6 Tips for Writing Thrillers (with Alexa Donne!) 

Hi there, viewers! You can read a text version of this video on Medium: quotidianwriter.medium.com/6-tips-for-writing-thrillers-2ad5c49690d5 Check out how we made this video in my behind-the-scenes post: ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-6-Tips-for-Writing-Thriller-Nov-H2H6BO5Y6

Thank you so much for having me! I had so much fun working with you! 😍

"You are probably drowning in information, so here is one more thing..." 😆 This was truly an excellent look at thrillers.

This is really good advice but there are also types of thrillers that aren't so much about uncovering mysteries or having twists, there are also thrillers where there's no mystery about what has already happened but the tension comes from what's going to happen next.

I adore this channel. The simple, confident narration, the plentiful examples, and straightforward exposition make this easily my favorite author tube channel. I'm a Brandon Sanderson SanderFan who dabbles in stories and I'm completing my 6th novel now. :) I keep writing. If for no one else, for me.

This is the most comprehensive guide to writing thrillers. Great content.

This partnership was such a great idea ! You two are my top 2 advisers on the writing, so thanks a lot !

Omg pleaaaase make a video about integrating flashbacks into a chapter! I've been struggling so hard with that and you're the only writing youtube channel whose content is actually super helpful and concise!

A good thriller is something to be treasured, something that gets me so on edge that I read on until I realize time has flown by. I gotta know that happens next! Another wonderful and informative video.

A thriller isn't usually my cup of tea (in writing), but wow, have you two made it alluring. Too bad I'm too heavily invested in my current project to try something new, but who knows... I may add some thrillery elements and subplots! Thank you so much for another video of such amazing quality!

This video was put together so well! Thank you for your hard work and advice (I also love the isolation trope). :)

My two favorite people working together. Really great advice. I should be taking notes.

Excellent. Thanks Diane and Alexa, so much great information.

Omgg I was waiting for this particular genre. Thank u so much Queen 😭😭

Thanks for making this!! I was about to outline my thriller novel and got stuck. I love reading thrillers as much as writing them!

You're by far the most quality-over-quantity content creator I've ever seen!

Thank you ladies. I needed this.

Thanks for this. Very useful.

Yes. I love the thriller genre. I'm writing my debut novel right now and that is also a thriller.

Thank you there were so many helpful points 👍

Your channel is a blessing and an inspiration. Please, never stop. 🤓

Thank you so much!

Thank you for this video. I have been gifted inspiration. You asked what my favorite thriller is. That is for both novels and movies. My answer is a tie between Silence of The Lambs and Seven.

Good video. I liked that as I've been stumbling through this journey I was already using some of these techniques. I was looking for some focus and I think this helped. I am not a fan of the murder stuff, it is too dark but something close to political or action thrillers. I think back to one of my favorites as a kid was reading Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.

This really helped at lot with my crime/thriller novel i’m currently writing especially with the victim thank you so much for this!

Thank you! This video helped me a whole wagon-load in my reading of thriller fiction! I would suggest 'Killer Content by Kiley Roache'. But again, thank you!🙃😍

Exactly what I needed

We need part two pls ! 🥺

Wonderful!

Glad you're back!

Your videos are always joy to listen so far it was helpful for me thank you so much!

Thx

Wow, you are both RU-vidrs who help me so much in my writing journey! Thank you so much for the collab❤️

I loved it! I've been in love with both your chanels as they really helped me a lot so having you guys collaborate was awesome! But I've really also been struggling with the fantasy genre as well so I was requesting if you could help me with that or make a video about that.

Okay…I’d really like your take on the following. I’ve seen someone say that thrillers are often actually mysteries that are incorrectly categorized. The difference was said to be mainly this: if the reader/ audience knows who the killer is at the beginning or close to the beginning, it’s a thriller. The question driving the story is HOW is Justice or retribution going to be visited on the antagonist by the protagonist. If the reader / audience doesn’t know who the killer / villain / antagonist is until the end of the second act, it’s a mystery. The question driving the story is WHO committed the crime. For instance Silence of The Lambs is often said to be a thriller - but it’s a mystery. Another aspect of a mystery is that you have a detective type character as the protagonist that is ultimately searching for the truth and the killer / antagonist. In contrast the protagonist of a thriller is often a victim or someone other than a detective possibly even a criminal that has been personally targeted or affected in some way. That explains their motivation to engage - it’s personal and there is a threat of personal danger. So for example, because we don’t find out the serial killer is Jame Gumb until the end of the second act, Silence is a mystery. In contrast John Wick is a true thriller because the audience knows who the bad guy is from the first act and the only question is HOW John Wick (the hit man / victim wronged) will try to get his Justice. I literally have to skip the death of Daisy every time I watch that movie. 😩😩😩. The nature of the overall story goals seem to be hugely different between the two genres and an understanding would seem to be important in outlining it writing one’s story and determining the proper genre beats. All this said, the other poster goes on to say that widely used designations of genres are more about marketing at the end of the day rather than what the story structure indicates. It might just be splitting hairs or a matter of labeling to some but I find the discrepancy confusing when considering how to structure my story with regard to genre conventions. If I say my story is a mystery then I can’t be revealing the identity of the bad guy to the audience in Act 1 and ostensibly the flip side is true as well? Perhaps Ms. Donne can attest to her experience with having her work traditionally published and how her publisher decided what genre to assign. I’m not disagreeing with you guys because I really am not even close to your levels with Story. I am interested in your view / clarification/ advice on the subject. Zero snark. Zero shade. I guess at the end of the day the label only matters if you’re putting your work out there to be read - again to give your reader the correct expectation. Just so you know, I took notes on this video and found it helpful so thanks. I liked the tag team approach too!

