1. What makes a

2. REQUIREMENTS Pace- strenuous Good writing skills –you have little ‘space’ to build convincing characters –Wide range of thriller types Realism –Is expected from your readers

3. What makes a thriller? A narrative Uses similar techniques to an adventure story Many types Where are stories sourced? Has a detailed, consequential and character-driven plot

4. thriller narratives Give readers a vicarious thrill Have common origins with adventure fiction Have their origins in classic authors like –Sir Arthur Conan Doyle –Edgar Allan Poe

5. techniques Sophisticated motive and action –A betrayal from within rather than from without as in adventure fiction Greater tension than other literary forms

6. TYPES CLASSIC ‘WHODUNNIT’ POLICE PROCEDURAL CRIME PROCEDURAL –looking at other side PRIVATE EYES SPIES POLITICAL –high-level brinkmanship ‘FASHIONABLE LOSERS’ –Central character dragged into dangerous action against will PSYCHOLOGICAL –Normal people until outside influence (evil person) builds up towards denouement which comes as a shock to characters and readers ‘CHILLER’ –Cheap psychological thriller –Supernatural events APOCALYPTIC DISASTER ADVENTURES

7. How to source your plot Find a concept or theme –e.g. What if the mafia cornered the silver market? Look around you –At neighbours: who has the car beyond their means? How did they get it? –At friends –At newspapers/tv: small fillers Obituaries Human interest stories –Non-fiction shelves