Stephen Lawrence Brayton's Blog – March 2013 Archive (4)

“I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.”

I know what you mean.

Last year, my taekwondo instructor and I discussed his training for his upcoming test for his 7th Degree Black Belt. He mentioned his commitment to practicing his form, a daily exercise routine, and always looking toward the goal. Only recently before that conversation I had begun a new exercise regimen to…

Many moons have passed since I’ve fired up the transporter for an author interview. So this cool March morning, I dust off the controls and zip over to pick up this week’s featured guest. She was a nice change from some of these pushy authors who just take control and don’t let me know where we’re going…

I finish up Will Lavender’s seminar with the last five aspects to plotting the puzzling thriller.

1. Play fair with the evidence. Don’t hide evidence to later be revealed as always having been there.

Don’t cheat. No baseball bat lurking in the corner that you didn’t mention in chapter 3 which shows up in chapter 23. The protagonist has to have all the evidence before the final solution. Mentioning Queen again, he did this with the readers. Before the final couple…

Last week, I expanded a little on Will Lavender's presentation of plot aspects. In the second half of his seminar he focused more on thrillers and the ten aspects of this genre.

1. What’s the large puzzle and what are the smaller pieces/puzzles/evidence?

You have to have the main puzzle – the game played by the murderer and his threat to blow up a major building if he's not paid a…