Mixing two genres or subgenres in fiction can be difficult and challenging task for a writer. I have done it and I know. I write historical romance fiction. It’s a challenge to get the era right and side by side keep the focus on the central romantic pair. Today I have the spotlight on another book which mixes categories. Adite Banerjie’s newest book No Safe Zone belongs to the romantic suspense genre. I asked author Adite Banerjie, what is her advice for writing a romantic thriller. Here are her ten tips for writing romance suspense.
Over to Adite…
Ten Tips on Writing a Romantic Thriller
Most romance writers gravitate easily towards sub-genres like romantic comedies and chick lit. Mixing romance and thrillers might seem like a bad idea. For one, thrillers are plot-driven while romance thrives on character and relationship development. Can the two meet? In my experience, they make for an unlikely but perfect match. And writing one has more than its share of thrills.
Here are ten tips on writing a sizzling romantic thriller.
- Start the action as early as possible. Unlike a pure romance novel where you get to see the protagonist in his/her own world and start at an easy pace, in a romantic thriller you need to begin the story with some action. So, if you start with a murder on the first few pages, you have to keep in mind that as the plot develops the stakes have to keep growing. Build the tension as you go along instead of starting it at a very high level of tension.
- Character and plot development need to go hand in hand. Make every scene do double duty. Conflict and banter between the lead pair can often be pegged to something that is going on with the plot.
- A thriller is usually a story where the reader has a fairly good idea about who the bad guys are. But the tension revolves around how the protagonists will save their own skin and bring them down. Mysteries, on the other hand, are about finding out the identity of the criminals. Whatever you go with, bursts of high tension need to be offset with a calm period. This is a cue for the writer to focus on the romance bit.
- Try and end every chapter on a ‘cliffhanger’— that is, a point where a new question is raised, the answer to which the reader can find out only by turning the page and reading the next chapter. These questions could be related to dangerous situations, a crisis related to the plot or emotional conflict.
- Always try to create multiple smaller threats apart from the main one. As the story progresses, these smaller threats can be resolved which is also useful in growing the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.
- Romantic thrillers work best when the stakes keep rising at regular intervals giving play to the ‘fear and hope’ angle. Fear that the hero and heroine are in big, big trouble that they can’t get out. And hope that they will be able to overcome the challenges and get to safety.
- Keep things unpredictable by adding a surprising twist or two. However, the plot twists should not come totally out of the blue or they will seem implausible. Leave vague hints at an early stage that can be exploited later.
- Fear and tension are significant devices in increasing the intimacy between the hero and heroine. However, placement of love scenes is crucial. Having them make out in an attic or a cupboard while gun toting bad guys are lurking around is a big no-no.
- Make things as difficult as possible for the Hero and Heroine before they resolve the crisis. Making it easy for them only denies the reader an opportunity of a great thrilling ride.
- Have fun. Writing a romantic thriller can be as much of a thrill for the writer as for the reader!
Thank you for sharing these fabulous tips, Adite.
Find out more about Adite’s book.
NO SAFE ZONE
by
ADITE BANERJIE
Blurb
Qiara Rana will do anything to save her mentor and their non-government organization from ruin. Even if it means visiting the city she had vowed never to return to. But within a few hours of landing in New Delhi, she is being chased by a gunman and is a potential suspect in the murder of a high-profile businessman.
The only person she can turn to for help is Kabir Shorey, the man who stood her up ten years ago. Past and present collide in a deadly plot of crime and greed that moves from the cosmopolitan streets of Delhi to the bazaars and villages of Rajasthan.
Excerpt from #NSZ
Kabir couldn’t take his eyes off the game in progress. The sight of the polo players astride their horses, moving as a seamless entity, while steering the ball away from their opponents made him restless. He hadn’t ridden a horse or held a polo club in his hands for years. He had to use all his self-control to stop himself from rushing on to the field, pulling down one of the players and laying claim to his horse.
