Thriller & Suspense Writing Q&A: Most Asked Questions Answered

Thriller & Suspense Writing Q&A: Most Asked Questions About Writing in the Genre Answered

As thriller writers, we are puppeteers of emotion and anticipation. Our job is to create a nail-biting experience that makes reader's hearts pound in their chests. With each keyboard stroke, we aim to craft stories that immerse, challenge, and captivate.

But writers have a lot of questions about how to exactly do that.

In this Q&A article, I will answer all the questions I found on the subject, asked by writers across the internet.

I have tried to keep the answers short and to the point. In some cases, I have also left links to other articles that can get into the question deeper if you'd like. All questions have been classified into the following categories:

Contents:

• Characteristics and Features of Thrillers

• Structure and Techniques

• Subgenres and Tropes

Characteristics and Features of Thrillers

What are the most important characteristics of a thriller novel?

Unrelenting suspense is the most important characteristic of a thriller novel, without a doubt. Suspense is the heartbeat—the pulse that keeps readers gripped. Every word, every twist, should be a beat racing toward the climax.

Suspense is the lifeblood of any thriller novel.

What defines the features of a thriller novel?

The defining features of a thriller novel are:

1. Tension so thick you can only cut it with Japanese steel

2. High stakes

3. Relentless pacing

4. Unexpected twists

5. What we discussed above: Suspense.

Thriller and suspense novels present a dance between good and evil, where the line between those things is often blurry. At the core, the genre's key features are the things that will keep readers on the edges of their seats.

Is a thriller the same as horror, or are there distinct differences?

I will admit that the line between horror and thriller can sometimes be thin. However, thrillers thrill with suspense, ratcheting up the tension, while horror plays on fear and delves into the macabre.

Distinct, yet they share a shadowy border for sure. Occasionally, these genres intertwine to create spine-tingling stories.

Image made with Leonardo.ai

How is a thriller different from a mystery novel?

Thrillers stand apart from mystery novels in a few ways.

Thrillers push readers to the edge of what they can handle with tension and suspense. The focus is on the atmosphere, the emotion being evoked in the reader, and the sense of danger. In contrast, mysteries are more cerebral, puzzles to be solved.

While both genres keep you guessing, a thriller's heart races while a mystery's mind ponders. That is not to say there isn't a fair amount of overlap.

Are there common themes that run through most thriller stories?

Absolutely. Some common themes that thriller writers explore include:

• Power struggles

• Moral ambiguity

• Danger lurking in the shadows

• Battles between good and evil

Thrillers are a great medium through which to analyze themes that grip our souls and explore the darker aspects of humanity, often hitting quite close to home for many. This makes thriller a genre of non-stop excitement and reflection.

Structure and Techniques

What is the typical structure of a thriller novel?

The typical structure of a thriller is "rollercoaster ride." Ok, in all seriousness, it begins with a gripping hook, catapults into action, and keeps the pedal to the metal throughout. Rising tension, shocking twists, and finally, a climactic showdown.

A thriller structure? A heart-pounding journey from start to finish.

Can you explain the "rule of three" in suspense writing and how it's used?

The rule of three in storytelling is a way to build suspense and anticipation by presenting a threat or a mystery three times: first as a tease, then again, escalating the stakes, and finally, the climax.

Think of the "rule of three" as preloading your suspense, mentioning it in passing, introducing the reader to the idea, and dropping the seed early on before getting into it later. Bringing it back a second time but emphasizing its importance more, and finally providing the reveal or twist.

What are the key techniques for building suspense in a thriller?

The key techniques that build suspense in a thriller novel are ones that create and maintain tension and place questions in the reader's mind. These include:

• Pacing, foreshadowing, and unpredictability

• Intriguing and well-developed complex characters

• High stakes with winding subplots and twists

• A powerful atmosphere

• Time pressure

• Misdirection like red herrings, false leads, and misleading clues

If you want to know more about these techniques, I have written a post on this question. Go to my ultimate guide on suspense-building techniques for thriller writing.

How do you create a satisfying ending for a thriller story?

A satisfying ending to a thriller novel leaves the reader satisfied with a sense of closure but also blows their minds. The protagonist should prove victorious, but that is not always the case. Even so, most obstacles will have been overcome, and the story's tension needs to be resolved to release the reader's pent-up emotions and appease their logical questions.

