My story ideas usually start with a visualization of a scene in my head, often a dramatic moment. So, my novel Chase was initially just a picture in my mind: a bad-guy drug-dealer meets with one of his runners.
The incident then turned into a scene which expanded into a full-length novel. Interestingly, I ended up cutting that scene and reworking it into a different setting and another short story. But by then the bull was out of the pen, as it were, and the story had to be written!
For action-adventure/mystery-suspense stories like Chase, I apply danger and uncertainty to the hero in increasing spirals. About 80% of the book is written from the hero’s (Tyler’s) point of view, for likability and solid stakes. But for me, the best way to produce screw-tightening suspense is to add scenes from the antagonist point of view. For some reason I seem to be good at thinking like a bad guy—so this comes easier to me. I try for a looser point of view there so it’s more natural to introduce uncertainty in the villain’s (Chase’s) motivation and plans. Dropping hints that something bad is about to happen to the hero keeps readers turning pages.
I also used a prologue in this book where the villains do something nasty and unexpected to one of Tyler’s neighbors. The threat of some similar action hangs over the hero and his friends throughout the story until it becomes a reality and the stakes escalate from there.
Glenn Haggerty writes inspiring adventures with an edge. No matter how dark the day, finding hope to pursue the prize is the core of all his novels and studies. He is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), a graduate of Vision Loss Resources and Bethel Seminary, the father of six and grandfather of seven. Glenn likes tandem biking, kayaking, and daydreaming and lives in Minneapolis with his wife.
About Chase:
Drugs infiltrate Tyler Higgins’ middle school turning ordinary kids into brain dead druggies. When his friend is infected, Tyler decides to cut the small town drug flow by ratting out the dealer before it’s too late.
Shadowing drug runners is risky business. A bow-hunter has already disappeared, and Tyler’s true adversary remains veiled. Soon everything goes sideways, but he doggedly follows the twisting trails, risking his friendships and his own neck. But he isn’t sure who he can trust, or if he can rescue anyone—including himself.
You can pick up your copy of Chase, Intense Book 3 here https://books2read.com/u/3yZOW6
And click here to get the first book in the Intense Series for FREE! http://www.glennhaggerty.com/my-books/escape/