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

As an author and/or reader of thrillers, what elements are absolutely necessary to bring the story to life?

Normally, I get inspirations and then I go outside at night to walk around in my backyard.

Dialogue; believable dialogue and characters that emerge instead of being well-planned or carefully choreographed.

Hi Skye,

It's been a long time. Thanks for joining and your input. Dialogue is a biggy. Recently I have heard from many thriller readers about developing the characters over the course of the story.

What would be an example of a believable character you have read in a book?

Something half-way interesting taking place, as in actually happening. Too often something huge happens in the opening and the next hundred scenes involve the MC's mother opening mail or thinking about when the MC was a baby. Or we bring in the in-laws and their relatives. Next the reader doesn't feel (anything) like the book is going anywhere in the distant future and bails.

Michael wrote: "Hi Skye,

It's been a long time. Thanks for joining and your input. Dialogue is a biggy. Recently I have heard from many thriller readers about developing the characters over the course of the stor..."

Hi Michael; thanks for inviting me. A believable character is Connelly's Harry Bosch ( my favorite) of course, but I also loved Girl on a Train, and the multiple, unreliable characters. Characterization should gently unfold. The most important thing is when a writer 'shows' and does not feel the need to 'tell.' If you have not read Emma Kavanaugh's Falling, then you should. She masterfully and slowly builds characterization via showing.

I like to read thrillers with interesting characters, suspense and a fast moving plot. I feel thrillers are meant to thrill!!

Twists and turns and just when one feels on the edge of discovery, an event signals: WRONG!

Skye wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hi Skye,

It's been a long time. Thanks for joining and your input. Dialogue is a biggy. Recently I have heard from many thriller readers about developing the characters over the co..."

Hi, Skye. Thanks for becoming a member. You raise a very important point about characterization. Developing a character by "showing" rather than "telling" is extremely important. Many editors stress this.

I have spoken with several authors who have just finished their first book and don't understand the difference between "showing" and "telling". Can you provide an example of each for our new authors.

Ahhhhh, that would take awhile; however, it is the crux of good fiction; the writer, using the vehicle of language must provide the reader an image instead of telling the reader what to see.

Yes, that makes sense, Gail.

Explanation is difficult and may become too pedantic; I could list names of authors or novels that are exceptional in this aspect. For all undue purposes, writers such as Stephen King and Sidney Sheldon are 'masters of the game.' However, more recent writers have emerged filled with talent and the gift of spinning a tale.

Skye wrote: "Explanation is difficult and may become too pedantic; I could list names of authors or novels that are exceptional in this aspect. For all undue purposes, writers such as Stephen King and Sidney Sh..."

How true Skye. John Grisham is one of those authors who is long winded and loses my interest.

And, Michael, that is exactly why ( I was going to name him as one who tells and doesn't show); whereas, the book I just finished an reviewed by Emma Kavanaugh is excellent at showing; so is the book

I had a lot of practice writing screenplays, I think that helped in terms of showing and not telling. I tend to think quite visually. Showing vs telling is definitely important in writing a thriller (or any book in fact)

Yes, yes, I agree

Here is another interesting point that just came to mind. I believe it is equally important to keep the writing on point and not be verbose showing.

Katerina wrote: "I had a lot of practice writing screenplays, I think that helped in terms of showing and not telling. I tend to think quite visually. Showing vs telling is definitely important in writing a thrille..."

That is amazing, and yes, it would definitely help in the art of showing.

David Morrell, whom many consider the father of the modern thriller genre, discusses this very subject in this essay: http://www.crimespreemag.com/Thriller...

If you're not familiar with David, he is the author of the original Rambo story and co-founder of the International Thriller Writers organization.

I am familiar with him; he has come on the threads of one of my groups and is very amicable and friendly.

Skye wrote: "I am familiar with him; he has come on the threads of one of my groups and is very amicable and friendly."

Yes, David is very approachable.

Skye wrote: "I am familiar with him; he has come on the threads of one of my groups and is very amicable and friendly."

Skye, do you think David may be interested in joining the group?

David Morrell? He has a web site; why don't you contact him.