I'm new in this genre

I need some help, guys. I'm new in this.

I tend to write stuff that is more on the literary fiction side: character driven, not much of a plot, etc. But I'm having this idea about a story that, I guess, it's more on the mystery/thriller side. So I need your help since I'm new in the genre.

Basically, I'll still have my usual setup of several characters (5 at most), and I'm planning on doing more the talking than the actual action. So I guess it won't be your usual thriller. But the things I want to ask is:

- Is it ok to write in the first person? I know it is alright, but I know some genres (such as young adult) are usually written in a certain POV. Does a similar "rule" exist here?

- How boring can I get? lol, joking. What I'm saying is whether it's ok to make this more character based than the mystery based? Basically, the mystery is just a trigger for people's character development, and while it moved the plot it's not the most important.

First person. Absolutely okay. There is no rule here. In fact some great thrillers have been first person. What tense might matter. For more immediacy, consider present tense over the much more common past tense.

How much character? Good question because I am doing exactly the same thing and was about to start a thread on this. Write the book you want to write, and don't worry about being a page turner. I hate that phrase anyway - to me it always sounded like "skimmable". It can be a thriller/lit fiction crossover or a character based thriller. No reason it can't.

Thank you for your reply. While I do enjoy some thrillers and mysteries, it's definitely not my style. The quick prose, lots of action, characters too witty for their won good... Some people can do it wonderfully, but I'm not one of those people.

i'm a newbie also...plot running out of steam.....my novel deals with a kidnapped daughter, mom having trouble getting media attention....basic problem is i don't want her "whining" throughout the book....problem is if she has no idea where her kid is then what actions can she take? so far i have her using social media, amber alert went out, dealing with a detective and talking with a neighbor....help me? and many thanks in advance :-)

James Sallis's career is based on writing mysteries that don't actually have a lot happening in them.