You can’t use your novel for revenge. Oh, it’s a fun idea, but it doesn’t work.
Sometimes I get this foolish idea to use a person from my real life in my novel, and if that person, you know, did me wrong, I think, “Aha! I shall make him evil or ugly or kill him off!” At least on the page I can vent my rage–at last.
Then I get into the character’s head and see things from his point of view, and–horror of horrors–I’ve got to be sympathetic. I try to twist him this and that, and yet he weasels away from me. The novel works better (right?), but I’m still pissed. Sigh.
Actually, I’m usually so giddy about the story I forget to be angry. I might even be–shhh!–grateful. So, use your enemies, but be warned; you might be the better for it.
Marta Bacon 
That’s why I think writing has made me a better human being. 🙂
I have the same problem! I’ve tried several times to use my archenemy as the villian in a story, but I don’t WANT to understand her better, so I quit.
That’s small of me, isn’t it.
So true. It’s like magic. Or maturing. Same thing.
ha ha! I commend you for being honest. I have had similar thoughts, though I haven’t actually tried it yet….darn too. I don’t want to be sympathetic either! ha!
Yeah, everyone–I don’t like to think of writing as therapy, but sometimes it does have that side effect and gets me over the bad guys. Works better than crying or screaming have ever done.
I have learned to vent out all my frustrations and sadness on words. It really helps calm down.