Thriller Stories: How to Write + Top Ideas to Start Thriller Writing

Do you want your readers to finish your story in one sitting? You want them excited about the next page so they keep reading? Then, my friend, you should start writing thriller stories. But how do you write them? Let me get on to that real quick.

Thriller books have had a great impact on the history of English literature. It grabs the attention of readers with its intense suspense, surprising twists, and exciting stories.

This is an extremely exciting genre to read. In fact, thriller stories are one of the most popular genres in the publishing world—Medium, with 14.1 million units sold in 2021.

If you have vivid imaginations and are good at plotting complicated tales, then you must try this genre.

This article will help you start your journey as a thriller writer. I have defined the process in 5 easy steps.

5 steps to write a thriller story

What is so special about thrillers? A thriller is all about tension, suspense, and that irresistible urge to know what happens next. But how to create this tension? Let’s break it down:

1. Start by plotting a thriller

Start with the main plot of your story. Construct the story around it, but do not reveal the whole twist just yet. Save it for the ending.

Reveal the mystery in small portions from time to time as the story progresses to keep your readers excited.

For characters, create a complex, intelligent antagonist who acts as a significant threat to your protagonist. Leave hints in the story about the antagonist and their motive. Let your readers create different likely scenarios in their minds.

They will definitely read the next page to find out if they are right or not. It will keep them busy.

Example: Let's say the main plot revolves around a detective, Jasmine Dallas, who is investigating a series of high-profile disappearances in a major city. All disappeared persons are females between 20 and 25 years of age. The kidnapper leaves no clues behind, except the middle finger of the victim. With this pattern in all the disappearances, the detective is trying to gather further evidence to get close to their extremely smart serial kidnapper.

You want to reveal the antagonist slowly, feeding the readers just enough information to keep them guessing.

To create this type of plot, you have to keep these things in mind:

• Your twist should be believable
• Use a double plot twist: a smaller twist before the main one
• The twist should be followed by action and drama
• Reveal bits of the twist carefully
• The results should not be unpredictable
• Use action or emotional scenes also

2. Have a strong command of building suspense

Building suspense is very important in a thriller. These are created by keeping some facts hidden. Adding time pressure helps create suspense; it hints that something is about to happen, so the reader continues to read.

Use cliffhangers (unexpected twists and turns) at the end of chapters to keep the tension high. It will make your readers start the next chapter.

Example: In our story, the detective finds that the kidnapper takes a girl every Friday night, leaving only a middle finger behind. But this time the middle finger has a piece of hair in its nail.

Now the hair is sent for DNA testing, and the report will come in a week.

Next Friday, a new kidnapping was reported. Our detective is about to leave to see the crime scene, and the report comes in.

She is in a hurry to catch the kidnapper before the girl gets killed but stops for the report. She opens the report, reads it, and her eyes get wide open in disbelief after reading it.

The chapter ends here.

This break in the events will lead your readers to the next chapter.

3. Control the rhythm of the story

Every writer must manage the timing to keep readers hooked. Balance is important in every genre of literature.

Alternate between the fast and slow parts of your story. It will help you keep the main plot a secret and reveal bits of it with readers thinking about the possible outcomes.

Scenes where the story is going ahead with a revelation are great for readers to get excited. While the slower parts with emotional scenes allow readers to develop a narrative about the characters and the possible outcomes of the story.

Furthermore, use short sentences and paragraphs for exciting moments to deliver your tale more clearly to your audience. Make sure to speed things up, and use longer and more detailed passages to slow things down when needed.

You can also add a short love story or any other genre to make your story a wholesome experience for your readers. But for short periods only, do not let your reader's mind away from the real plot.

Example: In our story, the report says that the hair belongs to a woman, which is shocking because “Why would a woman do that to another woman?” The detective is traveling to the crime scene now, thinking about all the possible motives for this hideous act. She is thinking about the victims, and their condition right now (slow part).

As she arrived at the crime scene, she saw that there were trails of a car going north. So she ran back to her mobile and followed the tire marks. Following those marks, she went into a forest. It was pitch black, and she could not see anything. Suddenly she saw smoke, like there was a fire nearby. So she ran towards that smoke (fast part).

