The Ingredients of a Good Thriller

In The Ingredients of a Good Thriller, Chris Wood has written a guide for anyone interested in writing books or screenplays in the thriller genre. Especially aimed at new mystery writers, directors, or actors, this companion piece is not meant to be complete, but a resource to draw from for anyone who would like to be a successful writer.

Filled with insights and anecdotes, Wood’s subtitle reads, “A simple guide to noir, cops, gangsters, heists, and badasses in book and film, and how to make that genre work for you as a writer.” A long subtitle, but an apt description for what the author admits is a quick and easy read.

Subdivided into five areas, the book begins with basic starting points that include different types of thrillers, plots, settings, crime scenes, and a good start. The second section describes various character types such as the sleuth, the sidekick, the villain, the victim, the anti-hero, the red herring, and the enabler.

Wood also has sections on showing and shaping characters, and approaches and details. The later section includes discussion regarding atmosphere, how to make the reader flinch, how to make a kill a crowd pleaser, and how to use suspense, humor, and reality.

How to give your writing a real feel with research, details, and facts will enlighten the beginning writer. There are times in a story when too much detail is given; for example, Wood suggests knowing the precise location of the vending machines at FBI Headquarters may be more detail than the reader needs. Such detail can slow the narrative flow and cause the reader to lose interest.

A recommended list of crime films and crime books, many of them British, will provide the budding thriller writer with plenty of examples of how to write to impress an audience. By no means a definitive list, there are numerous quality and historic movies and books to study and emulate.

The closing chapter of The Ingredients of a Good Thriller provides an essential outline of what is necessary to write a thriller, book, or movie that will drive readers and viewers to long for more from the author.

Throughout the book, Wood uses examples from well-known books, feature films, and television series to make his point. The chapters are short and to the point, and would make an excellent outline for those who want to delve deeper into any one area.

You can purchase Ingredients of a Good Thriller at Amazon.com.

Noir Fiction

Recently on BellaOnline's Mystery Books site, I posted a couple of articles about noir fiction. Although noir fiction began in the late 1920's and early 1930's, it reached its heyday during the 1950's.

Barry Gifford founded Black Lizard Books in 1984, and was instrumental in the resurgence of the noir genre. In the 1990's and into the 21st century, the writings of Ray Ring, Ed Gorman, Lawrence Block, Elmore Leonard, James Ellroy, and Patricia Highsmith continue the tradition.

Click on the links to the articles for further information:

Noir Fiction
Modern Noir

If you are a fan of noir fiction, who is your favorite author? What time period do you enjoy the most?

Better yet, have you ever written in the noir genre?

What Happens When a Series Runs Too Long

My local library comes in handy as my reading list grows. So does my stint as a book reviewer at Night Owl Romance (NOR). The trouble is I find more and more books and authors I would love to read. And, please don't get me started reading a series. I have a tendency, when I find a good series, to read every book in order even when there are 15 to 20 books in that series.

Actually, I tend to prefer to follow a good series. Debbie Macomber has two series that I have followed: the Cedar Cove series and the series about the yarn shop, A Good Yarn. Although Debbie has written several other series, I have so far avoided getting hooked on them.

Writing a series of stories with engaging characters and good plot lines is a smart move on the part of writers. Once someone gets hooked on a series, the writer has a ready made audience breathlessly awaiting the next novel. The longer the series can play out without getting stale, the better for the writer.

Unfortunately, too many times the author should have quit while they were ahead. I've recently read complaints from readers about series that are no longer up to the same standard as the earlier books. Alas, I read the reviews on Amazon.com - not the place an author wants to see their latest book trashed.

Therefore, dear author, if you are writing a series of books that become popular with readers, take care not to start writing later books by rote or rush them out because the publisher wants the next installment. Take care that you can keep the same or better quality going, or end the series and start another. Your readers will reward you by continuing to follow you - not publicly trashing your novel.

Cozy Mysteries Make Great Reading

The cozy mystery genre has grown by leaps and bounds during the past couple of decades. Born in the 1920's during the Golden Age of detective mysteries, Agatha Christie is hailed as the forerunner of the genre. But was she really?

Read this brief history of the beloved "cozies" for the answer. Located on the BellaOnline Mystery Books site, when you finish the article click on forum on the right sidebar to join us for lively discussion on any mystery book topic.

What is your favorite cozy theme? Your favorite cozy author?

Living a Double Life

Living a double life is never easy. Or do I have a split personality? Either way, sometimes my life gets rather confusing when I forget who I am and try to cross over. Let me explain.

My normal everyday life is lived as Edie Dykeman. Not the name I was born with, but have lived with since my marriage many eons ago. But, in my fiction writing life, I am known as Gail Monroe, also part of my birth name.

Earlier today, I received an email message letting me know someone had put in a friend request on a site. Therefore, I clicked on the link, accepted the friend, then started to make a couple of thematic changes. Then it got a little weird. I realized I was confusing my persona. Who was I? What information should I include?

What surprised me is, that experience has not happened sooner. The double life just started about two years ago when I began writing fiction.

Now the real question is, who am I for this blog? Am I the blogger, article writer, website owner that is a caregiver to my father, or am I the fiction writer who has her own life?

I changed the theme and look of this blog today, because I think Gail would like the softer look. Edie isn't that soft. In fact, at times she can be tough. She used to be a tomboy, you know. Gail is more girly and likes the softer colors.

Now that I know, kinda, who I am, I am going to give readers a couple of links which will give an insight into who Gail really is as a person. These are two of the sites she is involved in, although more may come to mind.

Romance Book Junction is a site that I haven't spent nearly enough time on, but I'm hoping that I can mingle more than I do now. There is a large group of romance readers and writers that are a part of this site, and I would like to get to know them.

Night Owl Romance is a fantastic site that readers and writers will find invaluable. I have written book reviews for NOR since September 2007, and have enjoyed every minute. I've met some very good writers, and read books I probably never would have read otherwise.

There you go - two sites that Gail is involved with and that you might want to take a look at. Gail will have more to say about what she has been involved with at a later date.

If you are living a double life, you are welcome to share your experience in the comment section.

BellaOnline Mystery Books Editor - Yeah!

Just found out early this a.m. that I "graduated" from the BellaOnline Mystery Books Editor training. Now I have a three-month launch period, then I will be off and running...that is reading and writing.

I am very excited about the future as I funnel down my focus. I have blogs and websites all over the place, but I am narrowing my vision for 2009. The Mystery Books site and the Elder Care Cafe dot net site will take priority at this time.

That said, next week is the first Book-in-a-week session for 2009. Moe and company are putting the finishing touches on our new web home. If you would like to join us, here is the link.

Here is a blurb from Moe, our illustrious, dedicated and hard-working moderator:

It is an honor to be listed in the Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Our motto continues to be BIC HOK TAM, which means butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly. This is the best way we know of to get any writing done.

We hope you will join us in meeting our writing goals.

There you have it - two great websites - one geared toward reading and the other focused on writing. Hope you have the opportunity to visit both.

Take care and see you soon!

Dear Mystery Reader

It seems I should change the name of this blog to reader instead of writer. I seem to do much more of the former.

Currently, I am in training at BellaOnline as the new Mystery Books Editor. Very excited, and hopefully I will pass muster and become the permanent editor. I love what I am learning, and am excited for my possible future role on this site.

I will let you know when I hear official news!