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Tips, insights, and observations from our editorial staff about the craft of writing memorable characters in popular, mainstream, and literary fiction.

How P.J. Vernon Delivers Fresh, Distinctive Characterization in Mystery Fiction

[by Ross Browne]

When You Find Me was, without a doubt, one of the most pleasant literary surprises I’ve had in a long time. It’s a debut novel that got a warm reception from readers and critics alike, and with good reason. It’s a Southern gothic-style thriller with an inventive […]

By |2024-01-18T15:45:21+00:00December 14th, 2023|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How P.J. Vernon Delivers Fresh, Distinctive Characterization in Mystery Fiction
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Exploring Ken Follett’s Masterful Handling of Plot, Characterization, and Historical Storytelling in THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

[by Ross Browne]

If you’ve read any of Ken Follett’s work, it probably comes as no surprise that he was able to turn his own personal fascination with cathedrals and how they’re built into a damn good novel. But from a fiction technique viewpoint, what he done with The Pillars of The Earth transcends good and might be seen […]

By |2024-01-07T20:57:18+00:00September 14th, 2022|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on Exploring Ken Follett’s Masterful Handling of Plot, Characterization, and Historical Storytelling in THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
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How JK Rowling (Writing As Robert Galbraith) Sustains Reader Engagement in a Very Long Mystery

[by Ross Browne]

If you’re a fan of JK Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith, you’re probably well aware how much longer her latest release is than the other four books in the series.

My own first reaction to the size of the hefty tome—darn near 1,000 pages in hardcover—was mostly: Terrific! More […]

By |2024-01-18T17:39:39+00:00May 11th, 2021|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How JK Rowling (Writing As Robert Galbraith) Sustains Reader Engagement in a Very Long Mystery
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Considering the Pros and Cons of Irredeemable Antagonists in Crime Fiction in WRECKED by Joe Ide

[by Ross Browne]

I’m not exaggerating when I say the discovery of Joe Ide’s IQ series made an often-awful 2020 more bearable. Wrecked is the third book in this series starring the fiercely intelligent but lonely and isolated Isaiah Quintabe (“IQ”), who on first glance might resemble a modern-day Sherlock Holmes of Long Beach. In this story, […]

By |2024-01-07T22:03:19+00:00February 24th, 2021|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on Considering the Pros and Cons of Irredeemable Antagonists in Crime Fiction in WRECKED by Joe Ide
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How Dean Koontz Creates Dramatic Character Arc (and Convincingly Humanizes a Golden Retriever) in His Best-Loved Novel

[by Ross Browne]

Dean Koontz is a very funny guy who while contemplating his future as a geriatric (bunny slippers are involved) says he expects to feel then as he does now: that Watchers is the most satisfying book he’s ever written. He also believes many readers will think it to be his best, no matter how […]

By |2024-01-18T17:28:27+00:00June 19th, 2020|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How Dean Koontz Creates Dramatic Character Arc (and Convincingly Humanizes a Golden Retriever) in His Best-Loved Novel
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How Stephen King and Alexandra Sokoloff Cultivate Willing Suspension of Disbelief in Crime Fiction Tips and techniques based on two hit novels

[by Ross Browne]

A recent article in The New Yorker defines the willing suspension of disbelief as “the reader’s decision to put the argumentative, quibbling part of his mind into neutral and go along for the narrative ride.”

Stephen King is a master at this, and I’m sure I’m not alone in admiring how easy he makes it […]

By |2024-01-22T17:18:16+00:00June 19th, 2020|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How Stephen King and Alexandra Sokoloff Cultivate Willing Suspension of Disbelief in Crime Fiction Tips and techniques based on two hit novels
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