The memories came galloping back from the deepest recesses of his mind—Chetak with the brilliant white star in the middle of his forehead. What a dream team they had made. Chetak could anticipate his every move on the polo field even before he could think of it. They had never lost a game, making their perfectly matched combination the envy of every player in Rajasthan. If only they hadn’t been such a success on the polo turf…maybe things would have been different. Kabir’s heart burnt with longing and regret and the emotions bubbled within him like a dormant volcano beginning to stir up again.
Taking a deep, self-sustaining breath he raised his telephoto-lens equipped camera to his eyes, more to hide the dampness in his eyes. He focused on the spectators stand as he tried to reorient himself to his mission. He was here to get information on Ranveer Khanna, a known polo aficionado. It was the final day of the annual championships hosted by the Army Polo Club and Khanna was bound to show up.
Suddenly, two men appeared in the camera’s view finder. One of them was definitely Khanna while the other was a taller, stockily built man in his mid-twenties.
Kabir snapped a few pictures in quick succession. The younger man seemed to be agitated and was waving his finger threateningly at Khanna. He also didn’t quite fit the typical characteristics of a polo enthusiast. His attire was a little shabbier than what the other patrons of the club sported at such an elite affair. Perhaps, he was a chauffeur or a helper? His attitude though was far from servile. In fact, Khanna looked a trifle intimidated. After a couple of minutes, Khanna said something and turned to go inside the club.
Kabir took a few more random shots as he saw a waiter approach Khanna and say a few words to him.
Just at that moment Kabir’s cell phone beeped in his shirt pocket. It was Zayed—his new partner! Smirking at the thought, Kabir answered the call.
“Our man is here. Found out from the concierge, Khanna has recently acquired two stallions and is also a patron of a polo team in Argentina. It seems like he is either partnering with some other loaded investors or is a front for them.”
He waited to hear out Zayed’s response and swallowed the oath that sprang to his lips. “Zayed, if you already knew it, why you didn’t tell me?” Seconds later Kabir burst out, “Don’t give me that bullcrap. You and I are supposed to be on the same team, remember? If you had any doubts about my capabilities you should have spoken up at the meeting. If we have to work together, we share information, got it?”
Kabir felt his blood pressure rise up a notch as Zayed disgorged some more intel. Apparently, the NCA had informed him that Girls Rock! might be a money laundering front for Khanna.
“Someone from Girls Rock! is supposed to meet—hello? Are you there?”
Kabir cursed as he checked the screen of his phone to find the network signal had dropped. Moving away from the bleachers, he walked towards the club, trying to reach Zayed. He paced around a bit outside the entrance, waiting for the network signal to show up. Not even one blasted green light. He stormed into the club house in search of a landline phone. What else was Zayed not telling him? Clearly, Zayed’s reputation of not being a team player was quite accurate. It seemed like he needed to lay down some ground rules with his partner soon or else this investigation was doomed.
Scanning the lounge area, he spotted Khanna talking to a woman whose back was turned to him. After a few seconds, he saw her get up and follow Khanna out.
Kabir’s glance froze on the woman. She was petite, with the same china-doll-like figure, the same sexy gait, the same sway to her hips that made his heart pump harder. He raised the camera to his eyes, zooming in on her face to get a closer look but she was looking away. Nevertheless, he got a couple of shots before she disappeared down the corridor towards the inner sanctum of the club.
Was it her? Watching a polo match after all these years had sent his mind into throwback mode. He must be hallucinating! Get real, Kabir!
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About the author
Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist she turned her attention to fiction. Her latest book is a romantic-thriller No Safe Zone, published by Harper Collins India. She has penned two books for Mills & Boon (The Indian Tycoon’s Marriage Deal and Trouble Has a New Name) and written several screenplays. When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her writer husband and watching back-to-back movies.
Media Mentions:
Click Here to read the article in The Hindu Metroplus
Click Here to read a book review of No Safe Zone in Millennium Post
Click Here to read the article in The Big Thrill magazine
Media Mentions:
Click Here to read the article in The Hindu Metroplus
Click Here to read a book review of No Safe Zone in Millennium Post
Click Here to read the article in The Big Thrill magazine
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That’s great advice, Adite. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Devika! 🙂
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