4. Craft intense action sequences

If you want to write fight scenes or some high-octane moments, focus on clarity and impact. Use strong, active verbs and concise descriptions to convey the intensity of the moment.

Remember to engage multiple senses to make the scene more clear. Add dialogue and a description of the environment to make it look more dramatic.

The fight should be a decisive or at least an important part of the mystery story that your protagonist is trying to solve. It will be more engaging this way.

Example: Following the smoke, our detective found an old house. She carefully observed the surroundings, which were dark and silent. She tried to hear something through the walls of the house but was not able to.

Suddenly she heard something. As she turned back, something dark attacked her.

She could not see it but realized that it was a dog.

She tried to keep silent, but the dog was constantly biting her.

She was on the ground now, holding the mouth of the dog.

She thought, “With this much barking from this dog, she must already know that I am here,” “I must move quickly before she tries to escape.”

Thinking that, she threw the dog away and took her gun out.

Before the dog could attack again, she shot it.

5. Deliver a satisfying climax

Your finale should be powerful enough to leave readers satisfied, so focus on these elements:

• High stakes: Make sure the outcome of the protagonist's challenge is crucial and clearly understood. (In our story, the detective has to stop the kidnappings.)
• Unexpected twists: Include surprising turns that keep both characters and readers guessing. (The kidnapper of our story is a female, which is not a likely outcome.)
• Character growth: Show how the protagonist has changed and improved throughout the story. (Our detective could be a failure in the beginning, but in the end, she has solved the biggest case of her life.)
• Pacing: Build tension by speeding up the action with shorter sentences and paragraphs. (Like when a dog attacks our detective.)
• Clear resolution: Wrap up the main conflict definitively while leaving room for future stories if needed. (Like the next example)

Example: After killing the dog, she moved quickly to catch the kidnapper. She knew that the noise of the bullet must have triggered the kidnapper.

As she tried to find a way inside, she could feel somebody moving carefully. The environment was so silent that she could hear her own heartbeat.

She stopped and tried to hear the steps of the person inside. She realized that somebody was behind her. She turned back and saw a shadow trying to attack her with a stick.

She was so afraid that she pulled the trigger and killed the attacker. Then she turned on the light of her phone to see the face of the kidnapper. To her surprise, it was a man. “But the DNA report…” she thought, “there must be a woman too.”

So she broke the door and moved inside. She found all the girls in the cellar, but two of them were already dead because of torture. One of the girls told our detective that the woman who kidnapped all of them left just after the sound of a gunshot. The man who attacked the detective is just an accomplice.

Our detective ran outside to catch her. She looked everywhere but got nothing.

She found the girls, but with the culprit on large, the cases are still open (left something for the next story).

The difference between thrillers, mysteries, and suspense fiction

In fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels each provide readers with different experiences. They have unique storytelling styles and themes. It is sometimes difficult for writers to understand the difference; at that time, AI helps writers to write effectively.

Like an AI plot writer creates stories and assists writers in writing a variety of stories. If readers and writers are aware of these genres, it is easy for them to understand what to expect and what they prefer. The table below shows the differences between all the genres.

Aspect	Thrillers	Mysteries	Suspense Fiction
Main Focus	Exciting action and intense moments	Solving a crime or mystery	Building tension and uncertainty
Emotional Tone	Fast-paced and often dark	Curious and nervous	Anxious and suspenseful
Main Characters	Heroes facing danger and risks	Detectives or investigators	Characters in imminent danger
Plot Elements	High stakes, danger, and surprises	Clues, suspects, and investigation	Uncertainty and potential threats
Writing Style	Quick-paced with many twists	Techniques for solving puzzles	Slowly building suspense
Reader Engagement	Keeping readers hooked	Solving puzzles and uncovering secrets	Maintains suspense and unease
Author’s Example	Lee Child, Gillian Flynn,	Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle	Alfred Hitchcock, Patricia Highsmith

What makes a story a thriller?

