Last weekend I attended a workshop presented by thriller novelist, Jeffery Deaver. Writers from Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers, and Sisters in Crime came together to glean Jeff’s tricks of the trade. I was excited to hear how this acclaimed author infuses his creative writing with several complimentary creative ventures.
First, Deaver cleared up the difference between Mystery/Suspense and Thriller fiction.
Mystery/Suspense asks the questions, “What happened?” or “Who done it?”
Thrillers ask “What is going to happen?”
Next, Jeff spent the morning discussing basic writing craft. He is a proud “plotter” in a world split between plotters and pantsers. Plotters generally know where they want to go with a story idea and outline the story map before they begin writing. Pantsers are called this because they prefer to write “by the seat of their pants”. Deaver believes that if a writer has a solid outline, he will never face writer’s block, “You may have idea block, but never writer’s block.”
No matter your style of writing your first draft, all writers must rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite some more.
“There are no great writers — only great re-writers.”
Earnest Hemmingway
My workshop take-aways were:
- That even Jeffery Deaver gets impatient with moving a character from one place to another and forgets to add tension to the travel.
- Continually introduce conflicts and raise questions for your readers
- Delay answering those questions as long as possible.
- Use more plot reversals
One of my favorite things about Jeff Deaver is how he expands his creativity off the page.
- Jeff wrote a country western album to go along with his book XO. He doesn’t sing the songs, but they are written by him.
- He has published a collection of recipes with photos that compliment his Lincoln Rhyme novel, The Kill Room.
- Jeff also comprised a blog “written” by one of his villains.
All of these cross-creative ventures hold clues to their coordinating novels. I am intrigued by this idea and I LOVE that Deaver exemplifies experimenting with multiple creative ventures in conjunction with your main talent. Stretching your creative mind enhances all that you have to offer the world.
Let’s all follow Jeffery Deaver’s example. This week, try crafting something in a different medium that compliments your current work in progress. Please share your experiences with me. I’m excited to see and hear what you come up with!
Do you know any Jeffery Deaver fans? Be sure to share this post with them!
