Want to write a New York Times
Bestseller? Thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels consistently
rank in the top 25 books on the NYT bestseller list. Some of the
biggest authors in the world write dangerous novels—James
Patterson, Agatha Christie, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and John
Grisham to name only a few.
Writing a good book with a dangerous edge has both pros and pitfalls. Julie Rowe, author of the military thriller Biological Response Team series and the thriller Outbreak Task Force series, provides a writing master class of information, insight, writing exercises, and comprehensive feedback on your dangerous novel.
What you will learn:
- The differences between the separate genres and subgenres of thrillers, mystery, and suspense novels
- Understanding what drives your novel, the plot, the characters, or specific events
- How to craft a cast of compelling and conflicted characters
- Where and when to add life-threatening events, attacks, and crimes.
- various outline methods, and finding your unique planning process
- How to nail that all important first page of your novel
***Every lesson
includes questions and/or writing exercises designed to help you
prepare to write (or revise) your dangerous novel.
Who should take this course:
- Beginning writers who aren’t
sure how to start writing a thriller, mystery, or suspense
- Intermediate writers who want to
tackle more intricate plotlines and characters
- Experienced writers who want to
step outside their comfort zone in a difference genre and/or plan an
entire series
Course overview
Lesson one: Basic elements of a
dangerous novel
- What makes them different from
other genres
- The major genres of dangerous
novels
- Examples from books and movies
- Choosing the type of dangerous
novel(s) you want to write
Lesson two: Finding your focus
- Narrowing down your subgenre of
dangerous novel to give you a solid base on which to build your
novel
- Examples from books and movies
- Choosing your unique elements of
danger, mystery, and suspense
Lesson three: Who’s driving this
run-away train?
- Plot driven, character driven or
event driven – Options for how you develop your novel
- Examples from books and movies
- Choose the driver of your story
Lesson four: Character archetypes –
the good, the bad, and the ugly and why you need all three.
- Create a list of the major
characters you need in your novel or series, and understand why you
need them
- Shedding light on the wider cast
of dangerous characters, including overlooked and underutilized
minor characters
- Examples from books and movies
- Character development exercises
- Create character profiles for your
entire cast
Lesson five: How did we get here? Using setting to its fullest.
- Determining how important setting
is to your story
- Does your setting match the other
elements of your story?
- Real versus imaginary places (pros
and cons)
- Examples from books and movies
Lesson six: Wars, disasters and other bad luck – using traumatic events to supercharge the thrill.
- Designing the right traumatic
event for your story
- Ensuring the event accomplishes
multiple goals
- Examples from books and movies
Lesson seven: Research – how real
does your novel need to be?
- Real versus believable
- World building (even realistic
stories need it)
- Recommended sources
Lesson eight: Writing an outline that
works…for you.
- Review 12 popular outlining
techniques
- Decide on YOUR outline method
- Send your outline to Julie for
feedback
Lesson nine: Sing loud and proud –
turning up the volume on your writing voice.
- Discuss the elements of a writer’s
voice
- Writing exercises designed to help
you find your voice
- Examples from books and movies
- Feedback from Julie on your voice
with recommended workshops, books, and podcasts for further
development
Lesson ten: Writing that first page –
where to start your story.
- Different opening scene tactics
- Examples from well-known books and
movies
- Send your first three pages to
Julie for feedback!
Teacher
Julie Rowe’s first
career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North
West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides.
She is the author of the Biological Response Team series, The Outbreak Task Force series, and the Trapped with Him series. You can find out more about her books at her website www.julieroweauthor.com, on Twitter @julieroweauthor, or at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JulieRoweAuthor.
Schedule
Reviews
Absolutely a MUST TAKE class!
August 11, 2020
Julie’s teaching technique is informative and applicable. She doesn’t use a cookie-cutter process. Julie spends the time to learn about each of her students and gives each person individualized help. I took away more ideas and tools than any other class I’ve attended in a long while. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Julie. You are incredible!
Joanne Jaytanie
Exactly what I needed
July 30, 2020
I am so glad I found this course. I had done some preliminary work on a thriller but was having trouble finding the 'heart' of my story and consequently, everything I tried fell short. Along comes Julie with her way of making you look at your story, characters, etc., from a different angle. Take this course! No matter your genre, your writing will improve.
Beverly Turner
This class should come with a warning label!
June 1, 2020
CAUTION! Only for authors who want to amp up their dreary and dull novel to a red-hot-heart-thumping-thriller! Julie Rowe helps you delve deep into your novel. LOVED it!
Dee Armstrong
No Matter the Genre, Take This Class
May 11, 2020
Julie's style of teaching is exactly what I needed in this class. Rather than writing 500 words and having your work topographically examined, Julie makes you dig deep into your story. What are you writing? Why are you writing it? What message are you trying to get across to the reader? Every novel needs suspense. Julie helps you dig it out from within your own words. No matter your genre, you need to take this class!
Robin Olson
I loved this class!
May 4, 2020
I had nearly decided not to take anymore classes because my last two experiences had been less than stellar. In both classes, the teacher had us pair up and then our partner critiqued the assignment before we sent it in to the instructor. That's great if you have a good partner. I didn't so I didn't get reviewed. In Julie's class we sent the assignments to her. She then sent us back good, positive as well as corrective feedback. I learned so much. I was especially impressed when she took the time to read my ten pages (5500 words) and give me constructive criticism that has really helped improve the book. I would recommend Julie's classes to everyone.
Kristine Frost
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