Trevor Douglas’s journey toward crafting the character of rookie detective Bridgette Cash, the heart of his Bridgette Cash Mystery Thriller series, stems from his desire to bring a fresh perspective to his stories after previously working with male protagonists. Bridgette’s character began to take shape during a long-haul flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, where Douglas laid out the groundwork for her backstory. The series’ first novel, Cold Comfort, serves as an introduction to both Bridgette’s world and her early challenges, placing readers alongside her as she tackles her initial murder case, rich with rookie insights and experiences.
For Douglas, meticulous plotting is essential to his process. He uses the 3 Act Structure to frame each story, outlining 12 to 13 critical plot points, from the inciting incident to pivotal twists. Before drafting, he spends up to three months honing the story’s structure, ensuring that each element is cohesive and impactful. Only after this extensive planning does he begin writing, allowing his carefully arranged plot to carry readers seamlessly from scene to scene. His next project, a new series set in England, is currently in the planning phase and will undergo a six-month preparation before writing officially begins.
Despite his success, Douglas’s journey into writing was not without doubts. Though he grew up with a love for crime fiction—particularly the works of Agatha Christie—it wasn’t until later that he seriously pursued writing. Stephen King’s On Writing played a crucial role in boosting his confidence, offering practical advice alongside encouragement. Douglas still turns to this book for inspiration, finding King’s insights continually refreshing and motivating.
Douglas’s approach is both structured and flexible. Although he begins with a detailed outline, he believes in letting the story evolve as he writes, much like King’s approach of “listening” to the narrative’s natural flow. His writing routine is disciplined yet adaptable, with a daily goal of 750 to 1,000 words, typically penned in the morning when he’s most focused. This balance between planning and organic development allows him to complete a novel in roughly six months.
The character of Bridgette Cash is particularly rewarding for Douglas to write, especially her honesty and vulnerability. Bridgette is portrayed as confident and unaffected by the opinions of others, yet depicting her intelligence subtly was a challenge. Douglas opted to reveal her intellect through the perspectives and responses of other characters, creating a nuanced portrayal of her capabilities, whether in praise or rivalry from her colleagues.
Building and sustaining tension across his novels is another aspect Douglas handles with care, taking time to let plots unfold without rushing revelations. His dedicated planning phase allows for a pace that keeps readers on edge without losing momentum. With ten books to his name, Douglas feels he has honed this skill, though he remains humble, leaving the final judgment to his readers.
Currently, Douglas is developing a new detective series but plans to revisit Bridgette Cash in 2026 with A Cold Day in Hell, where she’ll assist her boss, Felix Delray, who has been wrongfully accused of murder. Fans can look forward to the same suspense and intricate plotting that define Bridgette’s earlier adventures.
Douglas shares valuable advice for aspiring writers. He strongly recommends Stephen King’s On Writing, which was instrumental to him, and encourages new writers to consider self-publishing and starting with a novella. Writing in a series, he notes, can help build a dedicated readership, and he emphasizes the role of beta readers, whose honest feedback has significantly improved his work.
On the role of AI in writing, Douglas sees it as a valuable tool for research and refining rough drafts, especially helpful for a Canadian-based detective series written by an Australian. While he doesn’t use AI for creative aspects, he appreciates how it can enhance efficiency for tasks like researching locations and regional nuances. However, Douglas values the act of writing as an inherently personal endeavor, one he’s not yet ready to fully hand over to machines.
As Douglas continues to craft his stories, readers can look forward to more suspenseful mysteries with Bridgette Cash and new characters alike, his deliberate and well-executed storytelling keeping them engaged from start to finish.
Learn more about Trevor Douglas’ latest books.