Thrillers are a popular genre in literature that captivate readers with their exciting narratives and suspenseful plots. These stories are designed to convey powerful emotions, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Here are some of the notable characteristics that make your story a thriller:

• High stakes and tension throughout
• The protagonist faces danger or threats
• Clever, resourceful villain or antagonist
• Unexpected twists and turns
• Race against time element
• Atmospheric settings that create unease
• Moral dilemmas or ethical challenges
• Use of red herrings to mislead readers
• Detailed descriptions of planning or problem-solving
• Exploration of fear, anxiety, and complexities

These story elements combine to create an intense reading experience that challenges characters and engages readers, making your writing beloved in the literary world.

Types of thriller stories

Thriller stories come in various forms, each with its own unique elements and style. Whether you enjoy psychological games, high-stakes criminal investigations, or exciting action sequences, there's a thriller subgenre to suit every taste.

Let's explore the six most popular types of thriller stories.

1. Psychological thrillers: These focus on the mental states of characters and often involve mind games or manipulation.
2. Crime thrillers: These revolve around criminal acts and usually consist of detectives or ordinary people solving mysteries.
3. Action thrillers: Full of exciting scenes, fights, and danger, these keep readers on the edge of their seats.
4. Spy thrillers: These involve hidden cameras, secret agents, and international conspiracies.
5. Legal thrillers: Set in the world of law and courtrooms, these often feature lawyers uncovering truths.
6. Techno-thrillers: These combine advanced technology with suspense, often exploring the potential dangers of new inventions.

5 ideas to start thriller writing

Following are the five exciting ideas to start the story that increase the credibility of your narrative. These points help you while you are narrating your tale.

1. Start with a strong hook

Open your story with an interesting scene or situation that immediately grabs the reader's attention. This could be a mysterious event, a shocking revelation, or a character in trouble. Your goal is to make the reader want to keep turning pages from the very start.

2. Create complex and relatable characters

Develop the protagonists and antagonists of your tale with depth. Give them clear motivations, flaws, and backstories; it makes your character strong and your narrative as well. It is necessary for you to make your readers able to understand and empathize with your characters, even if they don't always agree with their actions.

3. Build tension and pace

Maintain a sense of urgency throughout your novel. Use a mix of fast-paced action scenes and slower moments of suspense. Introduce plot twists and cliffhangers at key points to keep readers engaged and guessing.

4. Research thoroughly

If your thriller involves specific professions, locations, or technical details, make sure to research them well. Accuracy adds credibility to your novella and helps readers immerse themselves in the world you've created. Accurate information makes your narrative more popular and memorable for the readers.

5. Plant clues and red herrings

Spread small signals throughout your novel that point to the ultimate resolution. At the same time, include some false leads to keep readers guessing. The key is to make the conclusion surprising yet logical when readers look back at the clues.

Final words

Writing a thriller is no easy task. It requires a delicate balance of plot, character, and pacing. But with practice and persistence, you can craft a story that will keep readers up all night, turning pages.

Remember the words of James Patterson: “Ultimately, a great thriller is a roller coaster ride. I like to think that's a promise I have never failed to keep, and one that I'd say has served my books well.” That's the goal of every thriller writer—to create a story so compelling that readers can't look away.

So, are you ready to start your thriller writing journey? What idea resonates with you the most? How will you make your thriller stand out in this popular genre? The world is waiting for your heart-pounding, pulse-racing story. Now go write it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I develop a strong plot for a thriller?

Strong plots are the ones that are based on reality. To get your hands on reality, read more. You can watch thriller movies, read crime sections of the newspapers, and reenactments of the crimes. It will make your mind work differently and you will get ideas.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a thriller?

Do not reveal your plot. Let your readers guess. Describe each scene in a way that the reader can imagine the feelings of your characters, so you don’t have to tell them.

What role does the setting play in a thriller story?

The setting in a thriller can significantly enhance the atmosphere and tension. Choose locations that add to the mood, such as dark alleys, isolated areas, or high-tech environments. Use the setting to create obstacles and challenges for the characters, making it an integral part of the plot.

External resources

• Agatha Christie is the best-selling thriller/mystery author of all time, who has sold between 2 billion and 4 billion copies of her books.
• 10 Popular Thriller Books that will Keep you Hooked with their Riveting Suspense (2024)
• Sentence Structure: Learn the Rules for Every Sentence Type