I just want to start by saying I love your work. I've nearly read every one of your books. Your one of my favorited artists. My question to you is, what makes a great thriller. I know, there are multiple aspects to writing a fantastic and gripping narrative but, what i want to know is: what's your 'ritual'? What kind of things or habits do you stick to when writing a novel or when conjuring up a heart-stopping story?

Linwood Barclay That's a pretty big question. Cherie. But I'll try to give a brief answer. First of all, I think that what drives a thriller need to be something that matters, like a family member. It needs to have a sense of momentum, that the story is like a boulder rolling down a hill, picking up speed with each chapter. And, as much as possible, a little twist, or something, at the end of every chapter to make you want to go on to the next one. If I get at all bored while writing the story, I know the reader will be bored, too. I have to keep myself interested.

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