Writing the Thriller [Paperback]

T. MacDonald Skillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

Skillman shows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats by defining suspense in clear terms writers can use to make their work tense, spine-tingling and unexpected.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The first thing T. Macdonald Skillman sets out to do in Writing the Thriller is define the thriller. Unlike the mystery, she says, "Suspense is emotional. It's surprise and confusion and fear and anticipation. And suspense is danger. Immediate danger." Thrillers come in a variety of guises: action-adventures; legal, medical, techno-, and political thrillers; psychological suspense; romantic-relationship suspense; women-in-jeopardy suspense. Skillman addresses each element of fiction writing--such as setting, dialogue, and point of view--as it applies to the various types of thriller. For all thrillers, she says, it is best to begin "in the midst of the action or danger"; any subsequent back story should "add a new dimension to the suspense itself." And the pacing should be "like climbing a long, steep series of stairways.... As you cling to the railing at the bottom of the last set of stairs, your heart is pounding; your lungs are burning." Most useful here are Skillman's case studies in plotting, for which she creates eight plots (one for each type of thriller) using the same cast of characters.

For the book's final 60 pages, Skillman hands the baton to 11 thriller writers. From Clive Cussler (Flood Tide), we learn that never growing up is "a pretty good prerequisite for writing action-adventure novels." Both Michael Connelly (Blood Work) and Tess Gerritsen (Bloodstream) discuss how their genre can be used to tap into what ills the near future holds. Richard North Patterson (Degree of Guilt) likes to consult with psychologists to get a handle on his characters' motivations, while Mary Willis Walker (All the Dead Lie Down) "love[s] doing research that feels a little bit risky." And any thriller writer would be wise to keep John Gilstrap's (Nathan's Run) words in mind: "If you're going to write convincing suspense, you ought to be scared of it yourself." --Jane Steinberg

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; 1st edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898799287
• ISBN-13: 978-0898799286
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #838,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and inspiring advice, March 28, 2000

By 

Melaine Ryther (Bothell, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the Thriller (Paperback)

This book accomplished for me what skads of other writing books have not to this point: it motivated me to actually start writing instead of just reading and dreaming about it. Skillman covers all the basics, but what I found most useful was the chapter "Case Studies in Plotting." Here she gives the synopses of several possible suspense plots using the same cast of characters in each. By so doing, she shows that coming up with a storyline isn't as complicated or mysterious as some beginning writers may think. The second section of the book, in which famous suspense/thriller writers discuss their writing methods, is worth the price of the book alone. I have read many "how to write a mystery" type manuals, but few adequately address stories that go beyond the-detective-solves-the-puzzle format. Skillman's "Writing the Thriller" definitely fills a needed niche in the writing instruction category. I'm just surprised that such a book hasn't been written before, considering how popular suspense/thriller novels are these days. It will remain next to my computer, dog-eared and highlighted, to readily supply me with boosts of confidence and inspiration along the writing journey.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a good start for beginners, November 20, 2000

By 

Suzanne E. Anderson "Author of Mrs. Tuesday's... (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing the Thriller (Paperback)

I would recommend this book if you are just starting out in the writing process. Skillman does a good job of going over the basics of character development, plot construction, and the nuances of the genre. The interviews that make up the second half of the book are, in my opinion, the real value. The opportunity to 'listen' to what accomplished authors have to say about the process of creating a bestseller is invaluable.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to write a thriller? Or just need help plotting?, February 15, 2004

By 

Patricia Lewin "Author" (Outside Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the Thriller (Paperback)

I bought Ms. Skillman's book while preparing to give a workshop on Suspense at a Writers Conferece. There aren't a lot of how-to books on this subject, and I was desperate. To my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best books on writing I've read in a long time.

Whether you're interested in writing a thriller or simply need help plotting, this book will help. It also includes articles by eleven best-selling authors, including: Tess Gerritsen, Richard North Patterson, Clive Cussler, Michael Connelly and Mary Willis Walker.