How to Write a Gripping Thriller
The Art of Writing a Suspense Novel
A skillful writer combines several elements to produce a thriller that is commercially viable. An understanding of what readers are looking for is paramount to success.
Read and Analyze Thrillers
To write successfully requires a familiarity with the genre concerned. Choose a selection of best selling thrillers and analyze how they are written. Look for plot development, characterization and style. Books by Lee Childs and James Patterson are a good starting place. John Grisham writes legal thrillers and Robin Cook and Michael Palmer write Medical thrillers. Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker are well known for their Christian thrillers.
Look for Inspiration
Inspiration often comes in the form of a single idea that is eventually fleshed out to a full length novel. Look for ideas in newspaper and magazine stories, a show on television or an overheard conversation. Write thoughts in a notebook and add to them as inspiration comes.
Thrillers Must be Current
A writer needs a familiarity with world events and politics to write a thriller that is believable. Even books written ten years ago are dated by today’s standards. Think along the lines of technology, biological warfare, genetic research, terrorism and 9/11 to understand why.
What Defines a Thriller
A thriller is a story that grabs the reader’s attention on page one and holds it to the last sentence in the book. The pace is quick and the plot is full of twists and turns, thrills and suspense.
What Themes Work With a Thriller
A story is basically a series of events that involve people. Here are some common themes for thrillers:
- Someone has something that someone else wants
- Someone has witnessed a crime that makes them a threat to those involved
- Someone is planning a crime and someone else needs to stop him
Authenticity in Thrillers
Today’s readers are educated and discerning and like hard facts as opposed to vague ideas. Be careful that information is accurate and up-to-date. This can require extensive research, especially in thriller sub-genres such as police, military, scientific, medical and forensic.
Choosing a Title for a Thriller
Titles should be short and catchy and straight to the point. One to three words work best. Robin Cook uses one word titles to great effect with books such as Toxin, Seizure and crisis. John Grisham favors two word titles such as The Client, The Broker and The Associate.
Combining the above elements with believable characters, exciting settings and skilful writing is the key to putting together a successful thriller. Plot it out step by step and check that the story fits within these guidelines.
Look for Inspiration in Newspapers
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