Plot A Thriller Backwards! | How To Plot A Thriller

[@Agentmg17]

Thriller seems so hard to write. Very intimidating. Thank you for the encouragement and help.

[@Lil_Smo]

personal time stamps 1:53 Tip 1: The Motive 4:30 The Red Herrings 7:00 Third Act Set Pieces ( ohhhh that's cool) 8:00 Killer and Victim 9:40 Secrets 10:40 The Authors Dance 11:00 Killer 12:25 Killer Options 12:53 The Protaganist / Investigator ( jeez it really is backwards) 14:59 Options : The Outsider 16:32 Options : The Socialite 17:09 Settings - and the importance 19:30 Setting Caveat - Law Enforcement 22:05 Writing Act 1 : The Tragedy 23:20 Break into Two

[@NixLaLoupe]

How fun would it be to have a thriller where the pov is someone that wanted to kill the victim and they're annoyed enough to want to know who beat them to the punch? Lol

[@perstephanies]

Oh, that would be a great twist!!!!! Then they want revenge on the jerk who killed their plan!!

[@leech1355]

ulvenNixie And they could have loads of insight for the case because they were planning the murder themselves for so long. Hmm you’re onto something there!

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

This is a phenomenal idea. Honestly though, I'd love to see a twist at the end that once they've figured it all out they themselves get arrested for the murder. But since they have the motive, their prints were found at the scene, and possibly even caught holding the murder weapon when they find where the killer stashed it; they're found guilty.

[@qine6559]

Yes! Sounds superfun to read

[@phoney2627]

Write a book and call me when you publish it

[@desireemclaughlin1455]

This is all really interesting. 😁 But can we talk about your eyeshadow for just a second? So pretty!

[@AlexaDonne]

Thank you! It's a mix of Colourpop and Urban Decay shades :)

[@cykedout]

it's BEAUTIFUL

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

Another great one Alexa! We plot thrillers similarly and yet I’ve never really broke it down that way. This is definitely a good resource for new thriller writers ☺️

[@Salsuntv]

Good stuff. I used this approach with a screenplay I wrote and it won a competition. I’m currently using this method for a YA thriller as well. Definitely is effective 💯

[@b.t.3406]

Alexa's upcoming thriller is more my cup of tea than sci-fi. I can feel the scares already.

[@BrekkeEl]

2 adult thrillers?!? YEAS QUEEN! So excited for you! In so interested in this - my spouse and I want to co-write an adult thriller and we’re developing the MC and the motive/twist. This is definitely great insight for us :)

[@anishalanghorn2573]

Im so glad to see you running with writing more thrillers

[@Rise876]

Thrillers aren't always detective thrillers though. What about action thrillers, espionage thrillers, psychological thrillers etc

[@AlexaDonne]

I did disclaim in the video that I was focusing on one specific subgenre, ie: murder thrillers. But, they all will have an "investigator character"--not literally. It's the main character who thrusts the plot forward, for whatever reason you have. Someone is after them, they have to save themselves, justice... it's just the character who drives the plot, so that advice is evergreen. They all should have a twist, an antaongist, and that antagonist will have a motive. Universal stuff. I would need other analytical videos to cover other structures (and spoil some books to talk about it, probably), but this one is lowest common denominator, which is murder books. YMMV.

[@Rise876]

@@AlexaDonne Thanks, that does help. I appreciate the reply!

[@AlexaDonne]

@@Rise876 NP! I know I should do other videos though. For psychological suspense especially the structure is different!

[@belletoro3100]

Alexa Donne ooooooo I’d love a psych thriller plot video!!!!!!!!!

[@binkao2938]

Please do a video on how to plot psychological thrillers 😊

[@sophiesbucher8021]

When I first saw one of your videos, I wanted to throw all of writing in a corner and never write down an idea again. Now I know enough about writing and myself in sort, so that I get your advices and how to work with them. So thank your for kicking my ass to work on myself!

[@VincentBones44]

I just found your channel after devouring this type of content from other authors. All I can say is wow, your presentation and content both blow away any other author how-to videos I’ve seen. Thanks so much for making this available.

[@RachelBatemanBooks]

I love this. It’s so much like how I’ve been plotting my own thriller. It’s nice to see someone else on the same page. 😆

[@zubayrcharles9914]

Sending you love and respect all from South Africa 🇿🇦. I am working on my next play and this is truly going to help me to propel the storyline!

