In about a month from now, “It Can’t Be You” my debut novel, a psychological thriller, will complete two years of publication. I am glad to see that it continues to feature in the Suspense & Thrillers list in Flipkart. Right now, it is ranked 510 out of 46,966 titles listed under this category. Continue reading “Suspense & Thrillers List on Flipkart”
Tag: thrillers
Man, it was a struggle. At times I did feel I was attempting something beyond my capabilities but I did it! I made my very first book trailer video. So here we go. Presenting to you, ladies and gentlemen, “Lucky For Some, 13.” Here it is on YouTube. “Lucky For Some, 13” my second thriller is in the process of being published by Mahaveer Publishers. I am proud to add that this book comes out of my successful completion of NaNoWriMo in November 2010.
Continue reading “Book Trailer Video for “Lucky For Some, 13.””
““The way to write a thriller is to ask a question at the beginning, and answer it at the end.” This quote is attributed to the well-known writer of thrillers Lee Child, in this article in Writers Digest. Continue reading “My 5 Rules for Writing Thrillers”
My aim is to consolidate as much as I can about my books, published and to be published, in one place. Many readers, especially the newer ones may not have seen the reviews for my debut novel “It Can’t Be You”, a psychological thriller. I am putting together some links for your convenience. You can read the reviews at leisure.
Suspense/Thriller Writers is a group on Facebook which I visit quite frequently. It has interesting posts and interesting people, most of them keen on making a name in this genre of writing. Pat Bertram provoked thought with a recent post, as she does from time to time so effectively.
She said we know the Big Five C’s in writing, which are:-
- Character
- Conflict
- Change
- Contrast (contrast in settings, between characters, in dialogue)
- Caring (what the character cares for, and making the reader care for the character)
We were asked to add to the list of “Cs” which make effective writing. My instinctive reaction was to add “C for Credibility”. This was top most on my mind for two reasons. The first is that I just finished a novel by a major best-selling author, who shall remain unnamed for the present. The book got off to a great start but left me disappointed at the end. I didn’t find it gripping enough. On reflection, I realized that what the protagonist was doing was totally incredible. He was superman personified and this was a huge let down for me. Have you felt the same any time?
The second reason and perhaps what strikes me even more is that as a writer myself, I am very conscious of making both my plots and my characters very credible. People should relate easily to them and feel the story is believable. If the plot or the characters are outlandish by far they will be disappointed. You want them to think of the characters as people they have known, seen or heard about.
To me, therefore, credibility is a hallmark of a good writer. To be successful, within the norms expected of the genre you write in, your plot and characters have to be credible.
I first read “The Day of the Jackal” by Frederick Forsyth in the early ’70s and he soon became one of my favourite authors. I vividly remember the book ( and the subsequent movie) even to this day, decades later. Such was the appeal of the story. In my view, it is one the best thrillers ever written. I was amazed to read that he wrote it in just 35 days! If you haven’t read it yet, grab a copy! You will not regret your decision.
When I described myself as a thriller writer, I was once asked what drew me to this genre. What was it about thrillers that fascinated me so much? This was indeed food for thought. On reflection, here are the 3 reasons why I write thrillers:- Continue reading “3 Reasons Why I Write Thrillers”
It’s been signed, sealed and delivered, as they say! I completed NaNoWriMo 2011 for which I wrote 54, 919 words in November for my thriller “ Let The Dead Stay Dead.” I have been a great fan of NaNoWriMo ever since I did it for the first time in 2009. Continue reading “NaNoWriMo 2011”
I am thrilled! I have been declared a winner in NaNoWriMo 2011 for the 54, 919 words written during the calendar month of November for my thriller “Let The Dead Stay Dead”.
Continue reading ““Let The Dead Stay Dead” for NaNoWriMo 2011″
What do authors do? Apart from writing, of course? Do they espouse causes? Do they have time for their non-literary interests? These questions came to me mind recently. By sheer co-incidence, I chanced upon this article in the Wall Street Journal about author, Steve Berry. Continue reading “Great work, Steve Berry”
Prem Rao : Stories from a Story Teller 