6 Tips for Writing Thrillers (with Alexa Donne!)

What makes a novel a thriller? What differentiates it from mystery or suspense? I discussed these questions and more with fellow YouTuber Alexa Donne, who’s a thriller connoisseur and author. We cowrote this video of six tips for writing better thriller novels, from designing killer endings and plot twists to exploring the darker side of humanity through complex characters and themes.

Thriller Novel Recommendations:
+ The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware (slow-burn Gothic thriller)
+ The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager (plot twists)
+ A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (double twist)
+ Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (unsettling endings)
+ The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas (haunting incident trope)
+ And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (classic isolation trope)
+ Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (reporter protagonist)
+ The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (unreliable narrators)
+ One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (YA thriller with unlikable victim)
+ The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (flawed victim)
+ Mystic River by Dennis Lehane (child victim)
+ The Ivies by Alexa Donne (using the setting for social conflicts and themes)

Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ “Light the Bonfire”
+ “Illuminate”
+ “Alone”
+ “The Journey Home”
+ “Chasing Shadows”
+ “The Forgotten Forest”
+ “A Place to Call Home”

What Is a Thriller? (0:00)
1. Start at the end. (2:40)
2. Don’t be afraid of tropes. (6:36)
3. Choose a point-of-view character who’s driven to investigate. (9:47)
4. Make your victim complicated. (13:48)
5. Motives and themes can spring from the setting. (15:55)
6. Good thrillers are made in editing. (18:19)
Final Thoughts (21:24)

[AlexaDonne]

Thank you so much for having me! I had so much fun working with you! 😍

[mageprometheus]

"You are probably drowning in information, so here is one more thing..." 😆 This was truly an excellent look at thrillers.

[TheMusicscotty]

I adore this channel. The simple, confident narration, the plentiful examples, and straightforward exposition make this easily my favorite author tube channel. I'm a Brandon Sanderson SanderFan who dabbles in stories and I'm completing my 6th novel now. :) I keep writing. If for no one else, for me.

[leonmayne]

This is really good advice but there are also types of thrillers that aren't so much about uncovering mysteries or having twists, there are also thrillers where there's no mystery about what has already happened but the tension comes from what's going to happen next.

[adityasuryavanshi]

This is the most comprehensive guide to writing thrillers. Great content.

[arliyahtatoy]

Omg pleaaaase make a video about integrating flashbacks into a chapter! I've been struggling so hard with that and you're the only writing youtube channel whose content is actually super helpful and concise!

[plouviettheo]

This partnership was such a great idea ! You two are my top 2 advisers on the writing, so thanks a lot !

[cannonfodder]

A good thriller is something to be treasured, something that gets me so on edge that I read on until I realize time has flown by. I gotta know that happens next!

Another wonderful and informative video.

[luukbenschop]

A thriller isn't usually my cup of tea (in writing), but wow, have you two made it alluring. Too bad I'm too heavily invested in my current project to try something new, but who knows... I may add some thrillery elements and subplots! Thank you so much for another video of such amazing quality!

[wanitascreativecorner]

My two favorite people working together. Really great advice. I should be taking notes.

[codester]

Brilliant video, absolutely well done! Thank you both for the insights and advice! ✍👍👍

[kmh]

Omgg I was waiting for this particular genre. Thank u so much Queen 😭😭

[nikkinewbie]

Okay…I’d really like your take on the following. I’ve seen someone say that thrillers are often actually mysteries that are incorrectly categorized.

The difference was said to be mainly this: if the reader/ audience knows who the killer is at the beginning or close to the beginning, it’s a thriller. The question driving the story is HOW is Justice or retribution going to be visited on the antagonist by the protagonist.

If the reader / audience doesn’t know who the killer / villain / antagonist is until the end of the second act, it’s a mystery. The question driving the story is WHO committed the crime.

For instance Silence of The Lambs is often said to be a thriller - but it’s a mystery. Another aspect of a mystery is that you have a detective type character as the protagonist that is ultimately searching for the truth and the killer / antagonist.

In contrast the protagonist of a thriller is often a victim or someone other than a detective possibly even a criminal that has been personally targeted or affected in some way. That explains their motivation to engage - it’s personal and there is a threat of personal danger.

So for example, because we don’t find out the serial killer is Jame Gumb until the end of the second act, Silence is a mystery.

In contrast John Wick is a true thriller because the audience knows who the bad guy is from the first act and the only question is HOW John Wick (the hit man / victim wronged) will try to get his Justice. I literally have to skip the death of Daisy every time I watch that movie. 😩😩😩.

The nature of the overall story goals seem to be hugely different between the two genres and an understanding would seem to be important in outlining it writing one’s story and determining the proper genre beats.

All this said, the other poster goes on to say that widely used designations of genres are more about marketing at the end of the day rather than what the story structure indicates.

It might just be splitting hairs or a matter of labeling to some but I find the discrepancy confusing when considering how to structure my story with regard to genre conventions.

If I say my story is a mystery then I can’t be revealing the identity of the bad guy to the audience in Act 1 and ostensibly the flip side is true as well?

Perhaps Ms. Donne can attest to her experience with having her work traditionally published and how her publisher decided what genre to assign.

I’m not disagreeing with you guys because I really am not even close to your levels with Story. I am interested in your view / clarification/ advice on the subject. Zero snark. Zero shade.

I guess at the end of the day the label only matters if you’re putting your work out there to be read - again to give your reader the correct expectation.

Just so you know, I took notes on this video and found it helpful so thanks. I liked the tag team approach too!

[berryXjerry]

Thanks for making this!! I was about to outline my thriller novel and got stuck. I love reading thrillers as much as writing them!

[Akiko]

This really helped at lot with my crime/thriller novel i’m currently writing especially with the victim thank you so much for this!

[factoryofdivisiveopinions]

Yes. I love the thriller genre. I'm writing my debut novel right now and that is also a thriller.

[MichaelJaymesAuthor]

This video was put together so well! Thank you for your hard work and advice (I also love the isolation trope). :)

[pieroduharterondon]

Your channel is a blessing and an inspiration. Please, never stop. 🤓

[judiangel]

Excellent. Thanks Diane and Alexa, so much great information.

[DimensionProductions]

You're by far the most quality-over-quantity content creator I've ever seen!