Writing A Modern Thriller
Writing a thriller is both challenging and a lot of fun. The power of modern thrillers is that they revolve around fast-paced stories and edge of the seat suspense.
The main character is most often faced with a seemingly impossible mission that involves powerful enemies out to undermine governments, or trained killers determined to assassinate politicians or religious leaders, or powerful businessmen willing to destroy large groups of people or even the world.
Unlike a mystery, these nefarious plots must be foiled before they happen.
The main character is most often faced with a seemingly impossible mission that involves powerful enemies out to undermine governments, or trained killers determined to assassinate politicians or religious leaders, or powerful businessmen willing to destroy large groups of people or even the world.
Unlike a mystery, these nefarious plots must be foiled before they happen.
The Modern Thriller and The Five Ingredients Of The Scene: I’ve put together the series of picture prompts below to introduce you to the power of The Five Ingredients.
- Point of View
- Dialogue
- Dramatic Tension
- Setting and Mood
- Flashback
A Modern Thriller: The Five Ingredients Of The Scene
Point Of View: Is this woman a detective? A foreign agent? FBI? Is she entangled in a global cabal? What if she's not the hero? What if the person on the other side of the gun is the hero?
Here's a fun way to do this exercise: Without deciding who's the hero and who's the villain, write two different scenes. Write the first scene from the head, heart, and gut of the woman with the gun. The other character can only speak and act. Then turn it around and write from the point of view of the character at the other end of the gun! The story can be very different, and you will learn a lot.
Although plot may seem more important the character in a thriller, the truth is they're both important. While we all love a page-turner, it's the characters whom we most remember. The way to develop strong characters and a strong plot is to become an expert in point of view!
Moving into the other Ingredients Of The Scene: Each of the Ingredients of the Scene below has a specific role in creating a completed scene. Each ingredient also guides you deeply into your imagination while asking specific questions that will develop your characters and plot!
Click on the photo that calls to you, or explore all of them!
Here's a fun way to do this exercise: Without deciding who's the hero and who's the villain, write two different scenes. Write the first scene from the head, heart, and gut of the woman with the gun. The other character can only speak and act. Then turn it around and write from the point of view of the character at the other end of the gun! The story can be very different, and you will learn a lot.
Although plot may seem more important the character in a thriller, the truth is they're both important. While we all love a page-turner, it's the characters whom we most remember. The way to develop strong characters and a strong plot is to become an expert in point of view!
Moving into the other Ingredients Of The Scene: Each of the Ingredients of the Scene below has a specific role in creating a completed scene. Each ingredient also guides you deeply into your imagination while asking specific questions that will develop your characters and plot!
Click on the photo that calls to you, or explore all of them!
2. Dialogue |
3. Dramatic Tension |
4. Setting & Mood |
5. Flashback |
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If you're ready to start working with me as your fiction writing coach, you can sign up by clicking the picture below! Or you can call me at (914) 962-4432.
If you're ready to start working with me as your fiction writing coach, you can sign up by clicking the picture below! Or you can call me at (914) 962-4432.