G is for Gore

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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The line between horror and thriller is somewhat skewed in my opinion.

While I recognize there does not need to be guts and gore in thriller books, I don't mind a little bloodshed in my literature. I just prefer it isn't gratuitous. Few books straddle this precarious line well.

Afraid, by Jack Kilborn does. Five psychopathic murderers trained to be part of a classified government-sanctioned special unit. Five Hannibal Lecters with Rambo training. Oh, there's bloodshed. Plenty of gore.

But it's so well done, it doesn't feel over the top. It's REALLY well done.

I love a good horror tale and day of the week, but the ones that stick with me have a little brains behind the brawn. I prefer Saw to Hostel, for instance.

How about you? Where do you sit on the gore scale? Like your books with a little more blood, or do you prefer to be Afraid? 

- Dawn

P.S. It's muse avatar Monday and I choose Adam Garcia for my "G" muse. You may recognize him from Coyote Ugly. Yeah, me too. And that's about it. My latest thriller has a character with an accent - I loved Adam's in Coyote Ugly. Seems as good a reason as any to make him my muse this week.

RESOLUTION 2013 STATS

Total words last week: 0 (OUCH! Gonna have to haul ass this week...) 
Total words to date for 2013: 68,239

Total pounds lost for week: 0 (8 days sick and I haven't been working out or eating much...gonna have to haul ass this week...)
Total pounds lost to date for 2013: 26

Books read last week: 1 (yay! Scarlet by Melissa Meyer. SO GOOD!)
Total books read to date for 2013: 7

Movies watched last week: 0
Movies watched to date in 2013: 4

F is for The Following

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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I'm addicted to a *few* high stakes, high drama shows on TV right now - Walking Dead, Hannibal, Game of Thrones, Homeland, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad and probably my favourite series right now, The Following. 

Never mind the kick ass cast (hello Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy, I love you), but I'm really enjoying the fact that FOX is taking a bit of a risk and upping the thriller component on a regular cable show. It takes a lot for me to get creeped out, but the uber charming, kind of sexy and brilliant serial killer (and cult leader) Joe Caroll (played by Purefoy) repeatedly gives me the heebie jeebies.

The show has been compared to 24 - and if you've followed my blog long enough, you'll know I'm not only a MASSIVE 24 fan (I own all seven seasons), but also think Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer was unbeatable (and hot!) 24 had *sniff* cliffhanger episode endings, random and shocking deaths, and some fabulous plot twists. While The Following lacks a bit of the same action, Kevin Bacon is an impressive tortured hero, the storyline is compelling, and most of the characters are engaging.

It was while watching the first season of 24 (years after everyone else was on the bandwagon) that I made my first difficult decision for my thriller ABSOLUTION - I killed off a character I loved and knew the reader would be shocked to see die. It turned out to be the best decision possible.

There is much to be learned about writing books from watching TV. If you're writing thriller, you might want to take a look at The Following.

Are you watching The Following? Discuss!

- Dawn

E is for Espionage

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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Did you know that The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum is credited for being the first thriller written in the style we know today? 

I loved that book - and pretty much every book in the Bourne series, not to mention Matt Damon in the movies. Action, romance, espionage. How can you go wrong? 

By simple definition, spy fiction is a genre that focusses on spy-like activities, and general tales of espionage. Of course, the genre has been around a lot longer than The Bourne Identity - it's actually one of the most popular sub genres of thriller, with the Bond character making almost everyone's "top spy" lists. 

There's something interesting about espionage. People like to know secrets - especially those unable to keep them.

I confess, when I was younger, I wanted to be a spy. Didn't you? I used to be relatively good at keeping secrets. I'm fascinated by people who work at organizations like the CIA - in real life and in fiction. I love reading real stories about espionage. But for some reason this is not a genre I've attempted...yet.

That said, I'm addicted to the TV show Homeland, and I see at least a short story about espionage in my very near future.

So - got a favorite Bond? I love Sean Connery. Yes, even over Daniel Craig.

- Dawn

D is for Death

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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When I first started writing, I thought you could tell how "thrilling" a story was based on the number of dead people at the end. 

But, after reading a number of thrillers by a few of my favorite authors, I began to realize it's not the number of deaths I should be worried about, but rather, the way the deaths occur. In fact, some of the best "thriller" books I've read have nary a murder. Killing a character isn't the only way to make a reader's pulse race or give them a thrill.  

The death count in my first book, ABSOLUTION is quite low - but they matter, including the live burial in the opening scene. I still remember writing those words, questioning how, having never killed anyone (obviously!) I'd be able to fake authenticity. The scene didn't come easy and required considerable research into things that I erased from my Google history almost immediately.

I've since killed off a dozen or more characters, and I'm still unnerved when I sit down to write the words. But I'd by lying if I didn't admit to loving the research a little. There are some fascinating ways to die...

What are the more difficult scenes for you to write? Not a writer? What's your favorite thriller - and is the death count high?

- Dawn

C is for Cliffhanger

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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I have a love/hate relationships with cliffhangers.

I understand their function, particularly in the thriller genre, and I'm relatively good at them. But, so often, the desire/need to craft that perfect cliffhanger turns into an overwhelming amount of pressure. The ability to end a sentence, paragraph, a chapter in such a way that will demand the reader turn the page. It's tough!