[@marktwain368]

Remarkably thorough analysis of how to get your story plotted in a comprehensive and quite detailed manner. Lots and lots of great insights and ideas from this lady!

[@vbendau]

Thank you! I'm a dedicated outliner; would love to write a thriller and it makes complete sense to plot backwards. This is the best material I've found so far on how to do a whodunit. During my edit/revision process, no matter which genre I'm writing, I work backwards through the manuscript to make sure everything fits.

[@dylanwickersham5610]

I'm using this approach for my YA fantasy right now, and it's been really helpful. I've always wanted to try my hand at writing a thriller, so maybe now that I have a more thorough breakdown I'll give it a go.

[@Pinkstarclan]

a lot of advice videos for mysteries/thrillers is about revealing clues, which while important does leave a lot of niches unfilled. after a while going thru clue-reveal videos, I finally found this one that gives good advice on what I *actually* needed help with! thanks!

[@jacendress7190]

How gorgeous are you, sharing all your knowledge with us all. I hope you know how much we all appreciated you advice and help. Thank you so very much.

[@jojosworld8957]

Because of this series of videos, I came up with a loose plot for a thriller. I never wanted to write one. I barely read them, but it all came together. Now, I'm putting together a thriller! Thank you for everything.

[@taylortalkstales8106]

Awesome video! I'm currently working on a thriller and there were some great tips in here. Also, The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring is a perfect example of how a bad plot twist and terrible ending of a thriller can absolutely destroy the rest of the book. Just finished reading it as part of my thriller binge and I swear I just wanted to set it on fire and throw it off a cliff because it was that bad.

[@HolyWhiteAngel0798]

Hi! I haven't read that yet. Could you please give the spoiler though?

[@purpleghost106]

Yay! Now I'm curious to hear your take on how these elements do (or don't?) also exist other types of Thrillers-- specifically Thrillers without a concrete reason for the 'investigator' to investigate, no visible dead-body, but they get embroiled in a very tense dangerous situation. I think those are under the umbrella of psychological thrillers since they tend to be very character driven (and I love them, they reel me all the way in)

[@sharonefee1426]

Sounds interesting. I want to try it. I wrote a Sherlock Holmes' fanfic (no love story, fot a change). It was... fine, I think

[@sineadthomas2024]

I usually just think “how do I want this crime to have taken place?” Do I want the suspect to be the person who’s obviously the red herring (this one is very common in long running series)? Do I want the murder to be faked by the victim to frame someone else (this one is actually really good, I might use it)? Do I want the murder weapon to be pushing them onto a busy street, and letting some random driver take the blame? I’d give more examples, but I want to use them.

[@elishia2526]

This is awesome! I watched this video and wrote down 1. tons of notes and 2. tons of ideas for my YA thriller! I CANNOT wait for The Ivies :)

[@belletoro3100]

Annon. agented thriller author here and this is how I plot! Great video!

[@janekalmes]

Great video! I think starting with the end/twist is a great strategy, and not just for thrillers!

[@AlexaDonne]

Yes! I think it could work well for lots of genres. Now that I use this method for thrillers I will probably go back to the fantasy I was working on and use it on that--I got stuck on act 2, and I'm hoping working backwards from act 3 climax might help me!

[@sharonefee1426]

Yeah, if you don't up changing it a few tmes ahmMEahm. Not a thriller really, but still

[@camille3531]

Kinda unrelated but I LOVED the Ivies! I’m so surprised you have a KZbin channel! Props to you for such an amazing book

[@dreamplanwrite]

Yes, it's our queen! You're so amazing and well-spoken, you might need your own podcast lol! ♥️ Love your videos.

[@Gbutler777]

This is gold, Alexa!

[@giamarajalove6820]

This was immensely helpful. I've written across different genres but have never attempted a long-form thriller, so this was all fresh inspiration for me. Mahalo for sharing!

[@riseoftourniquet]

What helpful advice! I accidentally wrote mine backwards, and currently sending it to literary agents and would enjoy hearing your tips about how you were able to connect with your publisher if you like. Thank you, and with love in Christ, have a blessed day!

[@nathanterry8558]

You lucked out with your plot coinciding with the current college admissions scandal. Unless that was the spark that lit the flame. 😀 Thank you for the excellent video! So much great information. You’ve got my subscription for sure!

[@irmavandenpoel5566]

Thank you for this! I'll be using your tips to plan out my murder mystery graphic novel.

