The Action Thriller Dream
I always had the urge to write an action-packed crime thriller, either as a screenplay or a novel. To me, it felt like an exhilarating idea, one that stemmed from watching edge-of-your-seat action movies. The kind that made you sit back afterward and say, “Now that was worth my time.”
I wanted nothing more than to create that same wow factor for others — and for myself. You see, it is not just for the audience. It is for my own enjoyment too.
Have you ever felt that way?
When Action Movies Let You Down
Have you ever watched a movie that promised you a buffet of every fast-paced action craving your heart desired, only for it to turn into an utter disappointment? Perhaps you rented it, streamed it, or went to the cinema with excitement, hoping to get that action fix you had not found in years.
You were full of hope.
You watched.
You waited.
The gripping plot, the sharp dialogue, the stunts, the beautifully choreographed fighting scenes, and the spectacular set pieces were surely on their way.
Just wait. It was coming. They promised.
But it never did.
Instead, the movie tried to impress you with how many curse words the protagonist could string together in one sentence, coupled with mindless violence without cause.
That fueled my desire even more.
Perhaps a bad movie sparked thoughts like, “I can write better dialogue than this,” or, “This story just doesn’t make sense. My grandmother could come up with something better.”
Those are bold words, and they are perfectly fine if you can back them up.
Come Hungry: Why Passion Matters
So, what am I trying to say?
This is the first key to writing a killer action thriller, or any thriller, or any novel for that matter: you need passion. You need motivation. You need drive.
We have an advert for a restaurant here in sunny South Africa with the slogan, “Come hungry.”
That must be your slogan.
You cannot tackle a novel while approaching it meekly and mildly. Grab it by the throat with excitement if you want to finish, and finish strong. If your only motivation is money, you may be let down — just like you were by that bad movie.
If you can tick the passion box, the first fundamental building block is in place.
What is next?
I am glad you asked.
Dreams Need Discipline
Discipline will be the difference between a pet project gathering dust and a book that eventually hits the shelves. Let’s face it: if this is your passion, your dream, and you can see yourself writing novels for a living, then you need to fight for it. Sacrifice for it. Treat it as a business. Pour your time into it.
But then comes the big question.
Should You Quit Your Job to Write?
“I have a full-time job. Should I leave it and pursue my dream?”
You should absolutely pursue your dream.
But should you leave your job?
Here is the blunt truth as I see it: if I could not build discipline while writing part-time, leaving my job would not magically make me disciplined.
This is where discipline comes in.
Finding Time When There Is No Time
“But where will I find the time?”
The answer is elementary.
You are working your day job eight hours a day. Nine, if you include your lunch break. That still leaves you with fifteen hours. Commuting to and from work could take another two hours. Add an hour to get ready, an hour for dinner, and seven hours of sleep. That still leaves you with a few hours of personal time.
Even if life takes a big bite out of that, you may still be left with one or two hours a day.
And that is enough.
Two focused hours a day can take you a long way. It is the perfect amount of time needed to make a solid start and finish a 100,000-word novel in a respectable timeframe.
And weekends?
Do you kick your feet up? Party? Disappear into the couch?
Well, you can. Life happens. But if the dream matters, weekends are precious writing time too.
Why I Write at 3 A.M.
For me, the best time to write is 3 a.m. That is when there are the fewest distractions. I write until 04h30, when people start getting up and preparing for the day. That includes me.
Most people are out of the house by 06h30, which gives me another hour to write before I need to get going.
That is the best time for me.
You will need to decide what works best for you.
On weekends, I write as much as I can, but I do not feel guilty if life happens now and again — as long as I was disciplined during the week.
Now that the fundamentals are in place, it is time to write.
Or is it?
The Lies I Told Myself
I will tell you the truth. I started many times and quit because odd thoughts kept bashing around in my head for some unknown reason.
Silly things like:
“I am not sure I want to waste my time on this gigantic project just so no one ends up reading or liking it anyway.”
“Who would want to read what I write?”
“What am I doing in front of the PC? I could be out there having fun.”
“I deserve a break. I work full-time, after all.”
“I do not even know where to start.”
“What is the correct format for dialogue again?”
“Am I really going to study proper grammar?”
Here is my favourite excuse:
“Only a tiny percentage of authors make a proper living from writing books. That means I have a massive chance of failure. Why even start?”
Do Not Wait Until You Are Ready
These were my excuses from the tender age of twenty-five.
Then came the trial and error: finding the correct time slot, learning how to write consistently, and discovering my voice. I only wrote my first book, Owen Able and the Two-Headed Dragon, at the age of forty-nine.
Do not be me.
Those excuses were just that — excuses.
You do not know the future. Stop wasting time and start writing.
During that process, I found my voice. After Owen Able and the Two-Headed Dragon, I wrote a standalone thriller, The Serpent’s Fall.
Stop Worrying About the Tool. Start Writing.
Now, you may ask, “What should I use? Microsoft Word? Scrivener? Something else?”
Do not stress about the tool at the beginning. Just write something in any word processor. Getting words on the page is the most important part.
That said, the right tool can make your writing journey far less painful. I wrote another article that will save you some guesswork: What Is the Best Tool for Writing Novels?
To recap:
I had the desire to write.
I had the determination to finish the book.
I found joy in writing.
It excited me.
Doing something out of passion may sound like a cliché, but passion certainly plugs a lot of procrastination holes.
Every Word Brings You Closer
If you are serious about writing your own thriller, you need to decide that every word matters. Every sentence moves you closer. Every writing session is a brick in the wall.
Have it in your mind to say, “Every word I write brings me closer to my dream. The more I write, the quicker I will reach it.”
Is It Worth It?
Is it hard work?
Yes.
Is it a fun experience?
For sure.
Is it worth it?
Without a doubt.
Imagine writing your own action crime thriller. Your characters can come to life. You can create a fictional world or invent anything you can dream up. Your characters can become known throughout the world, like Jack Reacher, Katniss Everdeen, or Jack Ryan.
And even if that never happens, there is still something incredible about having a book out in the world.
It is a proud moment.
Get comfortable behind the keyboard and start your action crime thriller today. In six months, you could be the author of a brand-new novel.
Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Discover JD Zeeman's Thrillers
I write cinematic action and suspense novels. Explore my books, discover Owen Able's world, or follow my author journey.
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