--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I love about the thriller form is…" description: "\"What I love about the thriller form is that it makes you write a story. You can't get lost in your own genius, which is a dangerous place for writers. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff1/harlan-coben-847_best-things_what-i-love-about-the-thriller-form-is-t_3083930.png" --- # What I love about the thriller form is that it makes you… ![“What I love about the thriller form is that it makes you write a story. You can't get lost in your own genius, which is a dangerous place for writers. You don't want to ever get complacent. If a book starts going too well, I usually know there's a problem. I need to struggle. I need that…” quote by Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff1/harlan-coben-847_best-things_what-i-love-about-the-thriller-form-is-t_3083930.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff1/harlan-coben-847_best-things_what-i-love-about-the-thriller-form-is-t_3083930.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff1/harlan-coben-847_best-things_what-i-love-about-the-thriller-form-is-t_3083930.png) > “What I love about the thriller form is that it makes you write a story. You can't get lost in your own genius, which is a dangerous place for writers. You don't want to ever get complacent. If a book starts going too well, I usually know there's a problem. I need to struggle. I need that self-doubt. I need to think it's not the best thing ever.” [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author warns that overconfidence can blind writers to flaws; self‑doubt fuels improvement and keeps the story fresh. **In simple terms:** Self‑doubt keeps work honest. Key Takeaway Stay humble, seek challenges. Themes creativity humility craftsmanship Mood cautious analytical Type practical motivational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - editing - creative workshops Key Concepts narrative tension self‑critique Questions to Reflect On - When does doubt become harmful? - How can you balance confidence and critique? A Different Perspective Too much self‑doubt can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Complacent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacent/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Dangerous places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous-places/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Love Thriller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-thriller-4508769/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Scary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scary/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-doubt/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thriller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thriller/) [Thriller Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thriller-form-5272051/) [Thrillers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrillers/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-story/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I love thriller writers. My favourites are Harlan Coban, Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Kathy Reichs and Ed McBain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/i-love-thriller-writers-my-favourites-are-harlan-coban-lee-child-ian/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [I love the thriller genre generally. I like murder mysteries and those kinds of adventure stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-love-the-thriller-genre-generally-i-like-murder-mysteries-and-those/) [Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/) > [You know, people call mystery novels or thrillers 'puzzles.' I never understood that, because when I buy a puzzle, I already know what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/you-know-people-call-mystery-novels-or-thrillers-puzzles-i-never/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [I am, after all, a thriller writer. I routinely delve into the darkest chambers of the human heart. I've written about murder, kidnapping, depravity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/i-am-after-all-a-thriller-writer-i-routinely-delve-into-the-darkest/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [I don't find any real rivalries with crime and thriller writers anyway. That might sound a little Pollyanna, but for the most part the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/i-don-t-find-any-real-rivalries-with-crime-and-thriller-writers/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [The preparation for building a series of thrillers based on a single character is kind of like the preparation for becoming a parent: The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-preparation-for-building-a-series-of-thrillers-based-on-a-single/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [The book I always say that influenced me, subconsciously, because at the time I didn't know I wanted to be a writer, was William…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-book-i-always-say-that-influenced-me-subconsciously-because-at/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [The world is a very dangerous place. But the world is not too dangerous of a place for the United States of America provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-malley/the-world-is-a-very-dangerous-place-but-the-world-is-not-too/) [Martin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-malley/) > [The most dangerous place is in your safety zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-most-dangerous-place-is-in-your-safety-zone/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [In modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother's womb. It should be a place of sanctity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-leigh/in-modern-britain-the-most-dangerous-place-to-be-is-in-your-mother-s/) [Edward Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-leigh/) > [The world has always been a dangerous place. Now it is dangerous in a different way, because the world order that we've known since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-applebaum/the-world-has-always-been-a-dangerous-place-now-it-is-dangerous-in-a/) [Anne Applebaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-applebaum/) > [And the most dangerous place on earth - Is where you’re safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-winslow/and-the-most-dangerous-place-on-earth-is-where-you-re-safe/) [Don Winslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-winslow/) > [I like playing dress-up, and I love pretty jewels, but for me, being a 'movie star' would be a very dangerous place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-elliott/i-like-playing-dress-up-and-i-love-pretty-jewels-but-for-me-being-a/) [Alison Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-elliott/) > [Even though it may seem counterintuitive, a comfort zone is a dangerous place to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lou-retton/even-though-it-may-seem-counterintuitive-a-comfort-zone-is-a/) [Mary Lou Retton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lou-retton/) > [I had a role in developing the doctrine From the Sea, which was later modified to Forward From the Sea. But the way we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-smith/i-had-a-role-in-developing-the-doctrine-from-the-sea-which-was-later/) [Sam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-smith/) ## More by Harlan Coben > [“He flipped through the music stations as he drove, searching for some nonexistent perfect song that would be, as Stevie Nicks might sing, “hauntingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/he-flipped-through-the-music-stations-as-he-drove-searching-for-some/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“The