blog – Mike Donohue Books

8 Characteristics of a Thriller

I just finished up the first draft of my fourth full length Max Strong thriller. A first draft is a long way from done. I’ll spend the next month, at least, editing and refining but a first draft is a good time to see if the bones of the story are working. Will it meet reader’s expectations for the genre? If those aren’t in place now, it’s hard to add them later. So what are the most important elements or characteristics of a modern commercial thriller?

These are the 8 plot elements that I make sure are in each of my novels. These are what I would expect as a reader (there are of course exceptions to every rule) when I cracked the spine on a thriller. If they are missing…the reader will notice. They might not know why but they will feel disappointed or let down by the book. Writer, omit these at your own peril! Read more “8 Characteristics of a Thriller” →

My Quarantine Writing Routine

I find myself in a weird position as an author during quarantine. I’m in one of the few jobs where the demand for the product has remained high. This is great. People are reading more, something I always wished for. People are buying books and ebooks and listening to audiobooks as they exercise. This also puts some pressure on authors to continue to write and be productive during the quarantine. With everything else going on, this is not an easy ask.

Some days diving into my fictional world is a relief. Other days it feels selfish. And some days it feels just about impossible. I will say, that like exercise, I do almost always feel better after it’s over. And while I’m being careful to always put family first and not put any additional pressure on myself with a word count or expectations, I have (almost against my will) developed a daily quarantine writing routine that is working. Read more “My Quarantine Writing Routine” →

Recent Reads – Spring ’20 Quarantine Edition

Between working, writing, parenting, and homeschooling my energy at the end of the day is pretty well tapped out. I’ve found very energy or patience for binging on shows. I just can’t seem to commit and rarely get past browsing the various streaming menus. I’ve found myself craving the comfort food of familiar authors, series and sometimes books I’ve read in the past. I need to know the energy I put out is going to be worth it.

Here’s what I’ve read, and the few things I’ve watched, since being being inside since March 15th. Read more “Recent Reads – Spring ’20 Quarantine Edition” →

Best Places to Find Free Ebooks or Audiobooks

We are suddenly awash in free (or on sale) ebooks and audiobooks to keep us entertained or at least distracted, in this age of quarantine. Many publishers have taken pity on the homeschooling parent and offered a lot of material for kids free.

In an attempt to help you navigate all the choices, here is a roundup of my favorite places to find free or discounted books. Read more “Best Places to Find Free Ebooks or Audiobooks” →

5 Kindle Unlimited Thrillers to Try in 2020

Are you taking full advantage of your Prime Membership? Do you use Prime Reading? Or do you really love to read on your Kindle? Have your tried Kindle Unlimited?

Both are great deals for bibliophiles but if you are balking at subscribing to yet one more service and already have Prime (like over 65% of Americans!) than 12 free books a year is still a good deal and can further help you recoup the cost of that 2-day shipping membership.

Favorite Places to Find Free Mysteries & Thrillers

I read a lot of books each year. If I bought each book I read it would put a serious dent in our budget. Luckily, if you know where to look there are a lot of options, both online and offline, to get free (or heavily discounted) quality mysteries and thrillers.

Here are my 5 favorite places to hunt down free mystery and thriller books. Read more “Favorite Places to Find Free Mysteries & Thrillers” →

My Favorite Mysteries & Thrillers from 2019

I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers throughout the year. Some I forget the main character and the plot within a day. Others stick with me. These are my favorite new releases from 2019 that hung around in my head the longest. Read more “My Favorite Mysteries & Thrillers from 2019” →

6 Creepy & Unsettling Books for Fall

I’m not one that loves the gore and guts of the horror genre but I do quite like a book that can disturb and unsettle without always resorting to blood. The type of book that lingers long after you finish. The type of book that doesn’t neatly fit into one genre but brings all sort of story elements to bear to make you cringe and shiver.

These are some of my favorite genre-bending books for the encroaching dark nights of fall. Read more “6 Creepy & Unsettling Books for Fall” →

8 Steps to Finally Finish Your First Novel

Writing is much like any other craft. It’s not exactly hard to do though it is hard to do well. Writing a book isn’t necessarily hard it just takes time. String enough dedicated, persistence days spent on anything, a book or a painting or training for a marathon and you will reach your goal.

I don’t claim to be any kind of expert, but I have managed to finish a number of books and stories. If just sitting down each day feels a little vague to you, here are the 8 steps I use to keep writing word by word and day after day. Read more “8 Steps to Finally Finish Your First Novel” →

5 Thriller Authors I’ve Never Read, But Will Soon

Last year, on a whim at the library, I picked up one of John Sandford’s Virgil Flowers books. I’d read a lot of Prey books but hadn’t read any from his other series. I’m glad I did. I loved them and quickly blew through five more in a race to catch up. They’re great.

But I also started to wonder what I else I might be missing out on.

I’m pretty well read in the mystery and thriller genre but there is only so much time in the day to read and I still some embarrassing holes in my reading history.

To try to start patching up those holes, I’m targeting 5 established or best-selling authors this year that for one reason or another, I’ve never read. Read more “5 Thriller Authors I’ve Never Read, But Will Soon” →

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