Villains for a change

I wrote a book about Superman. I’ve got another in the works about Batman. But I’m not only about superheroes—or even good guys in general. A story—and, by extension, a writer—is only as good as its/his villains.

In a story I wrote for READ, the Weekly Reader literary magazine for teens, the focus was villainy. That is clear from its title alone: “Villainopedia.com.” Earlier this year, I posted the opening of the story.

Now I’ve been given permission to post “Villainopedia.com” in its entirety. Enjoy but (as you know) please don’t reuse in any way unless you first get your own helping of permission.







In my original version, the ending was morally ambiguous. Brett agrees to go with Travis to document Travis’s imminent crime—though he also says he plans to turn Travis in afterward.

My editor accepted it at first but another editor there felt that Brett needed to be more explicitly good. I found a way to make that work without compromising who I thought my characters were, but I still like the first ending because in it, both Brett and Travis showed sides of both good and not-so-good.

And doesn’t that sound more like you and me and the rest of us?

Is Villainopedia a real web site?

My story "Villainopedia.com" appears in the 1/22/10 issue of READ (a Weekly Reader publication).

I was so amused to find that someone posted a question on ChaCha ("ur mobile BFF") asking if the site is real. I would think a Google would have been even quicker than a BFF. And I am shocked that someone would know the answer, let alone CheckCheck ChaCha and ChimeChime in!

The answer, BTW, to quote my anonymous eagle-eye: "No, there is no Villainopedia.com, though there has been a short story written with that as its title."

"Villainopedia.com"

The 1/22/10 issue of READ (the Weekly Reader literary magazine for grades 7-12) includes a six-page story I wrote called "Villainopedia.com."

Forget black hats. The sign of true evil is purple.

High schooler Brett creates a wiki to profile everyday heroes. When his grandma (who, in her youth, dabbled successfully in burglary) hears that the site has been slow in gaining a following, she suggests he go in the opposite direction because "A story is only as good as its villain."

Thus is born Villainopedia.com.

It catches on...fast.

And the legendary Travis Pritt, who claims he's committed crimes in 49 states, is not happy that his entry credits him for only 48. After Brett undoes Travis's edit (twice), Travis shows up at Brett's house to ensure that his correction is made...and kept.


Continued...