8 Tips for Plotting a Great Heist Novel (or How to Be a Thief)
There's a unique, intoxicating allure to a good heist novel. It's that tantalizing thrill of a merry band of misfits (or an elite and seasoned crew), up against long odds, pulling off the impossible, and “getting away clean.” Whether you’re on an alien planet, a fantasy world, 1920s Chicago, or the Italian Riviera, there is always something to steal.
So, grab your lock-picking tools, put on your best disguise and queue up your ultimate heist playlist while we check out eight key tips for writing the perfect heist novel.
The Mastermind
The heart of any heist novel is its central character. Whether it is charm and charisma (think Danny Ocean in Ocean’s Eleven) or a motivation that justifies the daring caper, the mastermind (not always the protagonist, as in Hustlers) drives the emotional core of the story with the plan and vision to make things happen.
Character backstory is key. What drives the mastermind? What brought them to this crossroads, and why are they qualified to lead the heist?
The Stakes
The stakes need to be sky-high to convince the reader to jump on board the runaway train that is every heist. Each member of the crew will have their own reason for getting involved. Whether it is a quest for vengeance and reparations as in The Italian Job, or a fight for survival and saving innocent lives as in Die Hard, or just a need for money, the stakes fuel the narrative, making readers empathize with the reason behind the heist.
In my novel, To Have and To Heist, the central character Simi is trying to save her best friend, a single mom, who has been framed for the theft of a $25 million necklace, and the only way to do that is to steal it back from the thief, the leader of an organized crime family. The crew come on board, not just out of a desire to help, but because each of them is struggling financially to the point that the potential reward outweighs the risk.
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The Crew
The charm of a heist lies in its motley (or vibrant as in Inception) crew, each with special skills that they bring to the table. The bosses—mastermind, partner in crime, and money person—keep things organized and the crew in line. The specialists—hacker, gadget person, and explosives expert—thrill us with their incredible inventions and expertise. The thieves—grifter, distraction, contortionist, safecracker, and pickpocket—dazzle us with deception.
The supports—driver, muscle, fixer—often take a back seat but often pull the heist together (think of Baby Driver). A crew can be as small as two or as big as 13 (Ocean’s 13). Each character adds layers to the plot and their interactions can provide comic relief. They are the gears that keep the heist running.
The Plan
Crafting an engaging heist plan is akin to choreographing an intricate dance, and seeing it all come together is part of the fun. In Snatch, the preparations and scheming by a group of wildly different criminals are packed with mishaps and comical conflicts. In Money Heist, the plan is spun out for the entirety of the series. Your characters need to envisage potential challenges, design solutions, and prep every aspect of the heist. Research is key.
If your crew needs to break into a bank vault with 10 levels of security, then check out the real-life story of the Antwerp Diamond Center heist in which Leonardo Notarbartolo broke into a seemingly impenetrable vault and made off with $100 million worth of treasure, only to be caught because of a carelessly tossed garbage bag. The meticulous planning phase forms the crux of the plot, keeping the readers intrigued, and building tension as the hurdles and risks are revealed.
The Big Day
Time to mess with the reader’s expectations! Even with the best laid plans, the initial heist goes terribly wrong, often leading to a thrilling encounter with the antagonist (think of Heat). Whether the crew is betrayed by an inside informant (Reservoir Dogs), the intended object of the heist is missing (The Art of the Steal), or the heist spirals out of control (Dog Day Afternoon), the crew is forced to retreat and regroup. The roller-coaster ride of successes and setbacks keeps readers turning pages.
The Revision
Armed with a revised plan and tech marvels (think Mission: Impossible), and often with an injection of self-discovery and support from an unexpected source, the crew tries again. Their innovative tactics and resilience inject adrenaline into the narrative, pushing the limits of their wit and resourcefulness. This is their moment, the culmination of everything they have worked for, and the reader gets a respite from the tension and a chance to savor the moment.
The Great Escape
With the object in hand, the crew makes their great escape. Riddled with misdirection and surprises (The Usual Suspects), an unexpected double-cross, a chase scene, a visual treat (think of the Minis in The Italian Job) or a last-minute snag, this part of the story provides one last pulse-pounding thrill before the big finale.
The Aftermath
Whether it is the sweet taste of success or a twist of poetic justice, readers should leave with a sense of satisfaction at the end of the journey, even if the story ends with a lingering question (Inception) or a touch of ambiguity (Now You See Me) that could set the stage for a sequel.
Writing a heist novel is a high-stakes literary game of cat-and-mouse that catapults the writer and the reader into a whirlwind of intrigue, danger, and breathtaking feats. So, grab your pen or keyboard, find your target and put together your crew. It’s time to plot your heist. Happy stealing!
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