For more on this, go to my post on the subject, where I give tips and techniques for crafting a satisfying thriller conclusion.

What are some tips for writing a complex thriller story that keeps readers engaged?

Writing a complex story always starts with complex characters. Begin with developing vivid and flawed characters with murky motivations. The next step is to create a plot that weaves together various layers of story, adds threads of tension and suspense, and creates a cascading effect of events that eventually come together at the end.

Related Posts >>> Webs, Threads, and Dominoes: 3 Best Thriller & Suspense Writing Strategies

Make the reader question everything and hold that tension until the last possible moment.

How do you craft a convincing antagonist, or "bad guy," for a thriller book?

First of all, give them depth. Look at any great antagonist of the genre—Dr. Hannibal Lector, Thomas Ripley, Patrick Bateman. All of these characters were detailed and complex. They weren't just "evil," they were dynamic and changed (for the worse, of course).

A good antagonist believes they are the hero of their own story. Flaws and human traits make them more relatable, appealing, and also more terrifying. Their motives should be complex, driven by desires or by past trauma.

Lastly, make them formidable—they must be worthy of the fight your protagonist will accept.

Subgenres and Tropes

What are some common subgenres of thrillers?

Each thriller subgenre adds its unique spice to the mix, catering to diverse and specific tastes while still providing the suspense. Some of the most popular of these subgenres are:

• Psychological Thriller

• Political Thriller

• Legal Thriller

• Conspiracy Thriller

• Domestic Thriller

But there are many more than this. Click the link below for a full guide to thriller and suspense subgenres.

Related Posts >>> Suspense & Thriller Subgenres: A Complete Guide for Choosing A Niche for Your Thriller Story

Are there specific tropes that are frequently found in thriller novels?

Well, of course. Some common ones are:

• Double agents

• Ticking time bombs

• Relentless shadowy pursuer

• The unexpected ally

But tropes are not necessarily things to be avoided; they are tools. In the right hands, they can masterfully build suspense, but beware of overusing or using them because it's easy or because you have writer's block.

Innovation keeps the genre fresh.

Image made with Leonardo.ai

What is a psychosexual thriller, and how does it differ from other subgenres?

A psychosexual thriller is a blend of psychological suspense and sexual tension. These stories focus on the character's desires and obsessions that entangle them in a web of danger and intrigue. While they share DNA with your everyday thriller, they stand apart through their exploration of intimate and often unsettling human desires.

What makes a psychological thriller stand out, and what elements are crucial in this subgenre?

Psychological thriller is perhaps the most popular of the thriller subgenres. The suspense and tension is created in the mind. Frequently less focused on the internal dangers of being human rather than the external.

The key elements for writing a good psychological thriller are:

• Complex characters with profound internal struggles

• Intense and visceral emotional resonance

• Twisting exploration of the human psyche

This subgenre dives into the very darkest corners of the mind.

How do you effectively write a psychological thriller that messes with the reader's mind?

A million different and unique ways exist to write an impactful and successful psychological thriller. But here are a few of the best tips to get you well on your way to manipulating your readers' thoughts and emotions:

• Start with a flawed protagonist and an enigmatic antagonist

• Write and plot your story in a way that presents the reader with a series of ambiguous questions

• Manipulate perceptions and exploit human insecurities

• Plant doubt wherever you can

• Make sure your twists shatter reality and push boundaries (don't settle for basic)

Most importantly, your goal is to keep the reader guessing about where the story is going and questioning their own sanity until the final, spine-tingling revelation.

Summary

Writing thrillers is hard. Nobody will tell you otherwise. I hope I could answer some of your burning questions about how to make it a little easier in this article.

There are a few key things that you may want to take with you when you go.

Key Takeaways:

1. Suspense is the lifeblood of a thriller. It should be the primary focus. Techniques like the rule of three can help you create and maintain suspense throughout.

2. Craft multi-dimensional characters, especially antagonists. A complex antagonist is the key to bringing the entire story to life in the thriller genre.

3. Remember to innovate and experiment to keep the genre fresh and make your story stand out.

What books should you read to improve your writing in the thriller & suspense genre?

It's important that you know your genre if you are going to make an impact on it. Discover the greatest writers and the best work in the genre to see learn from the masters and gauge exactly how big the shoes you are trying to fill really are.

Read our guide to essential reading for writers to improve their craft in the thriller genre here.

Essential Reads for Thriller Writers