The best crossover.

Don't mind me, just here to drop a recommendation of a thriller I've recently read... 'The Last Tale of The Flower Bride' by Roshan Chokshi

My tip: The Freya and Huldar series by Yrsa Sigurđardóttir, those are amazing thriller novels!

Hi, I enjoyed your talk. Is there such a thing as a Cozy/Thriller subplot? If yes, how is that formulated? Thanks😀

Al, could you suggest a book about scents- books that waft of various scents through the stories.... Oodles of love ❤️💛🧡💚💙💜

Always interesting. Splendid video fine realized. May i share the video in my fb group?

Best of luck authors !!!😊

Great tips as always. I have an idea for a thriller-mystery but I’m having trouble with the plot. I want to make it this super intricate, elaborate mystery with multiple layers and major plot twists but I don’t know how to connect it all. I guess I should just keep trying to figure it out but some advice would be nice

What if it's in the killer's perspective?

i just found my soul genre

It's the earnestness in her final plea, as if it's a call to focus on what really matters: "whatever you do, keep writing." More than any genre, I think the thriller lends to 1st person narration best. We learn as the narrator learns the clues, get lost in red herrings as they get lost. Thrillers are also the best to learn plotting because the story beats are more clear-cut than other genres.

Ever thought about starting an ASMR channel? You have a soothing voice lol

i wanna do a thriller that comed with a dystopian that ends in a tragity ,the plot- a person fighting in a rebellon and they have the power to rewind time,they want their rebbellion to succed so they find a want to succed and be a hero but as they get more immoral as time goes on slowly the reality starts a break and they find themselfs no better then the goverment who wants to create a perfect society as they uncover the secrets of their friends and the city they imhabit , someone wants to silence them to make them perish like thoses before and there already closer then they think.- theme- chasing a impossible goal and the price you pay for it.

Very good video. I'm so bored of the main character rescuing/searching for a family member trope or the jealous of her friend, female murderer trope. Hackneyed to all bejaysus. Just an opinion.

U know what movie got me? Dead silence Anybody ever see that one? So underrated

I literally do this unknowingly lmao The first point i mean Edit: and the last point too

Some days i hate writing with my soul,but some other days writing becomes the best thing in my life. Is that normal? Does it make me a bad writer?

In the days when even Ape served Man, Horse came to the Creator. "How is it that I serve Man?" "Tolerably well." "I am larger, stronger and faster. How am I bound?" "Man has hands." Horse had prepared. "I do not serve Ape." The Creator considered. "Man has seen that you do not lie down." Horse went pondering on his ways. Dog came to the Creator. "How is it that I serve Man?" "Tolerably well." Dog settled on his haunches, briefly whined. "Man has seen that you run all places, but walk at his heel." Dog went pondering on his ways. Woman came to the Creator. "How is it that I serve Man?" "Have tea with me. It is the most sublime." Over the dregs, Woman asked again, "How is it that I serve Man?" "How progresses the naming of My creatures?" "He named Jackass, which should be his own. How is it that I serve Man?" "Exceptionally well." "Daddy, dammitall --" "Daughter of mine, Man has seen that you love."

I think protagonist always in struggle it is a 95%right story 😕 going with my life 😕 😅.

Q

Someone needs to tell youtube I don't need English subtitles for a video in English.

😩 𝕡𝐫ｏ𝕄ｏ𝔰𝓶

This is a pretty pigeonholed distillation of what a thriller can be - not every thriller is a murder mystery or about a serial killer. Some thrillers may not focus on the victims at all, others may have the antagonist as a central character, known to the audience (or even the protagonists) from the start. The antagonist could be a scammer, a gaslighter, or even just a force of nature.

No. Just no. Way too much self promotion. I'm not here for your ad. I don't read this genre... what I call girly thrillers. What about adding in some other thrillers, like Crichton and others? As a woman I'm annoyed there are so few really good female thriller authors out there. It's always about relationships and feelings. That'a fine, but in moderation. Guys are better at getting to the point. Sorry if I come across as a bit rude, but my hubby made sit through this, so am a little annoyed. I'm sure you have your audience.