We can vouch for these tips on writing domestic thrillers

Posted on 01/14/2022 at 11:15 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We recently read a thriller novel, whose title we'll keep private since we didn't think the book was all that...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Thriller, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Recent posts from Writer’s Digest

Posted on 12/09/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

It can be hard to keep on top of the blogs and news sources you follow any time of year...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Science fiction, Thriller, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Make sure your thriller lives up to the genre name

Posted on 11/16/2021 at 04:30 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Most authors hope readers struggle to set their books down, but thriller writers have a particularly keen interest in keeping...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Thriller, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Trust Ian McEwan when it comes to suspense and unease

Posted on 11/01/2021 at 01:41 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

For Writer’s Digest editor Amy Jones, the concept of trust — accurate and misplaced — is central to a good...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Thriller, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

What to know about spies when writing an espionage novel

Posted on 09/24/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of a spy thriller, has never worked in an intelligence agency. But firsthand knowledge isn’t required...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Thriller, Writer's Digest

3 easy ways to tighten your novel (and build tension)

Posted on 08/06/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

While your books might not necessarily have a specific word count, you don’t want them to feel wordy, especially if...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Editing, Louise Harnby, Thriller

Mind over monster: The many roles of memory in a thriller novel

Posted on 05/05/2021 at 10:40 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

What does an acclaimed thriller writer think has the greatest fear potential in a novel? The answer will vary, of...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Thriller, Writer's Digest, Writing advice

What to consider about your crime novel's setting

Posted on 04/28/2021 at 01:30 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Setting may not be the first issue a writer thinks about when it comes to working on a crime novel....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Setting, Thriller, Writer's Digest

How your novel's bad guy can also be the good guy

Posted on 04/16/2021 at 09:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Most of the advice we’ve shared in regards to writing about criminals has assumed that the criminal is the villain....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Mystery, Thriller, Writer Unboxed

Tips for writing red herrings that don't stink

Posted on 04/15/2021 at 09:23 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Mystery novelists have to walk a special tightrope. Make the culprit too obvious and readers won’t have a reason to...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Thriller, Writer's Digest