A thriller is a popular choice for a first novel, and there can be little more exciting than the vibrancy and glamour of a casino. It’s a world of high stakes, risk, and intrigue, which gives you so many elements of what makes a gripping story. To make this work, though, you need to look at some other key areas, and tying them all together can give you the perfect recipe for your first novel.
A Gripping Plot
At the heart of every good novel is the plot. You are looking for one where the characters have to gamble everything to provide the necessary thrills. You’ll also want to create friendships, conflict, and a series of events that keep the reader turning the pages. More obvious plot lines could center around a game or tournament like in Casino Royale, or go for a heist scenario, as in Oceans 11, 12, and 13.
Compelling Characters
To drive this plot, you will need compelling characters every bit as exciting as the setting you have put them in. You could have a washed-up gambler looking for redemption or a thief looking for one last big payday before retirement. All great novels also need an outstanding villain, and you could opt for a casino boss with underworld connections or even a competing thief or gambler. Don’t forget to include other characters, as many successful thrillers are also ensemble pieces.
Do Your Research
Of course, what you create will need an air of authenticity, and a trip to Las Vegas or Montecarlo might be a little out of your reach. You can, however, get a real feel for what is involved by visiting online casinos and playing online pokies for real money or table games like roulette so you can feel what your characters are going through. To see how some of the games are played, you can also look for live dealer options where you play over a live feed, and the deal is real, almost the same as it might be at a real land-based casino.
Don’t Forget Background Elements
As well as what goes on at the slots and tables, there are also background elements like security and the way that players are watched to ensure that cheating or card counting does not take place. You could also look at the hierarchy of casinos to see who fits in where in the staff and management to give what you write an even greater level of realism.
A Few Final Thoughts
Writing your first casino thriller might seem like a daunting task, but there are some solid steps that you can use as a starting point. At the very core of everything will be your plot and your characters, which need to be carefully crafted to make the reader care about what happens next. To make this happen, you must make it as authentic as possible by researching the games online and even playing a few to get a feel for the excitement.
