Ren DeStefano: On Family Dynamics in Thriller Novels

Author Ren DeStefano discusses the process of writing her new thriller novel, How I’ll Kill You.

Ren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing thrillers, she’s listening to true crime podcasts and crocheting way too many blankets. Learn more at laurendestefano.com, and find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Ren DeStefano

In this post, Ren discusses the process of writing her new thriller novel, How I’ll Kill You, her advice for other writers, and more!

Name: Ren DeStefano
Literary agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Agency
Book title: How I’ll Kill You
Publisher: Berkley Penguin
Release date: March 21, 2023
Genre/category: Adult Thriller
Previous titles: Multiple YA titles as Lauren DeStefano
Elevator pitch for the book: Sissy has run the cleanup for her two serial killer sisters for the past six years. Now that it’s her turn to find her first victim and set about the gruesome task, she finds herself committing a cardinal sin: falling in love with him instead.

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What prompted you to write this book?

I really enjoy listening to true crime podcasts, and in them, there’s always a lot of speculation about what makes a killer “snap” or if some killers were giving off warning signs for their whole lives. When I started to think up the early idea for this story, I wondered if it would be possible for a serial killer to truly have loyalty or love for her own family—especially if she comes from a family of serial killers.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

This is one of my rare stories in which the idea didn’t change in the process. I knew from the start that my main character, Sissy, came from a trio of serial killers. Her role is to clean the messes left behind by her two reckless, violent sisters. She sees it as an act of love to take care of them and keep them out of trouble.

The story itself took about two months to draft. I was waking up every morning excited to dive in and see what sort of trouble everyone would get into.

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

I’d spent a few years trying to write a thriller, and none of my ideas were really panning out. So, when I began this one, I was very protective of the idea because it felt like I’d finally stumbled upon “the one” I’d been trying to get to.

For a few weeks, in the early days, I wrote in complete solitude before I cautiously shared it with a friend, and then with my agent. I was very surprised by their enthusiasm. It’s what got me through the (often discouraging) writing process.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

The empathy and love that the sisters had for each other did catch me by surprise. I won’t spoil the ending, but there were some elements that broke my heart more than I had anticipated.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

I hope that it’s an entertaining and surprising read, and that the ending is not what they were expecting. It definitely wasn’t what I expected.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

When you tap into that one wild idea that seems too “out there” or strange, lean in. That’s probably the one you’ve been waiting for.

This course is designed to help you understand how to craft a winning premise, how to outline your novel, and then how to take both of those things and assemble a synopsis that will act as a guide for you to write your novel and sell it.

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