I think it could be an interesting point of view, but I'm not sure what I think of it. I mean, would displaying a villain (or someone with villainous tendencies) as the "good guy," if you will, be the right thing to do? Is the protagonist then modeling a "good" example by being given that role? Just because he/she is a protagonist, would that mean that his/her example would be good one for younger readers. I know I'm still a "younger reader," and I often look up to protagonists which is the grounds for my thoughts.

On the other hand, I think redemption stories are very powerful, particularly when showing the power God has to work in and through a person. Even a broken person. Especially a broken one.

Sorry if I'm going all rabbit-traily. I tend to do such sometimes. Tell me if I should be silent.

I understand what you are saying. You definitely have to be careful when attempting something like this to make sure that you clearly show that the bad things that the character is doing are not something to be emulated. The issue that you can run into there though is how to make sure that your main character is both relatable and likable so that readers will want to continue to stick with them through the end. My thought process on this leans more toward a broken main character who gradually is redeemed throughout the course of the story. I feel like the main idea behind something like this is to create a character that readers are cheering for, someone that readers really want to see do the right thing when they are put to the test in the climax of the story.

Like I said, I'm not sure if I'm actually going to attempt this yet. I find it interesting though because it definitely poses a writing challenge, especially to those of us who wish to convey the Gospel through our writings.

Yes, perfect characters are extremely difficult to relate to. It's hard to establish any sort of connection to them as a reader and invest anything of yourself in them emotionally. I think that when we see a character who is flawed find redemption from those flaws and overcome them it gives us a feeling that perhaps we can do the same. I think it encourages us to not give up the fight and to take heart. We can use that to show people the healing power of the Gospel as well. Christ is the master when it comes to redeeming people caught up in flaws, after all.

*applauds previous posts* Like Calista, I have a story in development with a protagonist who, although not exactly a villain, is by no means a heroine. I'm afraid my story will be slightly depressing though, because I want to show the evil in and around her for what it is- temporary pleasure that leads to death. I'm not sure how to do this without showing the misery gives her. While I don't want to shy away from the vileness of sin, I don't want my story to be full of her depression. How have those of you who have written a villain as a protagonist dealt with this? Or how have books presented this?

However, to center a story around someone who does bad things but feels very conflicted about it could be interesting. It gives the writer a chance to tell a story that examines the conflict that goes on inside each and every person.

Perhaps this is a character who desires to do the right thing but finds himself/herself doing the wrong thing time and time again. Perhaps they think that they are doing the right thing only to discover later that they have been deceived the whole time. I feel there is certainly potential for this type of character (it's been done before, after all) but it is something that has to be treated with care. A character who is unapologetically evil and remains that way will almost certainly be rejected by any reader.

Part of my series has the villain as the protagonist; what he does is 'clean' to his eyes, although not to others.

I agree on this one, writers can use conflict to relate to their readers.

And I agree on this too.