Mystery/Thriller
Tips for Handling Pacing in a Thriller Novel
Pacing can make or break a thriller novel, but how do you know if you’re moving too quickly or too slowly? Here, author James Byrne shares tips for handling pacing in a thriller novel.
David Koepp: On Finding Hope in the Hopeless
Award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and novelist David Koepp discusses the balance of loss and hope in his new thriller, Aurora.
M.P. Woodward: On Authenticity in Spy Thrillers
Author M.P. Woodward discusses how he infused his real-life experiences with edge-of-your-seat fiction in his debut spy novel, The Handler.
The WD Interview: Lisa Jewell
The New York Times-bestselling British author discusses creating thrilling plot twists and developing characters in her 19th novel, The Night She Disappeared, in this interview from the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of Writer's Digest.
Dark Secrets and Dastardly Lies: Ramping Up a Killer Plot
A mystery needs more than a murder and the bad guy who did it. Here, author Connie Berry shares tips on how to ramp up a mystery novel with a killer plot.
4 Things Every Military/Espionage Thriller Writer Should Know
You don’t need first-hand insider information to write a compelling and believable spy novel. Here, New York Times bestselling author Don Bentley shares 4 things every military/espionage thriller writer should know.
Jane Shemilt: On an Idea Growing Over Time
Bestselling writer Jane Shemilt discusses her career change and the 40-year process of her new psychological thriller, The Patient.
A Conversation With J.T. Ellison on Voice: Hamburgers or Coq au Vin (Killer Writers)
Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford kicks off a series of interviews with mystery, thriller, and suspense authors. Here he has a conversation with J.T. Ellison, the bestselling author of over 25 novels.
Ron Corbett: On the Way Characters Can Surprise Us
Bestselling author Ron Corbett discusses the way his characters evolved throughout the writing process of his new mystery novel, The Sweet Goodbye.
Sascha Rothchild: On Late-Night Musings Turning Into Story Plots
Emmy-nominated writer Sascha Rothchild discusses how her late-night mind wandering led her to the premise of her new suspense novel, Blood Sugar.
Blending Mystery and Romance in Fiction
When two genres collide, they reveal just how similar they can be. Here, author Anna Lee Huber explains how and why she blends mystery and romance in her fiction.
Laure Van Rensburg: On Fresh Takes on Old Tropes in Thriller Novels
Author Laure Van Rensburg discusses the inspiration behind her new mystery novel, Nobody But Us.
A Thriller Writer’s Guide to TV/Movie Viewing
Looking outside of novels for inspiration can take your drafts into surprising and refreshing directions. Here, USA Today bestselling author Carter Wilson shares five TV and movie viewings to inspire thriller writers.
Using Real-Life Details to Ground Your Thriller Novel
Jeremy Scott demystifies the too-broad writerly advice of writing what you know by challenging us to focus in on the details.
Carole Lawrence: On the Vast Canvas of New York City History
Award-winning novelist, poet, composer, and playwright Carole Lawrence discusses how the city she’s called home for over two decades continues to inspire her in her new historical thriller, Cleopatra’s Dagger.
Gilly Macmillan: On the Thrill of Letter Writing
Internationally bestselling author Gilly Macmillan discusses how a movie from the 1940s inspired her new thriller novel, The Long Weekend.
10 Myths of Writing About Crime
Acclaimed author Ron Franscell shares 10 myths about crime writing and debunks them to help you along your storytelling journey.
5 Tips for Writing a Revenge Story
Debut novelist Kit Mayquist lays out 5 tips for writing a revenge story that slowly puts the pieces together for a final, satisfying climax.
Lynn Hightower: On Being a Thriller Writer
Bestselling author Lynn Hightower discusses the curiosity that led her to write her new paranormal thriller, The Enlightenment Project.
Green Herring: How to Camouflage a Villain in a Mystery Novel
Dimitri Vorontzov offers mystery writers another way to hide a story’s villain that is opposite to the famous red herring: the green herring.
Writing Dark Fiction
When horror isn’t your cup of tea, but a darker story is calling to you, what do you? Author Samantha Greene Woodruff discusses writing dark fiction with compelling characters.
Try One More Thing: An Award-Winning Fairytale
Award-winning author Yasmin Angoe shares the (absolutely true) fairytale of a writer who tried and failed and was sincerely ready to quit but decided to try just one more thing and found success.
Paul Vidich: On Romance in Espionage
Acclaimed author Paul Vidich discusses the inspiration behind his new literary spy novel, The Matchmaker: A Spy in Berlin.
Karen Hamilton: On Cause and Effect
International bestselling author Karen Hamilton discusses the “then and now” format of her new domestic thriller, The Ex-Husband.