[@sherrylalonde5719]

Excellent video! I look forward to seeing more about plotting thrillers. I'm especially interested in the placement of clues and red herrings, I'm finding it very tricky. How many is enough? How strong should they be? I worry that they're glaringly obvious. Great stuff!

[@tate5214]

Oh my gosh Thank you for this video I'm now writing a great book. It's more scary then gorry but it is still very gorry. (I loved the motive part)

[@naomistarlight6178]

It sounds like this is about writing a murder mystery, not a thriller. But as such it's not bad advice. "How to Write a Damn Good Thriller" by James N. Frey is a good resource for this kind of thing. Explains how a murder mystery = the protagonist's goal is to find a killer. Whereas in a thriller, the protagonist's goal is to overcome impossible odds and thwart a great evil, whether that involves finding a murderer or something else, like a spy novel about foiling a communist plot.

[@npc6817]

got any tips for paranormal thriller? I'm writing a campaign where my players investigate and deal with spirits that have cursed people around them or themselves and the thing is, figuring out what spirit they're dealing with is just the beginning. the main mystery is usuallly to find why and how the spirit chose its target and what can be done to break the curse, but I'm having a hard time structuring everything in a way that they can discover at their own pace.

[@Ghost-np2ey]

Thanks for this, I'm trying to write a story for a CoC campaign and this is really helpful for writing

[@isabelsterling8878]

Wonderful video, Alexa! Very helpful!

[@Alexandretta]

The novel I'm currently working on isn't exactly a thriller, but it does involve a series of murders. I'm working on the second draft, after I, uh, "discovery wrote" the first draft for NaNo a few years ago. Just in the course of watching this video, I had three new ideas/insights for it. It might actually make sense when I'm done with it! Thanks!

[@reeselove6408]

Smart I used to read books backwards as a child! Thanks for sharing

[@shelleyschenk6297]

You’re awesome. Thx for the lowdown

[@mikaoh4617]

Awesome. I'm not a mystery/thriller kind of girl but ... wow this is great insight. :)

[@gregorycochrane725]

This unlocked so many parts of my brain. Thank you.

[@thenumbertwo9136]

Im a 15 year old writer, and Alexa is like,, my writing mom. She has that 'hi kiddo, wanna learn how to write murder? I support you!' energy. Every time I finish something I just hear her saying "you're doing great sweetie!!" Or something in my head lol I love her so much

[@cassiemerson7789]

This video along with the thriller beats one are fantastic - so helpful! Thank you 😊

[@JessicaRH6]

You're video is great, so helpful! But i mostly just want to comment on how lovely your makeup is.

[@moonyloops]

2 ADULT THRILLERS AND ANOTHER YA THRILLER! *heads to rooftop to scream from happiness* btw I really really want to read The Stars We Steal. I read Brightly Burning this past month and I LOVE IT!

[@fabuladebeaumarche]

So helpful, thanks!

[@seen921]

Nice deconstruction. Thanks for this perspective

[@AnnHarrisonAuthor]

You helped me figure out who my real killer is and her motive. Thanks Alexa.

[@CurriedBat]

I think I have a horror thriller that will be pretty sweet... though the ending is a tad bit... not clunky, but convenient rather. It's hard to really call it a thriller; it does have murder, it does have mystery, kind of like that 'creepy' thing you mentioned. I recently changed it so there is a new victim once we are caught up into the present, and then the ending plot system reveals itself. I feel like it will have action scenes, so it will be thrilling, the mystery is super cool and creepy... so once we realize that fact at the end of Part 2, I worry that the rest of the story will fall flat. I guess I'll have to find the hard way.

[@seleciaa]

Do you plan to do writing vlogs for your other thrillers? I really enjoy watching them :)

[@AlexaDonne]

Once I start seriously writing it yes! I didn't really end up working on it so all my reading/writing vlogs turned into just reading vlogs haha. So the only vlog where I talk about the new thriller is my August reading vlog, which is the one where I went on a writing retreat.

[@zephemerality]

This has been very helpful and inspiring for me as I plot my own mystery narrative. Thank you! Any tips for writing a thriller where there isn't a pivotal murder to base your third act around?

[@potatothecat6647]

THIS IS AMAZING!! Thank you so much for the advice!

[@moonpetrie]

So tantalizing... I write portal fantasy, but my shiny new idea has a very thriller-y setup, and now I want to work on it! But I’m trying so hard to stay focused on revising other things first.

