#IWSG: What I Love About Writing Thrillers

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. (YAY!)

Visit for more info: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

This month's question: "What do you love about the genre you write in most often?"

My answer: Writing is an adventure every day in the thriller & mystery genres, because from the moment I start plotting to the moment I deem a manuscript finished, I am surprised at the twists and turns my characters and plot demand. The biggest reward is when readers say they read a book of mine in one sitting. That's my ultimate goal - to make the writing, plotting, and characterizations so compelling a reader cannot set down the book. They must find out what's going to happen next!

Here are a few inspiring quotes to help:

What's your favorite genre to write and/or read?

What is a Plot Behind a Plot?

H is for HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD THRILLER

 

So … you want to be a writer? Where do you start? How do you get there? No worries. This month I’ll be sharing my A to Z list of writer’s resources: books, blogs, and beyond! Check back each day to find helpful resources for improving your writing and navigating your way through the publishing industry.


H is for HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD THRILLER by James Frey

I'm really excited about the information I learned from Frey's book regarding character development and the idea of the plot behind the plot. I've already utilized many of his suggested exercises for my next manuscript.

The excellent sections in this book included:

* How to create a villain
* Exploiting the dark mission of the villain
* The plot behind the plot
* Creating a hero

For my full review, click here.


Do you enjoy writing or reading thrillers?

3 Great Writing Quotes

For some writing motivation, here are three great quotes from James Frey's book on writing thrillers:

"You should at all times be showing a well-motivated character overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a goal." -- James Frey

"Most of the time, it's not the concept, but the execution of craft that counts." -- James Frey

"To write a damn good thriller, you need a killer attitude." -- James Frey

Book Review: HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD THRILLER

How to Write a Damn Good Thriller: A Step-by-Step Guide for Novelists and Screenwriters by James N. Frey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a good book for authors to add to their arsenal of writing tools.

While there were some EXCELLENT sections in this book, there were also a LOT of pages of information that were not helpful to me at all. However, the significance of the great sections outweighed the disappointment of the weak sections, and so overall I'm still glad that I invested the time and money into this book.

The excellent sections included:
* How to create a villain
* Exploiting the dark mission of the villain
* The plot behind the plot
* Creating a hero

The disappointing sections included:
* Plot structure
* Voice and viewpoint
* Opening, middle, and satisfying resolution

I'm really excited about the information I learned from Frey's book regarding character development and the idea of the plot behind the plot. I've already utilized many of his suggested exercises for my next manuscript.

But regarding the other sections, here are books that I'd recommend instead:
Plot Structure, Openings, & Satisfying Resolutions: SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder
Voice: WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES by Deborah Halverson
Middle: FIRE IN THE FICTION by Donald Maass



View all my reviews