whole place had a feel and aura about as warm as a cold sore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-whole-place-had-a-feel-and-aura-about-as-warm-as-a-cold-sore/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [When I was seventeen, I worked as a counsellor at a co-ed sleep-away camp for eight weeks. I loved it but it could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/when-i-was-seventeen-i-worked-as-a-counsellor-at-a-co-ed-sleep-away/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [Man plans. God laughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/man-plans-god-laughs/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“You could trust nature but not man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/you-could-trust-nature-but-not-man/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [I like to see the difference between good and evil as kind of like the foul line at a baseball game. It's very thin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/i-like-to-see-the-difference-between-good-and-evil-as-kind-of-like/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [The state of New Jersey is really two places - terrible cities and wonderful suburbs. I live in the suburbs, the final battleground of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-state-of-new-jersey-is-really-two-places-terrible-cities-and/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“Esperanza's side had so many colors, Crayola sent a scout.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/esperanza-s-side-had-so-many-colors-crayola-sent-a-scout/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [You know, people call mystery novels or thrillers 'puzzles.' I never understood that, because when I buy a puzzle, I already know what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/you-know-people-call-mystery-novels-or-thrillers-puzzles-i-never/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“Awareness started to creep in, clawing its way past the pain and numbness. He was lying on cold ground, his right cheek on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/awareness-started-to-creep-in-clawing-its-way-past-the-pain-and/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“Her smile shames the sun”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/her-smile-shames-the-sun/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [This is the price you pay for having a great father. You get the wonder, the joy, the tender moments - and you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/this-is-the-price-you-pay-for-having-a-great-father-you-get-the/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“The words kept landing like punches, dazing Adam, sapping his resistance, leaving him shaken and confused and ready to take a standing eight count.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/the-words-kept-landing-like-punches-dazing-adam-sapping-his/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [I'm not very happy idle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/i-m-not-very-happy-idle/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“Making friends?” Tripp asked. “I’m a people person,” Adam said. “You know he’s the VP of the board, right?” “I must remember to genuflect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/making-friends-tripp-asked-i-m-a-people-person-adam-said-you-know-he/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) [Explore all 351 Harlan Coben quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) ## More Best things quotes > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It hurt, of course, but more often than not the best things do, I've found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/it-hurt-of-course-but-more-often-than-not-the-best-things-do-i-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The next best thing to being witty one's self, is to be able to be able to quote another's wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/the-next-best-thing-to-being-witty-one-s-self-is-to-be-able-to-be/) [Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/) > [I really believe that our past can really hold us back from growth, so the best thing that we can do is MOVE ON…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/i-really-believe-that-our-past-can-really-hold-us-back-from-growth-so/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [The best thing for you to do is shop at your local farmer's market and support the organic growers who are there. Because those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/the-best-thing-for-you-to-do-is-shop-at-your-local-farmer-s-market/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [The best thing about the term 'performance artist' is that it includes just about everything you might want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/the-best-thing-about-the-term-performance-artist-is-that-it-includes/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [The best things in life are free. Sunsets and sunrises are free. Air is free. Love is free. Death is free. The best things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-best-things-in-life-are-free-sunsets-and-sunrises-are-free-air-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I always wanted to be a player, but I never had the talent to make the big leagues. So I did the next best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-finley/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-player-but-i-never-had-the-talent-to-make-the/) [Charlie Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-finley/) > [I was a 36C or D, and at 5' 1'', I knew that being a small person with big boobs standing in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/i-was-a-36c-or-d-and-at-5-1-i-knew-that-being-a-small-person-with-big/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [Each time I stop somewhere and look out, there are more people sitting there than there were the time I came before. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/each-time-i-stop-somewhere-and-look-out-there-are-more-people-sitting/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [One of the best things that happened for me as a playwright is becoming a comic-book writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-aguirre-sacasa/one-of-the-best-things-that-happened-for-me-as-a-playwright-is/) [Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-aguirre-sacasa/) > [I don't really know who I am as an actor: the best thing would be to experiment with it for the next 30 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-barnes/i-don-t-really-know-who-i-am-as-an-actor-the-best-thing-would-be-to/) [Ben Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-barnes/) > [The best thing about time passing is the privilege of running out of it, of watching the wave of mortality break over me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-manguso/the-best-thing-about-time-passing-is-the-privilege-of-running-out-of/) [Sarah Manguso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-manguso/) > [What was the best thing before sliced bread?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/what-was-the-best-thing-before-sliced-bread/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [The best thing about waking up early is seeing the sun rise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridgit-mendler/the-best-thing-about-waking-up-early-is-seeing-the-sun-rise/) [Bridgit Mendler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridgit-mendler/) [Browse all 1,021 Best things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What I love about the thriller form is that it makes you write a story. 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