Writing Mystery
Happy May!
It's starting to feel like Spring here in Canada, but it probably won't last long. We really only have two seasons: Winter and Summer.
In book-related news, I finished editing my horror novel, PHOBIA! I just need to do one last round of proofreading and then it'll be sent off to literary agents. I have a really good feeling about this one!
Now that I'm mostly finished, it's freed my schedule to allow me to start writing JESSICA PRINCE AND THE CRIMSON CAPER, my first YA mystery novel, tomorrow. I'm really excited about it!
I've done a lot of research on writing mystery, and I'd like to share some advice with you. If you ever want to write a mystery novel or short story - whether or not it includes a murder - here's what you should keep in mind:
1. Get To The Mystery Quickly
There's nothing worse than a slow book, but especially when it comes to mystery. When writing your first chapter, don't bore the reader with useless background information. Get to the mystery right away, whether it happens to be a dead body or a jewel heist! Start with a bang and make sure to keep the story moving. Something important should happen in every chapter that furthers the plot - both the main plot and sub-plots.
2. Get The Main Character Invested
Whether your protagonist is a seasoned detective or an amateur sleuth, you need to find a reason for their motivation. Why do they want to solve this crime? Do they know the victim? Do they feel obligated to help? Give them a reason to be interested!
3. Try To Surprise Your Readers
The best part of a mystery novel is trying to figure out who did it. Mystery readers are really hard to fool, but it is possible. Throw out some red herrings - clues that mislead the readers. Set up a lot of evidence against a character who's innocent. Maybe the detective even thinks it's them! It's important to stay one step ahead of your audience with plot twists and false information.
4. Avoid Stereotypes and Cliches
The butler did it. How many times has that been used before? It's tempting to use ideas that have worked in the past, but mystery readers want something new and unique. Avoid using dark alleys or common locations, like the train in Murder on the Orient Express. Try to think outside the box!
5. The Main Character Is The Most Important Person
Yes, the victim will play a big role in your story, but your focus should be on your protagonist. How do they solve the crime? How is it different from someone else? How do they find the clues? And how do they grow at the end of the case? A homicide detective in New York City will solve a murder much differently than a librarian - and they'll have different resources at their disposal, too.
6. Don't Forget About Minor Characters
Who does your protagonist go to for advice or help? A geeky best friend? A local Sheriff? Who will help them if they get stuck or end up in danger? It's important to analyze the people in your protagonist's life - from their parents to their friends and enemies - to see how they enrich the story and your protagonist's point of view.
7. Clues, Clues, Clues
Clues are SO important. I recommend keeping a list of potential clues and red herrings for your story. A clue can come from the crime scene, witness testimony, or the criminal themselves. You'll need to sprinkle these clues throughout the story so the readers can wonder who did it.
8. Know The Ending At The Beginning
This is really important when you begin a mystery story. You must know who did it, first and foremost. The 'why', 'how', 'where', and 'when' are also equally important. It's tempting to wing it and see who the criminal might be as the story progresses, but it flows much better when you already know who's guilty.
With all of these tips, it's important to know one last thing about mystery writing: it should be fun! If you're not having fun writing it, the audience won't have fun reading it. (That's true about any genre, really!) Try not to stress too much, and remember, a bad first draft is always better than a nonexistent one.
Good luck and happy mystery writing!
Thanks for reading,
Dana
It's starting to feel like Spring here in Canada, but it probably won't last long. We really only have two seasons: Winter and Summer.
In book-related news, I finished editing my horror novel, PHOBIA! I just need to do one last round of proofreading and then it'll be sent off to literary agents. I have a really good feeling about this one!
Now that I'm mostly finished, it's freed my schedule to allow me to start writing JESSICA PRINCE AND THE CRIMSON CAPER, my first YA mystery novel, tomorrow. I'm really excited about it!
I've done a lot of research on writing mystery, and I'd like to share some advice with you. If you ever want to write a mystery novel or short story - whether or not it includes a murder - here's what you should keep in mind:
1. Get To The Mystery Quickly
There's nothing worse than a slow book, but especially when it comes to mystery. When writing your first chapter, don't bore the reader with useless background information. Get to the mystery right away, whether it happens to be a dead body or a jewel heist! Start with a bang and make sure to keep the story moving. Something important should happen in every chapter that furthers the plot - both the main plot and sub-plots.
2. Get The Main Character Invested
Whether your protagonist is a seasoned detective or an amateur sleuth, you need to find a reason for their motivation. Why do they want to solve this crime? Do they know the victim? Do they feel obligated to help? Give them a reason to be interested!
3. Try To Surprise Your Readers
The best part of a mystery novel is trying to figure out who did it. Mystery readers are really hard to fool, but it is possible. Throw out some red herrings - clues that mislead the readers. Set up a lot of evidence against a character who's innocent. Maybe the detective even thinks it's them! It's important to stay one step ahead of your audience with plot twists and false information.
4. Avoid Stereotypes and Cliches
The butler did it. How many times has that been used before? It's tempting to use ideas that have worked in the past, but mystery readers want something new and unique. Avoid using dark alleys or common locations, like the train in Murder on the Orient Express. Try to think outside the box!
5. The Main Character Is The Most Important Person
Yes, the victim will play a big role in your story, but your focus should be on your protagonist. How do they solve the crime? How is it different from someone else? How do they find the clues? And how do they grow at the end of the case? A homicide detective in New York City will solve a murder much differently than a librarian - and they'll have different resources at their disposal, too.
6. Don't Forget About Minor Characters
Who does your protagonist go to for advice or help? A geeky best friend? A local Sheriff? Who will help them if they get stuck or end up in danger? It's important to analyze the people in your protagonist's life - from their parents to their friends and enemies - to see how they enrich the story and your protagonist's point of view.
7. Clues, Clues, Clues
Clues are SO important. I recommend keeping a list of potential clues and red herrings for your story. A clue can come from the crime scene, witness testimony, or the criminal themselves. You'll need to sprinkle these clues throughout the story so the readers can wonder who did it.
8. Know The Ending At The Beginning
This is really important when you begin a mystery story. You must know who did it, first and foremost. The 'why', 'how', 'where', and 'when' are also equally important. It's tempting to wing it and see who the criminal might be as the story progresses, but it flows much better when you already know who's guilty.
With all of these tips, it's important to know one last thing about mystery writing: it should be fun! If you're not having fun writing it, the audience won't have fun reading it. (That's true about any genre, really!) Try not to stress too much, and remember, a bad first draft is always better than a nonexistent one.
Good luck and happy mystery writing!
Thanks for reading,
Dana
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