[Bill Phipps]

Things I learned about thrillers from BI:

Every scene needs MIS.

Each scene we are drawn to ask another question or discover another intriguing fact.

Newly revealed facts, but details of those facts are withheld. For example, Nick apparently killed a tourist, but why he did is not revealed right away.

With multilevels of MIS, (Story level, character level, etc.) you have ample details and facts to conceal, partially reveal, and later fully reveal.

These can be facts about the plot or facts about character’s pasts.

Things I learned about thrillers from SOTL:

Stakes become more dire and more of an issue after the midpoint. It can go from failure, to loss of career, to loss of life.

Mystery involves questions. Intrigue involves concealed information.

[Bill Phipps]

I learned your characters and world all need mystery and intrigue.

Concept: A brilliant but reclusive computer repair expert receives an old device containing encrypted messages. As he deciphers the secrets using augmented reality tools and faces a living ecosystem of sentient code, he becomes a target in a deadly game of assassins and a shadowy organization.

BIG MYSTERY: As the computer repair expert deciphers the encrypted messages, the big mystery emerges: “What pivotal information does the old device hold that not only makes him a target for assassins but also places him at the center of a clandestine power struggle?”

BIG INTRIGUE: The shadow organization’s covert plan revolves around using the decrypted information to frame a rival organization for a high-profile cyberattack, triggering a global conflict that would divert attention while they advance their own hidden agenda.

BIG SUSPENSE: As the hero decodes the messages, the looming danger intensifies: Will the relentless assassins catch up to him before he can unravel the encrypted secrets, or will he outsmart them and expose the shadow organization’s deadly game?

Intriguing World: In a future cityscape, computer repair experts must navigate a living ecosystem of sentient code using augmented reality tools, troubleshooting and resolving conflicts in this self-aware digital world.

HERO: Chaff Treylark

Mystery: Chaff’s isolation stems from a traumatic past, where a previous decryption attempt went awry, leading to unintended consequences. He’s unaware that the encrypted messages are linked to that incident.

Intrigue: Chaff, initially hesitant to engage due to his past, uses augmented reality tools born from his technological genius to decipher the messages, uncovering a hidden realm of sentient code and a nefarious plot against him.

Suspense: As Chaff delves deeper, the suspense heightens as he navigates the augmented reality landscape, deciphering codes and eluding assassins. His resourcefulness grows, turning him from unwitting victim to a formidable adversary.

VILLAIN: Herina Thork

Mystery: Herina’s enigmatic past links her to a secret society exploiting the sentient code for power. Her ultimate goal is to control the augmented reality realm and reshape reality itself.

Intrigue: Herina’s proficiency in manipulating the sentient code allows her to commandeer the digital ecosystem, blending technology and mysticism. Her connection to the shadow organization remains concealed until the story’s climax.

Suspense: Herina’s dangerous influence over the augmented reality world intensifies as she uses the living ecosystem against Chaff. The suspense builds as her true motives emerge, posing an escalating threat to both reality and Chaff’s life.

RED HERRING: Ethan Spit

Mystery: Ethan’s mysterious past includes a history of hacking and cybercrimes, leading authorities to believe he is involved in the encrypted messages. However, his guilt is a misdirection from a separate, unrelated conspiracy.

Intrigue: Ethan’s involvement in a previous hacking scandal draws attention, suggesting a connection to the encrypted messages. His erratic behavior and shady associates create a web of intrigue, diverting attention from the true villains.

Suspense: The suspense peaks as Ethan becomes the primary suspect, and the investigation focuses on his activities. Meanwhile, the audience discovers that his actions are unrelated to the encrypted messages, adding complexity to the narrative.

[Bill Phipps]

Subject line: Bill Phipps Big M.I.S.

What I learned doing this assignment is…? The simpler the elements are the clearer and more thrilling the story can be.

Logline: A brilliant but reclusive computer repair expert receives an old device containing encrypted messages. As he deciphers the secrets, he becomes a target in a deadly game of assassins and a shadowy organization.

Unwitting but Resourceful Hero: The computer repair expert, preferring solitude, reluctantly uses his exceptional skills to decode the mysterious messages, thrusting him into a perilous web of intrigue.

Dangerous Villain: A lethal and enigmatic organization, hell-bent on preserving its secrets, dispatches ruthless assassins to eliminate anyone unraveling the encrypted messages’ hidden truths.

High Stakes: The decoded messages unveil a conspiracy threatening global security, forcing the reclusive hero to navigate a treacherous path to prevent catastrophic consequences.

Life and Death Situations: As the hero delves deeper into the conspiracy, he faces relentless assassins, decoding challenges, and a ticking clock, where every move could mean survival or demise.

This story is thrilling because: This story is thrilling because it combines the suspense of a brilliant recluse decoding mysterious messages with the relentless pursuit of deadly assassins, uncovering a high-stakes conspiracy that could reshape the world order.

BIG MYSTERY: As the computer repair expert deciphers the encrypted messages, the big mystery emerges: “What pivotal information does the old device hold that not only makes him a target for assassins but also places him at the center of a clandestine power struggle?”

BIG INTRIGUE: The shadow organization’s covert plan revolves around using the decrypted information to frame a rival organization for a high-profile cyberattack, triggering a global conflict that would divert attention while they advance their own hidden agenda.

BIG SUSPENSE: As the hero decodes the messages, the looming danger intensifies: Will the relentless assassins catch up to him before he can unravel the encrypted secrets, or will he outsmart them and expose the shadow organization’s deadly game?

[Bill Phipps]

Bill Phipps

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