Have you ever thought of the differences between the villain and the hero? The character who is usually considered a hero is someone who does the right thing. However, sometimes their choices blur the line between doing what's right and seeking revenge. These can also imply that the protagonist is one bad day away from becoming a villain. They usually have good intentions, but if life throws one more problem their way, they could go off the rails and join the dark side. And that's precisely what makes them so enjoyable and memorable. Writing a protagonist who's one bad day away from becoming the villain adds a layer of delicious tension to your story.

Understand What Drives Them

At the heart of this kind of character is motive. A protagonist on the edge must have a deeply personal reason for every action they take. Think of Walter White from Breaking Bad. He didn't start as a villain. He was just a man trying to provide for his family. But every bad day chipped away at his morale until there was barely anything left. This is the secret sauce: a character who wants something noble but is willing to bend the rules, maybe even break them, to get it. Your job as a writer is to make that descent believable.

Keep Their Flaws Front and Center

No one becomes a villain until a situation arises. It's always a build-up of weakness, trauma, or ambition. Maybe your protagonist has a temper they can't control. Perhaps they are too loyal or too afraid to walk away.

Focus the World

Your character shouldn't live in their little bubble. The world around them should continue to challenge their choices. That could be anything, such as a corrupt system, a betrayal, or even a moral decision. Look at Light Yagami from Death Note. He starts out wanting to rid the world of evil. That seems like a pretty good goal. But the moment he gets a taste of power, everything shifts. And the world pushes back through L, through law enforcement, through the slow crumbling of his relationships. The tension never lets up, and that's what keeps readers excited.

Keep the Reader on Their Side (Until You Don't)

The trick with this kind of protagonist is to make the reader empathize with them, even when their actions become questionable. The reader should understand why these decisions are being made, even if they do not entirely agree. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents us with Victor, a man with good intentions who seeks to unlock the secrets of life. But his obsession consumes him. And as readers, we are horrified by his choices, yet we cannot quite look away. We want him to make it right, even as he digs himself deeper. That's what makes a protagonist like this unforgettable; they force the reader to wrestle with their moral compass.

Let Them Reach the Edge

Eventually, your character has to face that moment, the bad day that changes everything. Maybe it's a betrayal. Perhaps it's a failure so profound that it shakes their sense of identity. Whatever it is, it has to hurt. It has to be real. And it has to push them toward a choice that could send them spiraling out of control. In Gone Girl, Amy Dunne is not your typical hero. She's probably a villain in the end. But for a large part of the story, we're led to question what's real, who's at fault, and whether we're supposed to hate or admire her. That's the line. That's the magic of the almost-villain protagonist. They keep us guessing.

Don't Be Afraid to Let Them Fall

Sometimes, witnessing a character becoming the very thing they feared is the most authentic and powerful end to a character arc that you can write.

In conclusion, when writing about a character like this, ensure that it is likable and feels realistic. These characters can do wonders for your stories.