Writing Suspense and Thrillers with Amanda Traylor

Episode 165 / Thriller writer Amanda Traylor shares:

• The challenges of writing commercial fiction
• How she shifted from romance to thrillers with romantic subplots and why that genre is a better fit for her
• How she licensed a thriller series to a publisher then got the rights reverted
• Writing as a parent of a young child

Intro link: Greta and Megan’s kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/authorwheel/preparingtowrite

Timestamps:

[00:17:40] Marketing success varies due to individual circumstance and timely changes in the industry. Best practices may not work for everyone, and it's important to remain patient and pivot to new methods when necessary.

[00:20:31] Amanda reflects on her past assumptions about her craft and the publishing industry. She learned that having education in the area was not enough.

[00:24:05] The publishing industry is a hard business and rejection is common. To succeed, you must divorce yourself from the outcome and be willing to learn and grow from mistakes.

[00:26:28] Write what you want, but it may not sell. Don't assume you are your audience, and be willing to make changes to appeal to them. Follow established tropes to succeed.

[00:28:29] Amanda advises writers to be open-minded towards feedback and marketability of their work.

[00:29:58] Amanda transitioned from young adult romance to romantic suspense, where she enjoyed playing with tropes. She focused on the mystery/thriller aspect while still including a romantic subplot.

[00:36:15]Amanda signed over her crime thriller series to a publisher but ultimately took the rights back due to lack of marketing success. The experience was a good learning opportunity and the split was amicable.

[00:43:39] Amanda took a year off  due to lack of help during pandemic.

[00:45:27] Amanda shares her struggle with balancing motherhood and writing but finds success in separating her time and being present in the moment. She also learned to write on the go, utilizing time during her child's preschool commute to dictate words into her phone.

[00:38:44] Networking with fellow writers and publishing professionals is crucial for support, understanding, and career advancement.

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Amanda Traylor website: www.amandatraylor.com

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