Writing a Thriller
Plan, draft, and write a killer thriller!
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Exclusively available to members of Writers' HQ

Learn how to keep your readers in suspense with best-selling author Sarah J. Naughton

Finish the course with a complete toolkit of thriller techniques and a master plan

Join our super supportive community to support your writing journey

LeARN HOW TO WRITE A KICKASS THRILLER AND DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE BIZ WITH SARAH J. NAUGHTON

ALL THE TIPS AND TECHNIQUES YOU NEED TO CRAFT A TWISTY-TURNY, HIGH-TENSION THRILLER...

Delve into the dark and gritty world of thrillers with the guidance of a best-selling author in this fantastic add-on plotting course, packed full of tips and tricks from someone who really knows her stuff.

Maybe you have an idea for a thriller but aren’t sure where to start. Maybe you’ve already started writing but could do with a lil encouragement and pep along the way. Or maybe you’ve finished a draft and are busy tweaking and editing and in need of some extra guidance. Wherever you are in the process, there’ll be something in this course to help you out

Use the advice and exercises in this course to choreograph a series of plot twists, create a cracking outline, identify the fundamentals of the thriller genre, pick ‘n’ choose the best thrillery elements for your story, and discover the ins and outs of the publishing business.

All with the support and feedback from your fellow WHQers!

 

LESSONS IN THIS COURSE

RABBITS IN CAVES

The big twists and little twists that make a story.

OUTLINES

Creating shape and structure.

3 FUNDAMENTALS

The holy trinity of thrillers and how to use ’em!

PICK N MIX

Making the best of the genre.

THE WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING

Thriller publishing insights.

LET’S DO THE TWIST

Put your brand new thriller skills to the test!

Get full access to Writing a Thriller when you join Writers' HQ today!

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Get stuck in straight away with our specialist library of online courses covering everything from productivity, idea generation, short stories, and novels, to editing and publishing – suitable for writers at any point in their writing journey.

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THE MOST AWESOME, SUPPORTIVE, HILARIOUS, PRODUCTIVE writing COMMUNITY

Whether it’s to help you workshop a story, offer in-depth critique, celebrate a finished story, squee over an acceptance, argue over the finer points of an arcane novel, or pick you up when you’ve had a rejection, the Writers’ HQ community is everything. 

Members get access to special buddy groups and accountability logs, and you’ll often find Team WHQ loitering on the forums instead of doing their own writing.

DOZENS OF LIVE WRITING EVENTS INCLUDING MASTERCLASSES AND WRITE-ALONGS

Hone your craft by getting answers to your writerly questions and exploring your challenges with regular online events, including live Q&As, masterclasses, flash fiction write-alongs, goal setting sessions, and advanced journaling workshops.

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WHQ SUCCESS STORIES
It's a bold statement but I'm pretty sure that without taking this course I would never have got past four chapters of my novel. The tools which I gained allowed me to not only structure my novel in a way that makes sense but to give myself the boundaries within which to really move forward with the book. I've written more in the last four months than I've written in two years and I'm coming to the end of my first draft now which is something I never thought I'd actually say. I've been able to set realistic goals, be disciplined and really see my novel take shape. I would recommend this course to everyone and I couldn't be more grateful for it!
Kezia BarrPlotstormers
Seriously could not have done it without Writers' HQ courses: Plotstormers, Making People and now The First Draft! My dreams are becoming real. Thanks WHQ! 5 STARS!
Gill O'SullivanThe First Draft
It made me thing and it made me laugh - what's not to like? A properly fun and enjoyable course that actually made me want to work harder. Lots of stuff to reflect on, had to go and walk around the garden a few times just to let some of it percolate. And it genuinely, unexpectedly, made me want to write more, better and be published. My gosh it is recommended and some.
Bernie MayallWriting Short Fiction
This course was exactly what I needed to help me bring to life the characters in my novel--they had been feeling a little flat but I didn't know how to fix it. I was excited to do the exercises, thrilled with the new insights I gained. I had several "aha" moments. Highly recommend!
Corinne ClarkMaking People: The Characterisation Masterclass
That's what this course left me with - in a very good way. It goes straight for the writing jugular, which is what a ditherer like me needs. It left me feeling like this: I can run away as far as I can get from anything to do with writing, or I can woman up and get on with it. Running away not being an option, Seven Ideas In Seven Days was like a sergeant-major shouting in my ear "What are you?" and me answering in a humble whisper "I'm a writer, Ma'am." Not for the faint-hearted. Definitely not. If you want to write - or, more accurately, not want to not write, join WHQ.
Jan McCarthySeven Ideas in Seven Days
I loved this course - it beats the pants off other editing courses! I got more out of this course than all of the other ones I've done put together, and I've done lots and have been to some prestigious places that live off their puffery and fame, but what they offer in terms of proper skills and help simply doesn't touch this. Plotstormers II has been enormously enlightening and empowering and deeply generous. Thanks so much, Jo and & Sarah, you ROCK.
Stephanie GerraPlotstormers II: The Editing Strikes Back
Excellent, thorough course! This course is an excellent, thorough run-down of everything you might want to think about when writing and sending your query letter. Written with Writers' HQ's trademark snarky charm, and filled with links to even more information about what agents are looking for and what to do/not do, it's a really enjoyable, detailed look at this topic. Thank you!
Elizabeth OttossonPublishing 101: The Query
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