Plot a thriller
The diagram shows the major points in how to plot a thriller
This diagram is a framework for writing a thriller. In particular, how to plot a thriller. It’s based on my experience writing crime fiction and on studying how other writers create thriller plots. I’ll go into more detail about each of the stages of the diagram in future posts on thriller plot structure and thriller plot twists, and I’ll add some points to the diagram as we go along. But if you follow this to create your thriller plot outline, you’ll have a thriller that’ll keep you and your readers in a state of tension until the last page. It’s a companion piece to my podcast How to Structure and Plot a Book. While you’re waiting for my coming posts, come up with a premise for a thriller and see if you can plot out how you’d develop it right through this diagram. Before you know it you’ll have a basic thriller plot. Let me know what you come up with.
Go deeper into writing with some of my other posts on writing thrillers. Figure out if you want to plot everything out before you start or not. Check out some writers whose books aren’t thrillers, but who can help improve your thriller. Look at how Don Winslow structures the Midpoint of his books. And don’t just think about it: here are tips on how to get started writing a thriller.
Write a thriller: Character drives plot
This is so helpful, would be more helpful if all the text was fully legible. Any chance you have a clearer image of this?
Very happy that it’s useful to you. I can’t make it any bigger on this page (because of the limitations of the theme.) But you’ve sparked an idea. Maybe I’ll slice it up and do a post on each Act. That will allow me to make the diagram bigger…Stay tuned, and thanks for the suggestion.
This diagram is a framework for writing a thriller. In particular, how to plot a thriller. It’s based on my experience writing crime fiction and on studying how other writers create thriller plots. I’ll go into more detail about each of the stages of the diagram in future posts on thriller plot structure and thriller plot twists, and I’ll add some points to the diagram as we go along.
Thank you so much for this! It’s just what I was looking for! I write in other genres but had an idea for a thriller series, but wasn’t sure of the beats. This was just what I needed, not only to write the first book in the series, but to write others to come.
Could you give us some examples of books that do a great job of having an intense and satisfying climax, and then after a natural and effective “true threat emerges”?
Thanks for all the amazing advice!
Could you give us some examples of books that do a great job of having an intense and satisfying climax, and then after a natural and effective “true threat emerges”?
Thanks for all the amazing advice!