Authoritarians of many stripes have served as easy foils in all kinds of fiction since fiction became a thing. From their lack of concern for others’ wellbeing, a desire to stamp out personal freedoms, and the strict enforcement of the state’s beliefs on its populace by any means necessary, authoritarians make great villains. Your story will star one such authoritarian. Or a whole pack of ‘em if you want.

Here in the Goonhive, we tend to side-eye bootlickers. But when writing fiction, it’s important to be able to stretch your brain and see the world through a perspective you don’t share, or even loathe. SEE: NO, FUCK YOU, DAD, YOU MOW THE LAWN. Write me a story where your authoritarian thinks he’s the good guy. He doesn’t have to be objectively good, but the key to writing great villains is that they rarely believe or understand they’re villains. Or maybe she knows most see her as a villain but in the end she thinks that’s worth it for the cause.

I want Another Brick in the Wall from the teacher’s perspective. I want strict asshole dads who think they’re doing the best for their families. The authoritarian in your story must be the protagonist.

No Nazis, though. They’re too easy. And also, who wants to read about Nazis who think they’re great guys.

If you want a flash rule, I’ll assign you a belief your authoritarian holds to be gospel and you’ll get 250 bonus words.