How to Write a Thriller: Tips for Writing a Thriller Novel

Are you looking to craft an electrifying thriller? From the excitement and suspense thrillers offer to the intellectual challenge and emotional rollercoaster they provide, thrillers have a unique ability to enthrall readers, making them eager to turn the page and discover what will happen next.

So how do you ensure your thriller will keep the reader on the edge of their seat? In this post, we'll share our top tips on incorporating the essential components of thrillers when crafting your own gripping tale.

What is a thriller?

A thriller is a genre characterized by its ability to create a sense of suspense, tension, and excitement within the narrative. Thrillers typically involve high stakes, dangerous conflicts, and a central mystery or a race against time. Let’s look at the key thriller elements that will help you master the thriller genre!

Types of thrillers

Like other genres, thrillers can be divided into subgenres, such as psychological thrillers, political thrillers, and supernatural thrillers. Each type of thriller plot will come with certain reader expectations. For example, readers of crime thrillers expect intricate investigations and a focus on law enforcement, while psychological thriller writing often delves into the minds of unstable characters and their internal conflicts.  Regardless of subgenre, thrillers generally include elements of mystery and suspense and have a high-concept idea at the center.

Read on for our tips for writing a good thriller!

Tips to write a thriller novel readers will love

Start with a high-concept idea

Begin with a captivating and unique premise that can be summed up in a single sentence. A high-concept idea is an easily understood narrative hook that intrigues and excites. For example, "A detective with amnesia must solve his own attempted murder before the killer strikes again." This idea should be fresh and exciting, setting the stage for the tension and stakes to come.

In Gillian Flynn’s psychological thriller Gone Girl, the high-concept idea can be summarized as: "On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, a woman mysteriously disappears, and all clues point to her husband, who must navigate the media frenzy and public scrutiny to prove his innocence while uncovering the truth about his wife’s hidden life."

This high-concept idea immediately presents a unique and captivating premise, setting up high stakes and a central mystery that hooks the reader from the start.

Create a compelling hero

The foundation of every thriller is built upon its characters and the life-or-death situations they encounter. After choosing your idea, your next task is to develop a compelling protagonist with distinct motivations or problems and place them in a high-stakes scenario threatening their lives, loved ones, or world. The intriguing premise must hook the reader and keep them invested. The more invested readers become in the fate of your characters, the greater the suspense will be.

Thrillers often explore characters' psychology, exploring their motivations, fears, and moral dilemmas. Characters' internal struggles, including their vulnerabilities and flaws, contribute to the depth of the story and provide additional layers of intrigue.

Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo introduces readers to Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant computer hacker. Blomkvist is hired to solve a mysterious disappearance in the wealthy Vanger family, which leads him to uncover dark family secrets and a series of gruesome murders. As the two characters become entangled in their pursuit of the truth, they not only face danger, but also powerful and dangerous individuals who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. The combination of the engaging characters and the high-stakes situations they find themselves in creates an intense and thrilling narrative.

Paula Hawkins employs an unreliable narrator as a key element of her narrative in The Girl on the Train, in which the protagonist, Rachel Watson, is plagued by alcoholism and memory lapses, making her recollection of events suspect. Through Rachel's perspective, the reader is immersed in a world of uncertainty and doubt, unsure of what is real and what is distorted by her unreliable perceptions. Rachel's unreliability adds layers of suspense and intrigue, casting doubt on her credibility as a witness and narrator. This narrative device keeps readers on edge, constantly questioning the truth and turning the pages to uncover the hidden secrets lurking beneath Rachel's flawed perspective.

Use well-paced suspense and tension

Thrillers rely on the art of pacing to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Maintaining a balance between action-packed scenes and moments of tension with breathers between these intense scenes keeps readers engaged in a rollercoaster of emotions. Gradually escalate the tension throughout the story, leaving readers turning pages with the strategic use of cliffhangers, timed revelations, and the constant presence of imminent threats.

The thriller Gone Girl is a perfect example of expertly crafted pacing and tension-building. Alternating between two unreliable narrators, the story follows Amy Dunne's disappearance and the subsequent investigation into her husband Nick's involvement. Flynn skillfully manipulates the pacing, unveiling revelations and skillfully timed twists that keep readers guessing until the very end.

