EPISODE · May 28, 2026 · 55 MIN
Crafting Interiority & Twists in Thrillers with Samantha Skal
from Slaying the Craft: Inside the Mind of a Thriller Writer · host Sabrina Thatcher
In this episode, Sabrina Thatcher talks with thriller writer, book coach, and ThrillerFest executive director Samantha Skal for a deep dive into the mechanics behind compelling suspense. They explore why villains should be treated as the heroes of their own stories, how interiority becomes the “connective tissue” that shapes reader experience, and the art of revealing just enough information to create tension without losing momentum. They discuss writing twists, managing exposition, balancing reader expectations, and building characters whose decisions feel emotionally inevitable—even when they seem irrational.
What this episode covers
In this episode, Sabrina Thatcher talks with thriller writer, book coach, and ThrillerFest executive director Samantha Skal for a deep dive into the mechanics behind compelling suspense. They explore why villains should be treated as the heroes of their own stories, how interiority becomes the “connective tissue” that shapes reader experience, and the art of revealing just enough information to create tension without losing momentum. They discuss writing twists, managing exposition, balancing reader expectations, and building characters whose decisions feel emotionally inevitable—even when they seem irrational.
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Crafting Interiority & Twists in Thrillers with Samantha Skal
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