In an article for Writer’s Digest, writer Leah Konen offers five pieces of advice for writing a domestic thriller – suspenseful stories that drop ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances, often driven by events from the characters’ pasts. When Konen writes, she tries to keep these elements in mind:
- A setting with a creep factor. You don’t need a haunted house, but your setting should be mysterious and spooky. “It might be the creaking sound of wooden beams settling in an old attic, the roadkill smell of rot on a country road, or the eeriness of traversing a neighborhood where every single home looks exactly the same,” Konen says. “No matter where you choose to set your domestic thriller, make sure to include details in every scene that evoke a certain eerie je ne sais quoi.”
- A small cast. “Unlike action-packed political or legal thrillers, a domestic thriller can truly focus on the nuances of what happens behind closed doors among a few people, be they romantic partners, family members, or close friends,” Konen writes. “I love a tight, close-knit setting, which offers plenty of opportunity to unpack each character’s unique motivations, drives, and, of course, secrets.”
- Surprises. “My rule of thumb is if a twist, reveal, or answer to a mystery is the first thing that came to your head, there’s a good chance it’s the first thing that will come to your reader’s head as well,” Konen adds. “Through writing and rewriting, find opportunities to surprise yourself and change up some plot points you thought were set in stone.”
- Strong relationships. A key element of the domestic thriller is the link between characters. “The most important part is that you create a web of characters who both fight for (and fight with) each other, and whose decisions dramatically affect each other’s,” Konen explains. “I believe a perfect twist doesn’t just affect the outcome of one of your characters, but through a well-crafted patchwork of relationships, has repercussions for every key character in your book.”
- A great ending. A thriller needs a great ending, including surprises that occur after your denoument. “While your biggest reveal will usually arrive at the climax, there’s no reason not to keep a few cards up your sleeve to slowly reveal with each chapter of your denouement,” Konen says.
