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Author Archives: Samantha Leary
The Beating Heart of Suspense: How Mood and Timing Create Page-Turners
Suspense is the lifeblood of mystery writing. Learn how to build tension with mood, pacing, and restraint—using lessons from films like The Score, Abandoned, Cape Fear, Shutter Island, and The Birds.
Heart of Writing S2 E6 Creating Tension by Putting Your Character Where They Don’t Belong
“Heart of Writing S2E6 explores creating tension by placing your characters in the wrong place at the wrong time. Master suspense in your story!”
Eddie and Freddy Celebrate Thanksgiving Day Free through Cyber Monday
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Eddie and Freddy! This delightful children’s book is FREE from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. Join Eddie and Freddy on a fun, heartwarming adventure perfect for kids and families this holiday season.
The Power of Questions: How to Keep Readers Turning Pages
Learn how unanswered questions drive suspense and character development. Explore tips, exercises, and movie examples like Jason Bourne and The Wrong Man.
S2 E5 just because they can doesn’t mean they should
Heart of Writing S2 E5 – Just Because They Can Doesn’t Mean They Should
In this episode of Heart of Writing, we explore the fine line between what characters can do and what they should do in storytelling. Learn how thoughtful choices, consequences, and moral tension can make your fiction more compelling and believable. Perfect for writers looking to deepen character motivation and craft stories that resonate.
Heart of Writing S2 E3 Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Legal Thrillers
Heart of Writing S2 E3 – Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Legal Thrillers
In this episode of Heart of Writing, we dive into the gripping world of legal thrillers and uncover five key lessons writers can apply to their own storytelling. From crafting tension and high-stakes drama to creating compelling characters and plot twists, discover techniques that keep readers hooked from the first page to the last. Perfect for fiction writers looking to sharpen their suspense, pacing, and narrative skills.
The Reader’s Contract: Suspense, Trust, and Reward
Every story begins with an unspoken promise to the reader. Learn how to create suspense, plant fair clues, and reward your audience with satisfying reveals—featuring lessons from Insomnia, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Bone Collector, Se7en, and When Time Ran Out.
How to write a convincing character profile in 5 easy steps
“Learn how to create lifelike characters by understanding their inner world. Discover exercises to explore motives, desires, and unique traits that make your characters captivating and real.”
The next Samantha Leary novel is available for preorder!
Step into the dark, gripping world of Samantha Leary Psychological Thrillers. Discover the suspense, secrets, and manipulation in The House on Teller Hill — the second book in this bold new series by J.E. Nickerson
We Are Wise Thinkers 