Some thriller authors - like James Patterson and Steve Martini - have this fictional ploy down to a science. 

In simple terms, a cliffhanger is a climax split in two - the main character gets shot, and the chapter ends. It is the question that hovers in the dark space between pages, or the maddening "to be continued"  at the end of your favorite TV show. 

Love or hate them, they are a necessary evil. For a society that struggles to maintain consumer attention, cliffhangers offer a bridge to your audience, a reason for them to turn the page, to buy your next book, to perch on the edge of their seat and suspend disbelief. For you.

No easy task, my friends.

What are some great examples of cliffhangers that made you come back for more?

- Dawn

B is for Berry, and Braver

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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I couldn't possibly write a "B" blog post about the thriller industry without including the two thriller authors who have mentored me over the past few years - Gary Braver and Steve Berry.

Yeah, I know I mentioned them in my A post, but it's not a cheat to mention them again. Not when each has been so instrumental in driving my career forward. If not for Gary, and his incredible patience, encouragement and sheer talent, I may not have continued striving for a career in writing. 

And, over the past couple of years, Steve's firm craft lessons have taught me how to write tight and write well - his succinct, but always bang on, advice has made me a better writer. 

If you've never heard of Gary Braver before, look him up now. Right now. In some ways, he's one of the most under appreciated thriller writers in the industry. Gary writes medical thrillers that make me squirm. His premises are brilliant - and frightening - and the execution of his words is, frankly, mind boggling. 

The first book I read of Gary's was GRAY MATTER, and while there have been some thrilling books before and after this one, it remains my favorite. With just the right blend of science and fiction, Gray Matter is creeptastic! Medical thrillers have never been my genre of choice - Gary makes me question that, though. He's amazing!

And Steve. A multi New York Times Bestselling author, blending history was seat-of-your-pants thrilling action. Dialogue that drives the plot forward. Characters that leap from the page. Tight, tight writing that propels each and every story forward. There's a reason Steve Berry is one of the industry's top selling authors. And yet, he remains such a humble man. I adore him. Steve's road to publishing hasn't been easy, but he's making the most of it now. What an inspiration!

Looking for a great Steve Berry book? I've read (and loved) them all - but The Charlemagne Pursuit may still be my favorite.

Who are your mentors and how have they helped you get to where you are today?

- Dawn

PS - I would be remiss not to mention Sandra Brown in the B category. While Steve and Gary have mentored me, I have always aspired to be like Sandra Brown. One of my favorite writers ever - and a master of the thriller genre. 

A is for Absolution...and Arlee...and Adam

Last year was my first crack at the A-Z Blogging Challenge, a blogging phenomenon created by the amazing Arlee Bird. The object is to blog every day of the month of April (except Sundays), and to increase the challenge, to blog thematically from A to Z. No sweat, right? Last year, I blogged about music with Jessica Bell. This year, I'm heading back to my roots and blogging about all things thriller. Join me?

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The first real book I ever wrote was called ABSOLUTION. I say real, because before it, there were a couple of feeble attempts - a middle grade titled JACK OF HEARTS, a really bad romance called CARNIVAL DREAMS, and a book of horrible poetry that never quite made it to my parent's coffee table. It's okay, I understand. 

Here's the premise for ABSOLUTION:

CAIT WILLIS expects weird, especially as a reporter for Skeptic Magazine, but when her newest assignment to debunk one of the world's most sacred Christian rituals turns deadly, she uncovers a conspiracy tracing from Hollywood's elite to the runways of Milan, where she must nail a killer before he commits the ultimate sin.

ABSOLUTION has since been re-named BLOOD OF THE FALLEN and you can read an excerpt of it here. Don't get too attached though - the book is going through a major overhaul following some advice from my mentors.

My "career" as a thriller writer has been blessed. Several years ago, I attended my first Maui Writer's Conference and was placed in a class with the incredibly talented Gary Braver. To this day, I don't know that I would have pursued a career in writing without Gary's encouragement, enthusiasm, and absolute belief in me. 

Subsequent conferences led me to other amazing mentors, like Steve Berry and James Rollins. Both have given me invaluable advice not only for this book, but also writing thriller. 

Having met the deadline (whoop!) for two of my other (non-thriller) writing projects, I'm excited to get back to Cait's world.

Providing I make it through this year's A-Z Blogging Challenge. To help me, is this week's muse avatar, Adam Levine. A perfect A muse, no?

Doing the challenge? Comment with your link and I'll come check it out! Happy blogging...and happy first day of April.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Scarlet, Melissa Meyer

P.S. - It's Monday, so I also have to do my weekly resolution stats. Factoring in being super super sick, not too shabby!

2013 Resolutions Stats

Total words last week: 10,477 
Total words to date for 2013: 68,239

Total pounds lost for week: 0 (Damn Easter Eggs)
Total pounds lost to date for 2013: 26

Books read last week: 0 (this is horrible! But deadlines were met. That deserves a reward.)
Total books read to date for 2013: 6

Movies watched last week: 0
Movies watched to date in 2013: 4