Bonus: Be A Bestseller 3.0 Summit Interview with Emma Dhesi
Mar 15, 2022
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Author Emma Dhesi discusses genre in writing, focusing on thrillers and The Silence of the Lambs. The podcast explores conventions, key scenes, and crafting tension in thriller storytelling. The discussion highlights the importance of genre choice, protagonist development, and maintaining tension to engage readers.
Key scenes in the thriller genre, like inciting crimes and confrontations, drive plot tension.
Deep dives
Genre Conventions in Writing
Genre conventions play a crucial role in shaping the structure and content of a story. In the podcast, the importance of genre conventions, such as the protagonist's goals and the presence of a master antagonist, is highlighted. It is emphasized that understanding these conventions helps in crafting a coherent and engaging narrative that aligns with readers' expectations. By following genre conventions, writers can create a compelling storyline that keeps readers invested.
Key Scenes in Thriller Genre
The thriller genre is characterized by key scenes that drive the plot forward and maintain tension. Key scenes, such as the inciting crime with a victim and the midpoint revelation, are essential in building suspense and leading to the climax. Using 'The Silence of the Lambs' as an example, the podcast discusses how these key scenes, like the inciting crime involving a missing woman and the protagonist's confrontation with the antagonist, contribute to the story's suspense and overall impact.
Crafting Themes in Action Stories
Themes in action stories are closely linked to emotions and reader experiences. Action stories aim to evoke feelings of excitement, bravery, and heroism in readers through the protagonist's journey of survival and sacrifice. Themes of bravery, sacrifice, and overcoming obstacles are explored in action narratives, emphasizing the significance of these elements in conveying the message of resilience and courage. By aligning themes with genre elements, writers can create impactful and emotionally resonant stories.
The Role of Genre in Theme Development
Genres play a vital role in informing the themes and messages conveyed in a story. By selecting a specific genre, writers can delve into themes related to survival, bravery, sacrifice, and heroism within the narrative. The podcast underscores how genre choices influence the emotional resonance of a story, guiding readers through a journey of action, suspense, and thematic exploration. Understanding the interplay between genre and theme enables writers to craft engaging narratives that resonate with their target audience.
In today’s extra special bonus episode, I'm sharing an interview I did earlier this year with Emma Dhesi for her Be A Bestseller Summit.
We talked about genre and how your story’s genre can help you write a story that works. And specifically, we dove into the thriller genre and talked about how the key scenes and conventions of the thriller genre show up in The Silence of the Lambs.
This was such a fun event to be a part of because it’s always fun to talk about writing, but also there were 25-30 other speakers who all shared their insights, tips, and strategies on the writing, editing, and publishing process., too.
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