It’s not every day that a bestselling author invites you into the secret world behind their creative process. In this episode, I sit down with April Henry, acclaimed writer of thirty-two mysteries and thrillers, to discuss how she crafts her gripping stories—making them both intricately plotted and beautifully accessible. Here, we dive into the wisdom and practical strategies April shared about writing, resilience, and reaching all readers.
The Spark of an Idea: Gathering and Shaping Story Seeds
For April Henry, inspiration is everywhere once you start paying attention. She likens the writer’s mindset to noticing a new car on the road—once you’ve decided to write mysteries, the world becomes full of plots and puzzles. Henry keeps an ongoing list of possible story ideas on her devices, ready to be mined when a new book takes shape. Sometimes, a real news story—like a teenage storage unit buyer who stumbles onto secrets—can ignite the spark for a novel. Working with her agent and editor, she chooses the most compelling seeds from her collection to develop into full-fledged narratives.
Plotter, Pantser, or “Plotser”? Balancing Structure and Surprise
When it comes to plotting, Henry describes herself as a “plotser”—part plotter, part pantser. She appreciates the universal story beats found in resources like Save the Cat, using those as a structural backbone, but emphasizes that this doesn’t mean stories become formulaic: “We all have the same skeletons mostly, and we all look completely different. Just because it has the same skeleton underneath doesn’t mean your book will be cookie-cutter,” she explains.
Depending on the type of thriller, Henry adapts her process. Survival tales might require less pre-plotting, unfolding organically as the protagonist claws their way to safety. But whodunits and thrillers with layered secrets demand careful planning to ensure all the twists and revelations pay off for the reader.
Writing Complex Stories in Simple Words
A signature of Henry’s style—one that stands out to both educators and reluctant readers—is her ability to tell elaborate stories with clear, unpretentious language. This skill was sharpened during a stint at a healthcare organization, where she learned to explain medical complexities at a sixth-grade reading level. Henry explains that the power lies not in dumbing down but in crafting context-rich prose, so even when she uses advanced vocabulary, its meaning is easy to grasp.
Avoiding the temptation to overburden dialogue tags and resisting the urge to impress with big words, Henry keeps her prose streamlined and lets her plot shine: “If you use a lot of fancy words, sometimes it just draws attention to the writer and not the writing”.
Resilience, Rejection, and the Writer’s Life
Long before she was a celebrated author, April Henry faced rejection after rejection. Over the course of multiple manuscripts, she collected more than 150 rejection letters before finally breaking through with her fourth book. The lesson? The only person who can tell you to quit is yourself. Perseverance, she insists, is the true engine of a writing career: “When you give up on yourself… you’re the one who decides to give up. And I don’t ever decide to give up. I’m very stubborn. It’s probably my bad trait as well as my good trait, just like anything. But I persevere”.
Crafting Books for Reluctant Readers—And Why It Matters
After transitioning from adult to YA fiction, Henry began intentionally writing slim, fast-paced books designed to hook the so-called “reluctant reader.” Short chapters, immediate stakes, cliffhangers, and accessible language aren’t just for struggling readers—they’re for any reader who craves immersion. When students and teens write to say her stories made them fall in love with reading, she knows she’s accomplished something vital.
Building Habits, Not Just Word Counts
Even after publishing dozens of books, sitting down to write remains a daily challenge. Henry recommends tiny habits over grand resolutions; set small, realistic goals, like writing for just five to eight minutes a day, to build lasting momentum. Celebrate tiny wins, and remember—the hardest part is often just starting.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
The world of publishing is harder and weirder than ever, and Henry urges writers to persevere through rejection and to nurture community—whether online or at local readings. Research agents thoroughly and don’t lose heart. Every successful author she knows has been rejected time and time again.
Stories That Invite Everyone In
Through clarity, empathy, and stubbornness, April Henry has built a body of work that celebrates the act of reading and makes the magic of story accessible to all. Her message to writers and readers alike is this: perseverance and inclusivity create books that not only entertain but also transform lives.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with April Henry on the Authors Who Lead podcast.
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