Mystery

Writing Real News vs. Mystery Fiction: When a Reporter Gets to Make Stuff Up

by Our Special Guest | Apr 22, 2019 | Mystery

When reporter RG Belsky gets to make stuff up as a mystery writer, he finds similarities between fiction writing and journalism — starting with these 6 lessons.

An Interview with Paula Munier on Her Launch Day

by Laura DiSilverio | Sep 11, 2018 | Craft, Life, Mystery

Paula Munier—agent, writing teacher, and debut novelist—talks to Career Authors about the challenges of writing a series featuring a dog as a main characters, the challenges of tackling the second book, and how life as a military brat affects the way she writes setting.

Formula for Writing a Cozy Mystery, Part 7: Pets

by Laura DiSilverio | Aug 29, 2018 | Mystery

Cozies and cats go together like peanut butter and jelly or Bert and Ernie. That might make it seem as if you can toss a tabby randomly into your cozy manuscript and your work is done. Not so fast. You have a few decisions to make before plunking a Pekingese into the first paragraph.

Taking over a Series: How to Write As Someone Else

by Our Special Guest | Jun 16, 2018 | Craft, Mystery, Publishing

Do you know Jessica Fletcher? Most people do. But what happens when the original author of a beloved series dies? Learn about writing as someone else.

Formula for Writing a Cozy Mystery, Part 6: The Supporting Cast

by Laura DiSilverio | May 25, 2018 | Mystery

Our ongoing series on the formula for writing a cozy mystery continues with a discussion of how to create a dynamic cast of supporting characters.

Formula for Writing a Cozy Mystery, Part 5: The Antagonist

by Laura DiSilverio | Mar 19, 2018 | Mystery

A unique and compelling antagonist can set your cozy mystery apart from the pack. If you’re writing a cozy mystery, consider these insider tips for developing your antagonist.

Formula for Writing a Cozy Mystery, Part 4: The Murder

by Laura DiSilverio | Feb 5, 2018 | Mystery

Part 4 in the series about writing cozy mysteries, we’ve already discussed the hook, protagonist, and setting. Now, it’s time to dive into the murder itself.

What A Mystery Agent Wants

by Our Special Guest | Jan 12, 2018 | Craft, Mystery, Publishing

New crime writers seem to make the same mistakes over and over. But you can avoid those pitfalls! Get these lessons under your belt, and you’ll have a better shot at attracting an agent’s attention.

Brian Thiem: Crime Novels Have Two Stories

by Our Special Guest | Dec 30, 2017 | Mystery

Every crime novel consists of two main stories: the crook’s and the detective’s. Develop both for a satisfying novel.

Formula for Writing a Cozy Mystery, Part 3: Setting

by Laura DiSilverio | Dec 8, 2017 | Mystery

One aspect of cozies that can set them apart from other mystery genres is the setting. As you begin to develop your cozy mystery series, consider the following tips for constructing an inviting setting that readers will want to revisit.