Writing the Modern Thriller Course

OK, just replace the gun with a seaxa.

I decided that before I go on to write the rest of the mystery I am working on I needed to learn more about constructing one. Karen Brees, a colleague on the Historical Novel Society Yahoogroup, highly recommended Rob Parnell's Easy Way to Write Workshops, in particular "Writing the modern Thriller", the closest thing to a mystery writing class. I looked over the workshop information and decided it fit my needs.*

I plan to post my exercvises here, though of course I shan't share the contents of lessons as that would be Wrong, Unfair to Mr. Parnell, and a Violation of Copyright in the bargain.

Parnell offers a free newsletter with tips, lessons, and other treats. Just go to his site and sign up.

Lesson 1 - Three key Characters

The Hero

Race - Irish

Appearance – Small in stature, thin, red curly hair, blue eyes

Dress – Early Irish Celtic dress, kilt, shirt, bare legs and sandals, colorful as befits a bard

Age – early 30s

Occupation – out of work bard

Marital status - unmarried

Three key characters traits

Accepts others for themselves and assumes others do the same with him.
Masterful harper and singer.
Fond of women of all types, ages, sizes, classes, and not just for sex.

Two major characters flaws

Refuses to recognize distinctions in rank and class.
Can have a quick temper.

Three habits – drinking too much,

A party animal.
Inclined to fidget.
Short attention span at times.

Name

Séannon ui Cuíl / Shannon O’Quill

Plus you might like to invent a one-line personal
'mission statement' for each of the three characters.

I travel through the lands bringing beauty and pleasure to all I meet.

The Trusted Friend

Race - Irish

Appearance – Very tall, long legs that make him clumsy, dark red hair, and a sunlit smile, muscular upper torso

Dress – early Irish Celtic at first, later Saxon era armor

Age – early 30s

Occupation – Former soldier, turned storyteller and now temporarily member of guard

Marital status - unmarried

Three key characters traits

Devoted to hero
Gentle.
Courageous.

Two major characters flaws

Tends to sacrifice too much for others.
Too single-minded

Three habits

Looks to hero for guidance in all situations.
Clumsy when under stress.
Gravitates to children and animals.

Name

Ruairi Magh Donnaighi – Rory MacDonohue

Plus you might like to invent a one-line personal
'mission statement' for each of the three characters.

I am the companion of a great bard who spreads beauty throughout the land, and shall steadfastly support him in all he does.

The Villain

NOTE - This is a SPOILER. Do not rread on if you don't wabnt to know whodunit until you read the book.

Race - Saxon

Appearance – Medium tall, gray haired, black piercing eyes, rigid

Dress – Priest’s cassock

Age – early 50s

Occupation - priest

Marital status - unmarried

Three key characters traits

Absolute devotion to his religion.
Judgmental.
Willing to do anything he thinks is necessary

Two major characters flaws

Violent.
Suspicious.

Three habits

Draws himself up to his full height and stares you down.
Scratches a spot on the back of his hand absently until it bleeds.
Inserts himself without invitation.

Name + Father Wulfstan

Plus you might like to invent a one-line personal
'mission statement' for each of the three characters.

I shall destroy all corruption and evil doing in this sinful world.

* (Just in case you look around for a mystery writing class and discover Steve Alcorn's, I already took that one and did not find it terribly helpful. It did not address construction of the mystery itself, and further Mr. Alcorn made some major factual faux pas in his lessons. You certainly should decide for yourself.)