How to Write Thrillers
Successful thrillers rely on the use of certain literary devices; for instance, an abundance of plot twists to shock the audience, and cliffhangers to build suspense. The personalities and behaviors of the characters; their situations; the themes employed—all elements of a thriller should induce strong, intense emotions—they should truly thrill the audience through fear, excitement, and anticipation. Furthermore, there are many common scenarios and circumstances that are common in thrillers, which include but are not limited to:
- A mystery that needs to be solved, usually by the protagonist
- A serious moral or legal conflict between protagonist and antagonist
- A protagonist fighting for his or someone else’s life
- A character that is both the protagonist and the antagonist
- Kidnapping and ransom situations
- A need to achieve justice
- Psychotic characters, usually an antagonist
- Physical and emotional struggles and battles
- Unanticipated conflict, for which characters are ill prepared
When to Use Thrillers
Thrillers are generally fiction—it is possible for films that are based on a true stories or are historical reenactments to be thrillers, though these usually are considered fiction because they are adapted for the screen and must include fictional elements. They essentially always overlap with another genre, such as mystery, horror, or crime. It is important to note that thrillers are only an appropriate genre for more mature audiences. Since their purpose is often to induce fear, they are not a suitable form for children’s literature or other media for young viewers or readers.