Explore the World's Best Ideas
Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.
I often work for years on a story, inventing, outlining, mapping, constructing, before I feel that I'm ready to write it down
ORSON SCOTT CARD
62
398 reads
Characters Drive Thrillers
- In thriller fiction, characters must be believable yet extraordinary to engage readers.
- The stakes should be high, with well-defined motives that create tension and drive the plot forward.
65
323 reads
Raising the Emotional Stakes
- Thrillers thrive on heightened emotions—jeopardy, sacrifice, and fear.
- Building suspense requires placing characters in situations where they risk significant loss or danger.
65
307 reads
Point of View for Maximum Impact
- Choosing the right viewpoint (first-person or third-person limited) can enhance the immediacy of a thriller.
- Card emphasizes consistency in perspective to maintain reader immersion and build tension.
62
266 reads
Character Flaws Create Suspense
- Flawed characters increase tension as their personal struggles complicate the external conflict.
- Readers are drawn to protagonists who must overcome both internal and external obstacles.
67
237 reads
Action vs. Reflection Balance
- While action drives a thriller, moments of reflection deepen character development and suspense.
- Card suggests alternating fast-paced scenes with introspection to maintain reader engagement.
64
207 reads
Unpredictability Keeps Readers Hooked
- Twists and turns are essential in thriller fiction to keep readers guessing.
- Card advises against clichéd resolutions, encouraging writers to surprise readers without losing plausibility
65
211 reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
CURATOR'S NOTE
Orson Scott Card’s Characters & Viewpoint offers essential guidance for crafting compelling characters and selecting effective narrative perspectives. Emphasizing character depth, emotional stakes, and viewpoint consistency, the book is crucial for thriller writers aiming to create immersive, high-tension stories. Its practical advice helps writers balance action with introspection for maximum reader engagement
“
Discover Key Ideas from Books on Similar Topics
8 ideas
Buy Yourself the Damn Flowers
Tam Kaur
20 ideas
HBR Guide to Critical Thinking
Harvard Business Review
15 ideas
Dopamine Detox
Thibaut Meurisse
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates