character.

Make sure you don't make him too sympathetic though

^ I love that quote in your sig. Especially with the new context.

Himg him traits unrelated to bullying.

Don't have him bully just because.

For example, the reason for the reputation of intimidation is because he is a scary leader that gets things done nonetheless.

Fundraiser? Outdoes the competition. Sports? Wins plenty. Group assigned project? Doesn't disappoint. All without sabotage.

The only problem is that he has no respect for slackers. His rhetoric will tear down anyone utters the word "Eh." or "I don't think I can do it."

Those that make him out to be a bully are those that failed to convince him that they are worth anything.

edited 7th Jun '11 2:50:50 PM by Worlder

Depending on how old your characters are, don't leave your protagonist with squeaky-clean hands.

Kids, especially kids in social situations where bullying is prevalent, can be pretty horrible to each other. I was bullied in school, but I was also dismissive, mean and hurtful to plenty of kids "below" me in the pecking order. Sometimes this was because I didn't have the courage to stand up to the crowd, sometimes it was because I didn't realise how much it would hurt them and sometimes it was because I just plain didn't like them.

The vast majority of people I know did the same thing. The people who didn't (while lovely) were normally so far at the bottom of the barrel that they had the worst time at school out of all of us.

Well the guy, Nolan has a grudge against Skye for getting him in trouble when he (Nolan) beat up his friend(because the friend was Jewish). Nolan got kicked off the soccer team for it.

Skye also has a reserved 'keep to myself' nature and doesn't get close to people because he doesn't think they can be trusted. He isn't likely to go out of his way to pick on kids.

Nolan's dad is the chief of the police and they're upstanding members of the community. Skye maintains that Nolan's dad is a 'lousy chief' and views him as 'corrupt'. Nolan views Skye as being "self righteous' and 'high and mighty'.

edited 8th Jun '11 3:23:14 PM by JewelyJ

By the sarcasm, I meant the Pokemon comment. But I guess that works too.

I was a bully once. Now I'm not, I think.

Draco in Leather Pants seems to be less about being too sympathetic than it is about being too physically attractive. I don't think this will be a problem with a written work.

By the way, are you sure Stryke is a Jewish name? It doesn't seem like one to me.

edited 8th Jun '11 9:15:44 PM by OrangeAipom

If he doesn't go out of his way to get close to people he could still be dismissive and cold towards other kids. This can be a form of bullying (or at least can really hurt some feelings).

Not that he has to be a bit of a bully too, it's just that you rarely see that in fiction. Or not intentionally, anyway.

Skye isn't Jewish. His friend is (on the mother's side).

I wouldn't say he's dismissive and cold (unless provoked), he just doesn't get close to people.

edited 9th Jun '11 7:31:40 AM by JewelyJ