Behind The Mask

XI. Romantic Thriller

╔═════ ▓▓ ࿇ ▓▓ ═════╗
Romantic Thriller
╚═════ ▓▓ ࿇ ▓▓ ═════╝

What is a Romantic Thriller?

• Romantic thriller in terms of genres, is a hybrid genre (a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres).
• The genre works on two levels. First a specific theme exists. Then general relationships, patterns and structural elements are merged with the specific theme. This means that there can be a large variety of visual styles and story structures in romantic thriller.
• This allows for a wide range of production techniques to be used to create a desired effect as well as it being able to appeal to a larger and more varied target audience than a simple Thriller or Romance film would.
• A Romantic Thriller is a good film to contrast because the genres are so different and varied from each other, allowing for an interesting and somewhat uniaue [production.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

6 ways to improve your romantic thriller

1. CHARACTER EMOTION
Write a character your reader will will root for. Expose their vulnerabilities, show what is important to them, and show what makes them tick. Readers want to see a character grow and be challenged. You can write the most action-packed, suspenseful story in the world, but if your characters are perfect and have nothing to improve within themselves, your reader won't be emotionally invested in the story. If your hero is a loner who refuses to rely on anyone, break him down and make him face his worst fear and overcome it by asking for help. In VANISHED, I showed the reader what was important to my main character and then I took it all away: his job, his family, his pride. And then I watched how his character grew and handled it.

2. TICKING CLOCK
Nothing maintains the pace in a thriller like a ticking clock. Give the main characters a deadly deadline, a threat that hangs over their heads the entire story. Have them believe someone will die if they're not found and given their medication in three days. Perhaps the villain has announced that a bomb will go off on a certain date. Have a hostage situation where the bad guy gives a countdown. Put your characters in a survival situation with no food and little water. These elements raise the stakes and keep the reader turning the pages faster and faster.

3. PERSONAL CONNECTION TO CRIME
Give one of the main characters a personal connection to the crime. In HIDDEN, my forensic odontologist finds the skeletal remains of her missing college roommate. In CHILLED, my hero's brother was murdered by the serial killer he's tracking in a snowstorm. In VANISHED, a child relative of Mason's has been kidnapped. This brings a layer of grit and deep emotion to your character, and will make your reader feel personally involved.

4. HOW CAN I MAKE THINGS WORSE?
When I'm stuck, I ask, "What is the worst possible thing that can happen to my character at this moment?" I also refer to a permanent sticky note on my plot board that says: Give them sucky and suckier choices. This ties back to #1. You must know what's important to your characters to truly create a horrible situation to make the reader's stomach churn. In A MERCIFUL SECRET, I destroy something critical to my heroine. I'd spent the first two books of the series developing this vital element. It was heart-wrenching to write and I know my readers will feel the same.

5. THROW IN THE UNEXPECTED
Easier to say than to do. I've found that if I choose my first solution to a problem, it will probably be the first solution in the reader's mind, meaning it's predictable. Make a list of 5-10 solutions to your problem. Write anything that comes to mind no matter how ridiculous. Your brain will surprise you when it has permission to think outside the box. Have your characters zig when the reader expects them to zag. Long lost relatives, avalanches, someone who was believed to be dead, floods, plane crashes, fires, and car accidents. I've done it all.

6. THE ICING: LITTLE EXTRAS THAT ADD UP
Weather: I love to write weather like a character. Rain storms, snowstorms, heat waves. They add an extra layer to the story and can add to the suspense.

Profession of characters: give them a fascinating job and use it to educate your reader. I love to learn as I read. This calls for solid research and interviews. Don't get all your facts from Wikipedia; talk to a real person.

Science: Readers eat this up but have your facts checked and double checked.

Secondary characters: be colorful! Use them to do and say all the things you're uncomfortable having your main characters do.

════════ ××× ════════

Sources of information:
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/sickblog2K7/genre-analysis-31842166

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.writersdigest.com/.amp/write-better-fiction/6-ways-improve-romantic-thriller-novel

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you.