[@ThreeMinuteHistory]

This video caught me with its title

[@FuraFaolox]

I'm writing a thriller that takes place in Victorian England. It's in the perspective of the murderer, and the plot is him trying to not get caught.

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

Decades ago I read a thriller (not my usual read) and I wish I could remember the name, to where by the end of the novel you were also happy the victim was dead. At first you despise every single suspect and none of them have any remorse. But you learned that he was an abusive bastard and, by the finsl chapter, the author had you empathising with every single potential killer. I personally couldn't finish the book... Why? Honestly, I didn't want any of these people I empathized with to face criminal charges.

[@kanzleribrahim6596]

whats the name of the book?

[@HipDanni]

yes, great video!! thank you! definitely watching thriller beats video

[@James_Duncan]

You my new friend, are a genius! ❤️

[@douglasschlesser320]

Alexa - Thanks so much for this! I'd love to read and review The Ivies!

[@o.ckidd2168]

Great video!!! My book is going to be bomb🔥🔥🔥

[@Prene16]

This helped a lot! Great video!

[@larsio72]

Thank you for these great tips!

[@ZombieJohn]

Great stuff-as always!

[@claireneely9199]

This is so helpful, thank you.

[@Cris-de7od]

This is so helpful! Thank you 💖

[@picoplays4743]

...this is kinda genius.

[@animatorireenie8319]

Thanks a lot for this video, it helped me a lot!

[@binkao2938]

So I know certain tropes I want to incorporate to drive the plot, but really feel like I have no imagination and can’t come up with actual specifics. My mind draws a complete blank. It’s terrible. How does one overcome this?

[@legome7450]

You do have great advice; I thought of planning it backwards many times before but I never thought of how to do it. However if you'd like a touch of advice from me (I'm not saying I know better maybe you already know this) - I think maybe you are standardising too much. Just the use of words like "that type of person" - there is no such thing as a type of person - or "the main character is always..." - the main character is always different and a product of the author and people he or she knows, not a product of other characters the author read in other books. Just saying, there should never be "types of characters" just like there aren't "types of people".

[@Joy-eo6ep]

If you know math, thriller and mystery will be easy to write. In math we slove from the end many times and that seems to open a new way of thinking for us. Imagine the worst case scenario's result, like the most messed up charecter (antagonist) and think of everything they would have done and did, then leave that shit alone and write a scary, right-in-movement first chapter and start giving clues and hints based on the charecter. As you go in for a chapter or two, figure out the whole answer to the main question of the story and there you go, perfect plot for thriller

[@kathybobo9853]

I think we need a special beat sheet just for thriller novels.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Hi Alexa. I really liked this video. So helpful. I have one question, as I'm quite far into plotting scene by scene, is it possible to change POV a few times during the novel? I am writing in the closed 3rd person, mainly following the sleuth. Thank you!

[@adventureswithmadison]

Are u vlogging while writing this thriller?

[@teddysnyder]

What is Miss Marple's flaw?

[@mare2723]

So is one of the keys to a satisfying thriller, to get the reader to care about the main character early and then put their well-being in jeopardy? Is that a sure fire way to start putting stress chemicals in the readers blood? And on that note, do authors have any responsibility in terms of health impact to the reader? Actually, I guess the way they show that is some post trigger warnings or other types of cautionary statements . Another question I have for you is, do you think that some people subvert their desire to do things in real life that they don’t want to pay the consequences for into great fiction?

[@SingingSealRiana]

I would like to read a thriller where everyone tries to finde the dark hidden parts of the victim, only to have them be in the end, exactly who they looked like and everyone feels bad for it . . . like a double twist but that is sure as hell dificult to write convincingly. In an anime they did something similar, someone looked like a very good hard working person and the pryed and pryed to find their flaw only to find he was just really that good of a person and his dark secret was something compleatly harmless, but if it came out, it still would be a total scandal and his name would be ruined as if he had been a bad person . . . I would like a version of that but without a dark secretand them beeing who they are beeing the reason they got killed, instead of some outside reason or the dark secret.

[@gwynhuff4335]

I found my two unrelated events that mesh to make unusual murder method; my original sleuth was an older sculptor. As I played with the story the sleuth changed roles and a young sleuth stepped In her place. The antagonist changed form too in this re cat of roles. Do you ever have your characters "do this to you"?

[@catherinesbookisland4159]

I have question for you. When you write a thriller could you have the victim and the investigator be in one character?

