X Factor or ex factor?

I have given up watching this bobbins and yet millions tune in every week. Why? Even with the addition of a live audience it’s a tired format.
Here goes the structure:
After the obligatory ‘coming up’ spoilers, the judges enter the arena with all the fanfare afforded to returning gods. Following this, a procession of deluded wannabes are paraded in front of the mocking nation. Many of these dimwits are accompanied by their entire family, a mob of genetically hamstrung individuals who take issue with the judges. About this time a sob story will pull at the heart strings and some unlikely council worker will rise up from the dross and blow away the judges. If only they would. The chuckling Louis and smug Simon sit there like bookends spouting innuendos designed to keep them in a closet they should have left years ago. Meanwhile, Dani – who sits there no less obsolete than Arlene Philips – can only look on in envy as Cheryl basks in the kind of public affection last offered to Princess Di. TV has no jury like a woman scorned.

Book Launch

Saturday saw the 2009 NewWritersUK festival where Chasing Shadows was launched to great success.

Big thanks go out to all of you who turned up to see me. I really appreciate your support and your presence made it a wonderful day. Full pictures will be put on my Myspace page this week so have a look (via my website). I must also thank everyone who helped with the event and all of the punters who purchased a copy.

Derren Brown

What did Derren Brown do? He gave us all six lottery numbers after they were announced. Key word folks, AFTER! He claims that he had already selected his six predicted numbers beforehand but Camelot wouldn’t allow them to be revealed until the draw had been made. Yeah right. Now let me make two predictions of my own. One: Wherever Derren goes people will be asking him for the lottery numbers. Two: This will get on his nerves.

Website

As of today my website is up and running.

www.johnbairdauthor.com

Making a thriller thrilling.

I will be talking at the NewWriters festival (see earlier blogs for details) at 12:15pm. The subject matter: What makes a thriller thrilling?

Great thrillers provide a roller coaster ride of adrenalin, but what makes this possible?

Memorable characters aside, I view the following as the crucial elements that go to make up a thriller.
They include:
Establishing plot.
The importance of conflict.
Providing hooks.
Creating suspense.
Planting twists.
The ticking clock.
The surprise ending.