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Thrillers often dominate bestseller lists. Authors like Lee Child, C.J. Box, Dan Brown, John Grisham, and James Patterson have sold millions of copies worldwide with their exciting narratives. A great thriller relies on high stakes that create tension, conflict that breeds suspense, and a well-crafted structure that seamlessly blend high-octane action sequences with slower, more introspective moments. The key lies in the author’s ability to weave these elements together into a cohesive and engaging narrative that keeps your audience on the edge of their seats.
By definition, a thriller is a genre in both literature or film that emphasizes suspense,
excitement and tension. The stakes are often high, the action fast-paced and riddled with unexpected twists and turns. The primary goal of a thriller is, well…to thrill!
Thrillers is a diverse category that encompasses various subgenres. Psychological thrillers delve into the human psyche; legal thrillers explore the legal system while political thrillers deal with power and espionage. Mystery thrillers revolve around intricate puzzles; espionage thrillers involve covert operations; historical thrillers intertwine history with suspense, and supernatural thrillers feature the paranormal. Understanding these distinctions can help you craft engaging narratives that cater to different reader preferences.
To captivate readers from the outset, open your thriller with a gripping hook that plunges them into a high-stakes scenario. For example, in the upcoming third installment of the “Death by” series, the story begins with protagonist, Samantha Harris, imprisoned for a crime she doesn’t remember committing, and confronting a former CIA adversary. To sustain this suspense throughout the novel, I strategically conclude each chapter with a cliffhanger, a technique I employ in all my of works.
Once you’ve hooked your readers, it’s crucial to maintain suspense throughout the narrative. Ratcheting up tension is essential, achieved through foreshadowing and subtly planting clues that reverberate throughout your narrative. Follow the ‘Chekhov’s gun’ principle, which states that every detail introduced must serve a significant purpose later on; if you mention a gun early in your narrative, it should come into play at a later point
Every compelling thriller has its protagonist with strong motivations and flaws. Begin by giving them a relatable backstory that evokes empathy and establishes their strengths and weaknesses. Think of characters the likes of Lisbeth Salander, whose traumatic past make her a complex and sympathetic character despite her rough exterior; Jason Bourne’s struggle with amnesia and his moral conflict over his realized past as an assassin, or Samantha Harris’s tenacity driven by the death of her friend she couldn’t prevent. As with these protagonists, yours should have motivations and flaws that make them relatable on a human level.
Give your protagonist some supporting characters who can offer their own unique perspective, and challenge your protagonist’s beliefs or provide valuable information. These side characters might offer a different interpretation of events, or create conflict that drives your plot forward. This conflict can take many forms, such as a romantic interest who complicates the protagonist’s mission, a detective friend who disagrees with their rouge actions, or a morally-gray computer hacker in the protagonist’s technologically-challenged world.
A badass protagonist and their crew need an equally formidable antagonist. This critical dynamic in storytelling is as old as the Bible. Hero versus villain creates a powerful narrative drive. Contrast your antagonist’s characteristics with your protagonist’s. Research real-life villains, political figures, or different psychological profiles to find what resonates with your story. What motivates your bad-guy, and how do they wield their power? Do they have a tactical army or a nefarious gang behind them? Do they use weapons of destruction or manipulative tactics? Get into your antagonist’s mind as deeply as you do your protagonist. Set up shop there and observe how each deal with different scenarios.
Masterful thriller writers wield tension as deftly as a power tool, building suspense to captivating readers and keeping them engaged. High-stakes dilemmas, urgent language, and unexpected plot twists are a potent combination. You can introduce time constraints or looming deadlines, ramping up the tension as the clock ticks down. Create dilemmas where characters face difficult choices with dire consequences. The use of language and tone can convey a palpable sense of urgency - crisp sentences, rapid pacing, and evocative word choice can make your readers feel the weight of the circumstances. But be careful - too much predictability dulls the impact you’re aiming for. Introducing unexpected twists, red herrings, and plot swerves can keep readers on their toes, but don’t force these twists to work if they don’t. There’s no faking it until you make it here—and don’t ask readers to suspend too much belief or you’ll lose them.
Setting can significantly amplify tension. An exemplary case in point is Stephen King’s, “The Shining”. Set in an isolated resort in the Colorado Rockies, cut off from civilization by snowstorms, the Overlook Hotel’s dark and tragic history and pervasive sense of a past doomed to repeat itself. This foreboding environment amplifies the overall sense of terror and unease around the story.
Your narrative’s climax should be intense and emotionally satisfying, while tying up loose ends in a resolutionary bow. Does the good guy win, or does the bad guy simply go unpunished? Leave audiences pondering unanswered questions that linger without detracting from the original story’s resolution. This haunting aftertaste sustains the thriller’s grip on the reader’s psyche long after they finish the book.
To aspiring thriller writers: study the craft, but don’t be afraid to innovate and inject your unique voice. This genre’s flexibility is one of its greatest strengths. And remember, at its core, thrillers tap into our primal anxieties, desires for justice, and resolution in the face of danger.
As thriller’s writers, our enduring significance lies in our ability to entertain while also poking society in the fears. The best works transcend escapism to explore the depths of the human condition when pushed to the limits. Whether the stakes are personal or global, the thriller reminds us of our potential for resilience, heroism, and moral courage against unspeakable odds. As long as there are unknown threats to be uncovered and evil forces to be thwarted, the thriller will remain an indispensable genre. Go forth, thriller writers, and slay your readers with thrills and chills – what’s in your killer skills toolkit?
~Dani
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