In Behind Closed Doors, B.A. Paris employs skillful pacing to heighten tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story revolves around a seemingly perfect couple with dark secrets. Paris expertly manipulates the pacing, alternating between past and present events, gradually unveiling the full extent of the characters' disturbing lives, culminating in a heart-pounding climax.

Incorporate plot twists and red herrings

Thrillers thrive on surprises and unexpected turns. Incorporate plot twists that force readers to reevaluate everything they thought they knew. Introduce red herrings—false clues or characters—to mislead readers and create a sense of uncertainty. Foreshadow key events without giving too much away, guaranteeing that each twist leaves readers surprised and hungry for more. However, as a writer, you must also ensure that the twists are logical and believable, considering the breadcrumbs given to the reader throughout the story. It may be helpful to outline your story before you begin, as the plot structure of thrillers can be complex. Plotting a thriller before drafting can save you a lot of time spent on rewrites to repair plot holes!

In A.J. Finn's The Woman in the Window, the author employs a red herring to create an unpredictable ending and a captivating plot twist. The reader follows Dr. Anna Fox as she becomes embroiled in a web of suspicion and paranoia while witnessing a potential crime. Finn strategically introduces multiple suspects and subtle clues, leading the reader down various paths of suspicion. However, as the story unravels, it becomes evident that the true nature of events and the identity of the perpetrator are not what they initially seemed. The red herring expertly misdirects the reader's attention, ultimately culminating in an unforeseen and surprising twist that challenges the readers’ assumptions and keeps them engaged until the very end.

Research your story's settings and concepts

Ground your thriller in well-researched and vividly described settings. Whether your tale is set in a fantasy world, a historical event, or a contemporary city, the atmosphere plays a crucial role in building tension. Layer in intriguing concepts that hold the reader’s attention by incorporating elements of technology, espionage, psychological manipulation, or supernatural phenomena that add depth and intrigue to your story.

Conduct thorough research to ensure the credibility of your story. Whether it's technological details, legal procedures, or historical details, accuracy adds to the believability of the narrative, helping readers to fully immerse themselves in the world you've created. For example, if you're writing a political thriller, you'll need to be familiar with governmental structures, espionage tactics, and political maneuvering to craft a convincing and engaging plot.

In Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, the author combines well-researched settings and intriguing concepts to create a narrative that takes readers on a journey through historical landmarks such as the Louvre Museum, Westminster Abbey, and Rosslyn Chapel. Brown integrates art, history, and religious symbolism into the plot, introducing concepts like the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar, and the Divine Feminine. These elements, grounded in extensive research, add depth and authenticity to the story, immersing readers in a world of ancient secrets and hidden meanings. The combination of meticulously crafted settings and intriguing concepts not only engages readers intellectually but also serves to heighten the intrigue.

Write a thriller with a climactic resolution

Finally, a climactic resolution is an essential element in thriller fiction as it provides a satisfying culmination of the central conflict, tying together the various story threads and resolving the tension and suspense built throughout the narrative. It offers readers a sense of closure and fulfillment, allowing them to experience the resolution of the high-stakes situation driving the story.

The climactic resolution of Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity serves as a pivotal element in the thriller narrative as Jason Bourne, an amnesiac operative, is pursued by unknown assailants while piecing together his past identity. The climactic resolution arrives as Bourne unravels the truth about his own abilities, the organization he was part of, and the conspiracy surrounding him. The climactic resolution not only provides closure to Bourne's personal journey but also unveils the larger picture of the conspiracy he has become entangled in, offering a satisfying culmination of the suspense built throughout the novel.

Ready to write a gripping thriller?

Writing a thriller requires a careful balance of engaging characters, suspenseful plotting, and skillful execution. By incorporating the elements of suspense, such as engaging characters, high-stakes situations, skillful pacing, unpredictable twists, well-researched settings, and mastery of suspenseful writing techniques, you can craft a gripping thriller that leaves readers breathless.

Remember, the key lies in constantly surprising and challenging your readers, keeping them engaged with a relentless pursuit of answers. With these tips as your guide, you’re ready to unleash your creativity and create a thriller that will keep your readers turning pages long into the night.