[@richardbruce383]

It is great if all this works for you but I can't help but think you should just write if you want to tell a story. Be creative and let your talent guide you. Don't overthink every detail especially if it takes the fun out of it! If your favourite part is plotting and scrutinising over every last detail they by all means do what you love.

[@1Murk0Cloud2]

is there a book were the investigator is the murderer?!

[@SloanePaoPow]

Check out "The murder of Roger Ackroyd"by Agatha Christie

[@briannarip003]

Hi, thanks for the video- super helpful! You're so kind and beautiful! Thank you thank you thank you.

[@ace_of_cups4096]

I want to try my had at mystery and thrillers, just genres other than contemporary and fantasy, and i tried to read Nancy Drew: The Curse, to recognize the story structure....... 2 chapters in and i lost interest. Still haven't found the inciting incident im so used to and am SO bored. Makes me sad cus I've always loved Nancy Drew

[@lucyw2470]

Is it bad to have a book that happens from 4 different veiw points? My book Story is like a spiders web not a liner line is this ok?

[@MB-lz5eb]

This is only tangentially related, but is there any reason why people who realize the killer might target them would focus on other stuff (relegating the serial killer to a background detail, until the killer goes after them)? Specifically, young adults dealing with school, and sexuality, and mental illness, and investigative journalism into institutional abuse that gave the MC PTSD, and all this stuff that's not really related to "there's a serial killer hunting down mentally ill people!!!"

[@aisha270]

I'm the first one here!!!

[@silentj624]

I'm here because I want to write a book and I watched a movie that had a good premise but the execution was horrible. Also I read a book before I watched that movie and it had the same premise. So a book.

[@AFendi12]

I watched this video backwards

[@donreadsalot4932]

Enjoyed the post but with 4 commercial breaks in the first 17 minutes alone, I just couldn't watch anymore.

[@AlexaDonne]

YT automatically inserted midrolls on past videos last July and I don't know unless people tell me a video has a lot. Thank you for telling me so I can fix it.

[@donreadsalot4932]

@@AlexaDonne no worries, and really enjoyed the info so will get back to it!

[@SysterYster]

It does sound like a cool idea to work backwards actually. But, I have to say I cringed a little at the "big party with teenagers in a secluded spot" thing. I totally get the party with teenagers part. But does it have to be a secluded place? A normal house down the street would do for me. It would also seem more natural. And people don't usually notice much of what's going on in other people's houses anyway. Just my two cents. (Of course, it's YA, and certain tropes may work better for kids than adults. ) :P

[@AlexaDonne]

It's a rich neighborhood with lots of acreage between properties and a river border on one side, but not in the middle of nowhere. I based it on a real place. YMMV.

[@SysterYster]

@@AlexaDonne Hi Alexa!

[@belletoro3100]

Alexa Donne I can verify these types of neighborhoods exist everywhere! I live in one lol

[@PatIreland-tw9lr]

Video doesn’t have much helpful info for someone writing a thriller with exactly zero murders… a spy novel instead of a murder mystery, for example.

[@TalentedDilittante]

Are your stories as boring as your chatter while you avoid saying what we came to hear?

[@jwhpost]

Good content, but please lower your voice pitch and calm down a bit, I can then listen to the end.

[@toxicsugarart2103]

“You never want it to come out of left field that this sweet lovable character is a psychopath” *sideyes every chapter 3 trial of every danganronpa game*

[@gin.hollan]

Right?! LOL

[@berries.0f.blu3]

Nah just the majority of the Danganronpa blackeneds- *cries in Chiaki*

[@marahsoore6452]

Thank you for making this video! One day I want to go back and try writing a thriller and I might try plotting it backwards like this. Right now I'm getting stupid excited, Barnes and Noble just told me 'The Stars We Steal' is about to be shipped. I really can't wait to read it!

[@gopro_audio]

I do this with Historical-Fiction. When researching history, or "his-story" you have to identify what old wealthy men fought to hide. This method is fantastic for trope subversions. Great Content!

[@weiterentwicklunginkl.2889]

Great 😊

[@LauraWrites]

Omg this was so so so helpful!!! It also gave me so many ideas for my burgeoning thriller idea!!! Thank you!!!! 💜

[@AlexaDonne]

Yay! I'm so glad! When my friend (who was responsible for plotting one of these for Glasstown) gave me her tip it just blew it wide open for me! Really helped me figure out how to make thrillers work with my writing style :)

[@SharonSaundersRealEstate]

Always excellent advice, thanks!