Writing the Domestic Thriller Course:
Have you ever wondered what it takes to pen a novel that has readers biting their nails and peeking over their shoulders with every turn of the page?
Well, you've just stumbled upon your secret weapon! In this gripping journey into storytelling, we delve into the heart of the home where sinister plots brew and characters that feel frighteningly real lurk. You'll learn the ins and outs of creating complex, flawed characters and unpredictable dynamics that are the lifeblood of any edge-of-the-seat domestic thriller.
To do this work, we'll examine the 2014 film Gone Girl, Frieda McFadden's The Housemaid, and Catriona Ward's Sundial.
Strap in; it's going to be a wicked ride.
What you will learn
If you don't know anything else about me, you should know that I'm obsessed with character goals, motivation, and conflict (GMC).
It doesn't matter if you're a panster or a plotter; knowing what your characters want and how it's going to be impossible for them to succeed is key to storytelling!
In addition to GMC, we will focus on tropes because that is my jam. Why tropes? Because they are relationships, and domestic thrillers are all about relationships. Think secrets, scars, and hidden identities.
We'll discuss how to structure a domestic thriller, using Gone Girl, The Housemaid, and Sundial as fantastic examples.
Together, we'll delve into the psyches of memorable characters, unraveling their fears, desires, and the secrets that propel a narrative forward. We'll also discuss why the domestic thriller is so popular.
By the end, you'll gain confidence in crafting complex characters and a profound understanding of how they can drive your story toward that edge-of-your-seat experience readers crave.
Using your newly acquired knowledge, you'll be ready to craft your most captivating thriller, armed with the skills to hook readers and create long-term fans.
Intricate
Master the Art of Complex Psyches in Household Suspense
Sinister
The Call is Coming from Inside the House (ie when your sister is a serial killer.)
Unpredictable
Create characters that we can can't look away from
How This Course Works
This course has three parts: 1). prerecorded lectures, 2). three live Zoom group sessions, and 3). a private FB group.
1). Starting September 20th, all the recorded course content will be available. The course content includes thriller concepts, GMC and character development, plotting, and trends in domestic thrillers.
We'll discuss the above concepts with examples from the movie Gone Girl, Freida McFadden's The Housemaid, and Catriona Ward's Sundial. Set aside time to watch the film and read these two outstanding examples of domestic thrillers!
2). It's time to pick my brain! This is a fun space to ask questions and share ideas in real-time at the 3 Live Zoom Group Q&A sessions on Sundays at 9 am EST.
Session #1: Sunday, September 22
Session #2 Sunday, September 29
Session #3 Sunday, October 6
All sessions will be recorded.
3). We'll have a private FB group for this course to share ideas, ask questions, and troubleshoot story concepts. This is a great place to share thriller writing resources and connect with like-minded fellow authors! I'll be around for questions and to cheer you on as you write your thriller.
Who Am I?
Jennifer Hilt is a USA Today Bestselling author of The Trope Thesaurus: An Author Resource, a five-book series. She has written twenty-four books across four pen names, plus her urban fantasy trilogy: The Undead Detective. She works as a plotter and concept creator. As a frequent podcast guest, she has appeared on Joanna Penn's The Creative Penn, Bryan Cohen's Sell More Books, Matty Dalrymple's The Indy Author Podcast, and Kobo's Live Writing Life, among many others. She teaches authors about story development in workshops and classes across the US.
With degrees in linguistics and literature, Jennifer loves collecting dictionaries in unfamiliar languages, binge-watching scandi-noir series, and shouting out tropes from the comfort of her couch. Visit www.jenniferhilt.com for information on her events, classes, and workshops.