So You Want To Be A Thriller Writer, A Discussion Group discussion

Every writer encounters something that troubles them during their writing process. What is yours?

Well, ideas that mix together angers me.

When I can't get the picture in my head translated into words on the page (or screen). When I write it and write it and write it and it doesn't come out right.

Or when it's so close but not quite there and I can't find the tweak I need to fix it.

Hey Quillracer,

I have something close to yours. I have an idea in my head, write it and then read it later, but it is not what I intended to write.

Marketing.

The writing process has its ups and downs, irritations and joys, but the one thing that continually makes me want to leap into a vat of acid is the need to entice readers to pick up the damn book and read it.

I don't think you have anything to worry about; writers who are terribly BLATANT about advertising turn me off.

When nothing makes sense and I have to cut out and rewrite it all over again.

I'm a pantster, not a plotter, so I get frustrated when I finish a scene or chapter and have no idea what happens next.

Quillracer wrote: "I'm a pantster, not a plotter, so I get frustrated when I finish a scene or chapter and have no idea what happens next."

Some of my best ideas come to me because I did leave the storyline open after completing a chapter. At times, plotting can be very restrictive.

Michael wrote: Some of my best ideas come to me because I did leave the storyline open after completing a chapter. At times, plotting can be very restrictive."

That's why I don't plot. If I have one, I'm reluctant to deviate from it even when I have a great idea pop into my head.

The downside is when I finish a scene or chapter and it or a prior one hasn't given me a clue where to go next, I'm forced to ask myself, "What happens now?" and my mind often answers back, "Damned if I know."

What helps me is determining where I want the book to end. Sometimes working backwards helps.

I almost always have the climactic scene written before I get there. But I've only had limited luck working backwards from there.

I also write any scene that comes to mind even if I have no idea where (or even if) it will fit into the book.

Quillracer wrote: "I almost always have the climactic scene written before I get there. But I've only had limited luck working backwards from there.

I also write any scene that comes to mind even if I have no idea w..."

That's so me.

I do the same. I write all my scenes and then go through them periodically for ideas.

Scott wrote: "Marketing.

The writing process has its ups and downs, irritations and joys, but the one thing that continually makes me want to leap into a vat of acid is the need to entice readers to pick up th..."

I agree, Scott. Promotional work takes up more time than writing and it can be very frustrating. I use social media as well as modest pay-per-click ad campaigns on GR and Google. According to my analytics, I have thousands of people clicking through to my Amazon sale sites. If only 10% of those bought a book, I'd be made in the shade. But that's not what's happening, so I wonder if all those hits are bots of some kind.

Quillracer wrote: "I'm a pantster, not a plotter, so I get frustrated when I finish a scene or chapter and have no idea what happens next."

Oh my word, Quill, you can’t be worse than me. I even have a simple outline and still can’t plot the next scene. For a week. Then I’ll sit down and do a timeline (on a legal pad, with a pen), and schedule three events. Then take about two weeks to write them.

I’m also not terribly well organized or disciplined, this is the truth.

I did manage to co-write 2 novels in a year, but there were downsides to that experience as well.

Yeah, I can, Pete.

I usually start writing a scene based on an opening line that pops into my head. I’m in Jansen’s Floral & Garden Center shortly after they open Monday morning, picking up a bouquet. Then I write from there.

I actually started writing a book based on the opening line, The Ogre wants to see you ASAP."

Martin wrote: "Scott wrote: "Marketing.

The writing process has its ups and downs, irritations and joys, but the one thing that continually makes me want to leap into a vat of acid is the need to entice readers..."

True, Martin. It's hard to know where and when to spend the dollars. Organic reviews are the best answer, as they position you for things like BookBub ads. My publisher secured a BookBub ad for me (end of April), and I'm supplementing it with some paid advertising through Robin Reads and Book Sense. None of these would happen without the reviews, which required a lot of legwork on my part to obtain.