Use more to create suspense than just action
Our Georgia Peach Tour is in full swing!
Jennifer Jabaley (Lipstick Apology). Vicky Shecter (Cleopatra's Moon) and me teamed up and gave discounts to schools in the state of Georgia to help with budget cuts. We are touring middle schools and high schools promoting reading and writing.
We will visit about 12 schools by Thanksgiving and see almost 10,000 kids. The bonus is meeting all the literacy coordinators and media specialists. :)
One of my lectures is on "Writing Thrillers" so I thought I would summarize it and share it today since I'm doing it tomorrow. Feel free to add in the comments any of your ideas.
Thriller vs mystery
A mystery is about solving a crime that has already happened. The killer's identity is hidden until the end because otherwise, there would be no mystery -- right?
A thriller is about a crime (or another type of disaster) that is about to happen ... unless the hero can stop it. The reader might know who the villain is from the very beginning -- even watches over the villain's shoulder as evil is being committed.
Untraceable is a blend of both. The mystery adds to the pacing because you are not sure when Grace is in danger.
Pull from the what you know
Know the thriller genre inside and out
Do research and know what is possible for your character
Immerse yourself in movies/TV shows/books on thrillers
Pull from those moments when you were the most scared
It's not just about action
Thrillers are about creating tension in different Dialogue and sentence structure can change the pace.
Bring pace in through setting, character, and structure
EX: The Walking Dead – zombies are scary but sometimes it is scarier when nothign is happening because you know what could happen any minute.
1) Come up with big idea for a thriller
Come up with the big hook
Is it new? How can you make it new?
Create "what if" question
Answer the "what if" question
Go where no man has gone before
2) Pace through structure
Cut strategically. Use an inverted conflict curve - cut your chapters in the middle of conflict instead of at the end of resolution
Create short chapters
Spread out your actions scenes and break them with slower paced scenes to create a roller coaster feeling
Create cliffhangers or a ticking clock to get reader past natural breaks
Use short, clippy sentences (even fragments) to speed up pace; longer sentences and narrative to slow it down
Add dialogue to slow down pace
3) Pace through action
Keep the reader moving is main goal
Make the danger feel real and always present in the background
Withhold information to keep reader guessing
Don’t be predictable – go where reader doesn’t expect
Start with a suspenseful scene to set mood
4) Pace through setting
Create a visual by using 5 senses
Cinematic – visualize a movie when you are writing. Show what your character sees
Choose settings wisely depending on mood you need.
Use contrasting moods in your setting - ie home is safe and secure unless the power goes out. The woods are peaceful during the day but scary at night.
5) Pace through character
Make it tough for your MC
Emotions – keep them high and let reader feel fear
Create poignant moments – don’t be afraid to do this in a thriller
Stakes – keep raising them
Internal tension can add to suspense of story
Create real motives (for all characters) or it won't be believable
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
Jennifer Jabaley (Lipstick Apology). Vicky Shecter (Cleopatra's Moon) and me teamed up and gave discounts to schools in the state of Georgia to help with budget cuts. We are touring middle schools and high schools promoting reading and writing.
We will visit about 12 schools by Thanksgiving and see almost 10,000 kids. The bonus is meeting all the literacy coordinators and media specialists. :)
One of my lectures is on "Writing Thrillers" so I thought I would summarize it and share it today since I'm doing it tomorrow. Feel free to add in the comments any of your ideas.
Thriller vs mystery
A mystery is about solving a crime that has already happened. The killer's identity is hidden until the end because otherwise, there would be no mystery -- right?
A thriller is about a crime (or another type of disaster) that is about to happen ... unless the hero can stop it. The reader might know who the villain is from the very beginning -- even watches over the villain's shoulder as evil is being committed.
Untraceable is a blend of both. The mystery adds to the pacing because you are not sure when Grace is in danger.
Pull from the what you know
Know the thriller genre inside and out
Do research and know what is possible for your character
Immerse yourself in movies/TV shows/books on thrillers
Pull from those moments when you were the most scared
It's not just about action
Thrillers are about creating tension in different Dialogue and sentence structure can change the pace.
Bring pace in through setting, character, and structure
EX: The Walking Dead – zombies are scary but sometimes it is scarier when nothign is happening because you know what could happen any minute.
1) Come up with big idea for a thriller
Come up with the big hook
Is it new? How can you make it new?
Create "what if" question
Answer the "what if" question
Go where no man has gone before
2) Pace through structure
Cut strategically. Use an inverted conflict curve - cut your chapters in the middle of conflict instead of at the end of resolution
Create short chapters
Spread out your actions scenes and break them with slower paced scenes to create a roller coaster feeling
Create cliffhangers or a ticking clock to get reader past natural breaks
Use short, clippy sentences (even fragments) to speed up pace; longer sentences and narrative to slow it down
Add dialogue to slow down pace
3) Pace through action
Keep the reader moving is main goal
Make the danger feel real and always present in the background
Withhold information to keep reader guessing
Don’t be predictable – go where reader doesn’t expect
Start with a suspenseful scene to set mood
4) Pace through setting
Create a visual by using 5 senses
Cinematic – visualize a movie when you are writing. Show what your character sees
Choose settings wisely depending on mood you need.
Use contrasting moods in your setting - ie home is safe and secure unless the power goes out. The woods are peaceful during the day but scary at night.
5) Pace through character
Make it tough for your MC
Emotions – keep them high and let reader feel fear
Create poignant moments – don’t be afraid to do this in a thriller
Stakes – keep raising them
Internal tension can add to suspense of story
Create real motives (for all characters) or it won't be believable
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Faerialit...
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