AuthorHouse continues our series of writing master classes where we look at lessons learned from some of the world’s most skilled literary craftsmen. Today we take a look at how to incorporate fear into your writing as we look forward to Halloween. Award-Winner The lessons in this master class are gleaned from a man The Times of London has hailed “the best psychological thriller writer around.” He is also the winner of the Steel Dagger for best thriller writer of the year from the British Crime Watchers’ Association, among many other prestigious literary acknowledgements. Book to Movie Remember that movie starring Denzel Washington as the grumpy, quadriplegic detective who gives instructions to his partner, Angelina Jolie, as they try to catch a serial killer? That’s right, The Bone Collector. Well today’s master class is based on the teachings of the man who created Washington’s character, Lincoln Rhyme, and wrote the book the movie is based on. We welcome Jeffery Deaver. Fear 101 Our Fear 101 master class is taken from Deaver’s article from his collection of short stories, More Twisted. He calls it “How to scare the socks off your readers in a few easy lessons.” So, let’s begin. Deaver describes himself as a suspense writer first and foremost. As such, he always reminds himself of his golden rule when crafting stories designed to have his readers quaking in their seats. “I always remember that my job as a suspense writer is to make my audience afraid but never disgusted or repulsed, as happens when there’s graphic gore or violence against, say, children or animals. The emotion that fear engenders in thriller fiction should be cathartic and exhilarating. Yes, make your readers’ palms sweat, and make them hesitate to shut the lights out at night – but at the end of the ride make sure they climb off the roller coaster unharmed.” Jeffery Deaver’s Five Rules of Fear So how does Jeffery Deaver scare his audience without grossing them out? He identifies his Five Rules of Fear: The First Real of Fear: The Unknown The foundation of horror stories told by man since we learned to speak. The Second Rule of Fear: Vulnerability As Deaver explains: “the fear we experience when others are in control of our lives.” The Third Rule of Fear: Somebody Else’s Lack of Self-Control For example, psychopaths cannot be reasoned with and are not governed by the laws or ethics that dictate our behavior. Deaver goes on to explain that this fear is “greatest when the lack of control is within someone we’re close to.” Imagine your lover turned out to be a murderer or teacher was a rapist. The Fourth Rule of Fear: Our Own Lack of Self-Control Those moments, instances or scenarios where we are seemingly driven by a force within ourselves, but which is not under our control, to act in a way we know is dangerous or will be harmful to us. Deaver provides the example of that “inexplicable drive to throw ourselves of a bridge or cliff” we have all experienced. The Fifth Rule of Fear: The Icons of Terror Deaver explains these as “the images (often clichés) that make us afraid either because they’re imprinted into our brains or because we have learned to fear them.” Some of the hundreds of icons of terror include: • The harbinger of evil • Religious motifs • Violent imagery • A poisonous intimate/sentimental item • The echoes of evil associated with a particular locale. • A dead person • Dolls • An isolated, gothic setting • The windowless cell • Blood • Phobias • Darkness • The occult Closing Remarks The final rule Deaver leaves us with from his Fear 101 seminar addresses an extremely important point that relates to writing in any genre. The importance of developing your character to be realistic and authentic enough for your readers to become attached to them. Once you have achieved this, your readers will be affected by what happens to them. Regarding character development and the element of fear, Deaver has this to say: “I enhance the experience of horror by making sure that my characters (and therefore my readers) stand to lose something important if the threatened calamity comes to pass.” We hope you enjoyed this Fear master class based on the writings of Jeffery Deaver and will look out for the next installment from AuthorHouse.
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