Irene Goodman on How to Write a Thriller

heyjude · Aug 2, 2010

Of course, my favorite paragraph of this insightful blog post:

5. I want to like the characters. Too many thrillers have competent plotlines, but the characters are just pawns being moved through a plot. If I can really care about them, and you put them in jeopardy, that's what it's really all about.

I also like her point about being able to understand the plot. I read one* recently that was half reading, half making mental charts of who was who and who did what to whom. Definitely distracts from the book for me.

ETA: *Because I was asked, the book was Bad Things Happen by Dolan. Good book, but hard to keep track of everyone.

Jamesaritchie · Aug 2, 2010

Well, I'm not going to write a thriller with a kick ass female as the protagonist, but all this advice makes good sense.

gothicangel · Aug 2, 2010

I have to agree with the comment on characterisation. I've given up on so many crime novels lately because I couldn't connect with characters.

Which is a shame because the plots should have kicked ass.

kaitie · Aug 2, 2010

I agree with characterization, too. It does seem like a lot of thrillers use recycled characters, doesn't it? I might read something and enjoy it, but the ones that really stand out that I'd recommend to others are the ones with fantastic characters, too.

AlekT · Aug 3, 2010

In general, thrillers tend to be plot-driven more than character-driven. Many thriller readers have no problem with that. I tend to enjoy character-driven novels -- that is, novels that develop the characters while the plot unfolds (or not).

For me, one example would be "The Da Vinci Code." While enjoying the story, I kept waiting for some sparks to fly between Langdon and Sophie. But, hey, it's a thriller, and the characters are just there to move the plot along. It was a good read.

I just finished a good read that combined the two: "Await Your Reply" by Dan Chaon. I also enjoy Dennis Lehane. I guess many would not consider either Chaon or Lehane 'thriller' writers.

gothicangel · Aug 3, 2010

It depends what you are looking for. Personally I find myself moving away from thrillers because they isn't a decent amount of characterisation.

More than that, a lot of thriller and crime novels seem to be increasingly populated by character clones that could inhabit any m/t/s.

There are plenty of character driven thrillers, you just need to dig deeper. They are essential in psychological thrillers.

RJK · Aug 4, 2010

I anxiously look forward to the next John Sandford thriller. Not because of the story (they're always interesting) but to read more about his characters. I feel the same way about Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch. What's going to happen in his life?

ToddWBush · Aug 4, 2010

I've got a half-finished novel that stars a "kick-ass female protagnotist" AND she is well-versed in krav maga. Damn, I should finish that one.

Irene Goodman on How to Write a Thriller

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

Jamesaritchie

gothicangel

Toughen up.

kaitie

With great power comes

AlekT

Alexander

gothicangel

Toughen up.

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

ToddWBush