Aaron Philip Clark on Thriller Writing: 2 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Authors
In a previous episode of the Thriller 101 podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Aaron Philip Clark. He’s a great writer and is so generous with his time and insights.
But after editing that conversation, I got stuck on a few ideas and wanted to share them.
Throughout the conversation Aaron shared many valuable insights into the craft of thriller writing.
Whether you’re an experienced writer or an aspiring author, this episode has a ton of writing tips that can help transform your storytelling.
So here are the three most important takeaways from our discussion.
These are the things that really stuck with me.
1. Characters Drive Thrillers, Not Just the Plot
A common misconception about thrillers is that they are purely plot-driven.
While a tightly plotted story is crucial, Aaron emphasized that unforgettable thrillers hinge on deeply developed characters.
“Because plot is cool, but you know, it’s, it’s really just like, it gets us from point A to B, you know it’s more about what happens during that time period to the characters. How did they change?”
This means investing time into your characters’ backstories, motivations, and flaws.
The more fully developed they are, the more invested readers will be in their journey.
This technique draws readers closer to the characters, making every twist and turn more impactful.
Actionable Tip #1:
One method to consider is to spend time interviewing your main characters. Write out their fears, secrets, and dreams—even if these details never make it onto the page. The fact that you better understand them will come across in your work and in the storytelling.
2. Exploring Themes in Aaron Philip Clark’s Stories
Aaron Philip Clark’s thrillers are known not only for his fully developed plots and well-rounded characters but also for his thematic depth.
It’s something that came up in the way Aaron describes his books.
I noticed he often talks about his stories thematically, more so than any other author I’ve ever interviewed.
So I asked him about it.
He emphasized the importance of weaving meaningful themes into stories. For him, it seems like he’s using them as a lens to explore complex societal issues.
“But those are kind of themes. Those are questions, if anything, that I’m, that, you know, I’m asking…And so I wanted to explore those echoes. I wanted to dig into that.”
But here’s the thing, Aaron’s themes are so muted. They’re not heavy-handed. They’re evident of course.
We notice them.
But they’re not like a lecture.
Themes should emerge naturally through the characters’ actions and the choices they make.
Actionable Tip #2:
To incorporate meaningful themes into your writing, start with a question that intrigues you or something you don’t have an easy answer for. What bothers you? What angers you? What keeps you up at night? Then, build your story around characters who are forced to confront that question in ways that test their values and beliefs.
By approaching themes with curiosity (instead of as a lecture), writers can create stories that entertain while sparking thought-provoking conversations. From there, you just need to let readers figure it out for themselves…just like Aaron Philip Clark does in his work.
