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Grandma and Grandpa needed some extra care these past two weeks, and honestly, I've been on overload and feeling kind of brain-dead. Which, of course, got me thinking about brains.

Did you know octopuses have NINE brains? One main brain, plus eight smaller ones—one in each arm. Each arm can think independently. It can taste, react to danger, and even grab food without waiting for instructions from headquarters.

Handy when you can't decide on popcorn, pop, or candy during movie night, right?

The Writer's Dilemma

You know me—one thought led to another, and suddenly I'm connecting sea creatures to my writing process. But here's the thing: writing action scenes in my Shadow Defense Security Thriller series actually requires that same multi-brain thinking.

When I'm crafting a fight scene, I have to track multiple "brains" simultaneously:

• Character A's weapon position and next move

• Character B's defensive strategy

• Environmental obstacles and cover options

• Dialogue that reveals character under pressure

• Pacing that keeps readers' hearts racing

• Technical accuracy that thriller readers demand

The Choreography Challenge

For my latest release, Shadowed Intentions, I spent hours choreographing each fight scene. I wanted every confrontation in the action thriller to feel authentic and intense.

I literally acted out movements in my living room, researched weapon specifications, and mapped locations to ensure the geography made sense. One intense fight sequence took me an entire afternoon to write because I had to coordinate what felt like nine different 'brains'—each character's actions, reactions, weapons, positioning, and split-second decisions.

Why It Matters

This octopus-inspired approach pays off in reader experience. When every element of an action scene works together seamlessly, readers don't just read the action—they feel it. They're ducking behind cover with my characters, holding their breath during tense moments, and cheering when the good guys win.

The Takeaway

The best writing process happens when we do our homework first. Just like that octopus coordinating multiple brains, successful thriller writing techniques require coordinating multiple research elements - timelines, locations, character backgrounds, and technical details - before the actual writing begins.

Now I have octopuses on my brain... sigh. I'll need to take a break from writing and pick up some calamari.

Ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride through paradise turned deadly? Grab your copy of my octopus-inspired new release, Shadowed Intentions… https://maverye.com/amazonintentions