Thriller Roundtable
This week we’re joined by ITW Members Jessica Bayliss, J. T. Ellison, Cheryl Hollon, Paul D. Marks, David McCaleb, Arthur Kerns and Maria Alexander as they discuss the question: “Is the theater standard of a three-act play valid for thriller novels?” Click on the names and bookcovers below to learn more about this week’s authors, and scroll down to the “comments” section below to follow along. You won’t want to miss it!
With so many authors moonlighting as comic book writers these days, the Thriller Rountable couldn’t help but ask: “What can thriller writers learn from the comics industry?” ITW Members Liam Sweeny, Lisa Black, Jeff Mariotte, and J. H. Bográn join us this week to discuss the inevitable overlap between comics and thrillers. Scroll down to the “comments” section and follow along!
This week we’re joined by ITW members James Hilton, Kit Frick, Mysti Berry, David Simms, Frank Zafiro, Ronie Kendig, Connie di Marco and Jonathan Whitelaw, and we’re asking them “How do you raise the stakes to the next level?” Scroll down to the “comments” section and follow along – you won’t want to miss this!
If a mystery is a tale about solving a crime while a thriller is about stopping one, how would you write a blend of the two? That’s the question posed to this week’s all-star lineup of ITW Members: James Hilton, Linda Bennett Pennell, Nick Kolakowski, Mysti Berry, Richard Mabry, David Simms, Frank Zafiro, Dave Zeltserman, R. J. Pineiro, Martin Roy Hill, Ellison Cooper, Arthur Kerns and Alex Lettau. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along!
Plotter or pantser? Since early man began scratching stories onto the walls of caves, the age-old question has been asked: How do you write, from the seat of your pants or are you a planner? This week ITW Members Ann Simas, James Hilton, Linda Bennett Pennell, Nick Kolakowski, Lynn Cahoon, Charles Salzberg, Kellye Garrett, Mysti Berry, Richard Mabry, David Bell, David Simms, Frank Zafiro, Ronie Kendig and Lane Stone will take a crack at it. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along!
Whether it’s The Motorcycle Diaries and Midnight in Paris, or Misery and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, writers have always played some of our favorite protagonists. This week we ask ITW members James Hilton, Lynn Cahoon, Mysti Berry, David Bell, David Simms, Frank Zafiro and R. J. Pineiro the age-old question: Do you enjoy films with authors as protagonists? Why? Scroll down to the “comments” section to see how this one plays out!
Clues foreshadow how plots unfold and characters react. This week we’re joined by ITW Members Alan Jacobson, Jay Brandon, Robert J. Stava, Sarah Simpson and David Orange as they answer the question: What is the best clue you have inserted into a novel as a writer? Scroll down to the “comments” section to see how this unfolds!
With ThrillerFest firmly in our rearview mirror and our writing bucket full of inspiration, we turn to ITW Members Alan Jacobson, Patrick Oster, Jay Brandon, Robert J. Stava, Paul D. Brazill, Kim Alexander, Sarah Simpson, William Boyle, David Orange and Lisa Black as they discuss how they choose their character’s names. Scroll down to the “comments” section to see what they have to say!
Post ThrillerFest we’re discussing those grand climaxes so often associated with thrillers. We’re joined by ITW Members Martin Roy Hill, Alan Jacobson, Sandra Block, Robert J. Stava, Sarah Simpson, J.H. Bográn and Carole Lawrence as they answer the question: “Thrillers are known for their grand, loud, all-out climaxes. How do you set them up?” Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along. You won’t be sorry!
With ThrillerFest starting this week and Pitchfest on Thursday we’re honored to be joined this week by literary agents and editors Jill Marr, Chantelle Aimée Osman, Gina Panettieri, Peter Rubie, Ann Leslie Tuttle, Paula Munier and Terrie Wolf as they reveal the most common mistake writers make when approaching an agent. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along. You really won’t want to miss this!
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With Pitchfest on the horizon we’re honored to be joined this week by literary agents and editors Chantelle Aimée Osman, Jill Marr, Gina Panettieri, Peter Rubie, Ann Leslie Tuttle, Paula Munier and Terrie Wolf. This week’s question: How much editing/revisions you do before sending a new project to a publisher? Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along. You really won’t want to miss this!
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With Pitchfest on the horizon we’re honored to be joined this week by literary agents and editors Lynnette Novak, Jessica Faust, Chantelle Aimée Osman, Jill Marr, Gina Panettieri, Peter Rubie, Ann Leslie Tuttle and Paula Munier as they discuss the question: Can you define the one thing that makes you sign an author? Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along. You really won’t want to miss this!
This week we’re taking about blurbs with ITW Members Paul Levine, Paul Sinor, David Simms, J.H. Bográn, T.J. O’Connor and Arthur Kerns. What’s the advantage of having a blurb from another author and how do you choose who to ask? Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along – you won’t want to miss this!
Stephen King has said a novel’s draft should be done in three months. this week ITW Members Paul Levine, Ammar Habib, Paul Sinor, Katee Robert, Lisa Von Biela, David Simms, E.M. Powell and T.J. O’Connor discuss how long it takes them to finish the first draft? Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along!
Summer’s almost here and inquiring minds want to know: How do you plan your summer writing schedule? Does it change through the seasons? Join ITW Members Rich Wickliffe, Paul Gitsham, Ammar Habib, Lisa Von Biela and David Simms as they discuss how their writing ritual changes throughout the seasons. Scroll down to the “comments” section to follow along!
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SPECIAL FEATURES
- Between the Lines: Hank Phillippi Ryan by Josie Brown
- Between the Lines: Reed Farrel Coleman by Alex Segura
- Between the Lines: Sarah Weinman by Nancy Bilyeau
- Between the Lines: J. T. Ellison by J. H. Bográn
- Trend Alert: How Anthologies Help Authors by Dawn Ius
- Up Close: Bev Vincent by April Snellings
- Up Close: Sandra Brown by Dawn Ius
- Up Close: Lisa Black by R. G. Belsky
- Up Close: Wendy Corsi Staub by Dawn Ius
- Debut Focus: Catherine Riggs by Robert Dugoni
- Neil Nyren Spotlight: Howard Michael Gould
- Africa Scene: Jeff Dawson by Michael Sears
Discover Tomorrow’s Hottest Thriller Authors Today on Inside Thrill Radio!
Inside Thrill Radio airs monthly, as host Jenny Milchman takes listeners deep behind the scenes to hear about brand new thrillers and how they came to be.
“Win, Lose, or Draw” is available starting April 19th: Three authors, who between them have racked up Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, Shamus, and Lefty award nominations, talk about their new thrillers! Will they win, lose, or draw at this year’s award ceremonies? Hear about their books and judge for yourself. Featuring guests Matt Coyle, Nadine Nettmann, and Lili Wright.
