Grab the reader's attention with a strong hook.

It was a dark and stormy night. It's not to say using the weather as an opening line isn't used. It is! By award winning and financially successful authors. However, it is considered a cliché and might get your novel dismissed by readers and publishers alike. Why risk it when you can do so much with your opening line?

You need something to pique your reader's curiosity. A loss, discovery, a conflict — this is the time to tease. Don't bog your reader down in character exposition or world building. Your entire first chapter should be geared to drawing the reader further into the book.

Create multi-dimensional characters.

No one is ever truly good or evil. You want your villain to be more than a cardboard cut-out of a bad person. Equally, a character that is only ever shown to be good is boring! Give thought about motivation and explanations behind their personalities. There's no need to say, "Tom does this because his parents died." Trust your readers to make the connections.

You want your readers to relate to the characters and to be willing to spend time with them in the story. Readers who are invested in your characters are more likely to finish the book and will also have a more powerful reaction to the plot twist.

Keep the reader guessing with plot twists and surprises.

What's a thriller novel without a good plot twist?? Readers come to this genre expecting to be shocked and surprised. Maybe use misdirection or an unreliable narrator. 

The important thing to remember is to not force the plot twist. If it doesn't work, there's something else wrong in your story. Treat your readers with respect and give them a plot twist that suits the story.

Use descriptive language to create vivid settings and imagery.

You want to bring the reader into the scene, use adjectives and verbs that help really describe the mood and setting. Having said that: Don't describe every little detail of a setting. Drawing out a description slows down your pacing.

Hint at what's to come and build anticipation using foreshadowing.

You'll want to plant clues throughout the novel. This serves two purposes: one, it let's the reader in on the twist . . . IF they can figure it out. Two, if they don't figure it out — they can go back and find what they missed. However, if there's no foreshadowing, the reader may feel the plot twist is contrived. 

Are you ready to invest in your novel? Reach out to me so we can work together to make it the best possible!