1. First, read widely. It will help you become a better
writer. That’s my number one tip.
2. Read lots of mystery novels. Okay, does this sound a
little simplistic? It’s still good advice. There are many subdivisions in
this particular genre. There are also many cross-genre categories as well.
So you better like reading mysteries or don’t even think to write one.
3. In a mystery novel, your main protagonist is the
detective. He or she should be introduced early. Avoid providing too much
back story. Keep the plot moving along. Characters should be developed
through what they say, do and think. Hints to background make characters
more interesting and mysterious. So don’t give away too much too soon.
4. Make certain your suspects are introduced early as
well and appear a number of times throughout your novel. They need
development too.
5. It’s suggested that the crime be a murder and be
introduced in the first three chapters to hook the reader. Study writers
like John Grisham. He has a talent for hooking readers immediately with
strong beginnings.
6. The crime needs to be presented in a believable
manner. This doesn’t necessarily mean excessive gore. However, you should
become familiar with police procedures for the sake of authenticity even
if you are not writing a police procedural. When weapons are used,
research them so you don’t make errors. Agents and editors who specialize
in crime fiction will immediately brand you as an amateur and reject your
work if your writing is inaccurate.
7. Don’t reveal your perp before the denouement, or reveal close
to it if you’re writing a whodunit.
8. If you are writing a romantic mystery novel, make
certain that the love story plot is of secondary importance. Don’t allow
the romance to overpower the mystery. Likewise, if you’re writing romantic
suspense, be aware that the romance is of more consequence than the
mystery. In this case, end with the love story resolved.
9. Create well-rounded characters. Who are they? What is
their motivation? What do they look like? What’s distinctive about their
speech patterns and mannerisms? Keep a notebook
delineating each character in the novel. Select names with care. They should be
appropriate for the characters.
- Setting is important in the mystery or suspense
novel. Choose a place you know something about. Maybe you’ve lived there. Maybe you only
visited. But you need some sort of
association because the place must have an aura of reality to be
believable. My Kim Reynolds mysteries are set in Central New
Jersey because that’s where I lived for most of my life.
- Your plot needs to have pacing. Watch out for
midsection drag! That’s a common problem with many novels. Your book must
never become dull or predictable. How to avoid this problem? Dialogue
should be clever and entertaining, never wooden. Mysteries should be
page-turners even if they’re not suspense thrillers. Add another murder.
Place your detective in danger or your heroine in jeopardy. Even if you’re
writing a cozy, there’s no excuse for being boring. A little humor
enlivens the story. I also suggest doing at least a rough outline. You can
always make changes as needed, but you should have a working outline. I’ve
done this with every one of my mystery novels. It makes for crisper writing.
- Every novel
needs a theme, a unifying idea that has significance. It should be
inferred rather than stated directly. However, hints of it can be given in
the dialog between main characters.
- Write the unique novel only you can write. Observe
the conventions of the genre without copying or plagiarizing the work of
others.
- Discipline yourself to spend a certain amount of time
writing each day. Do not allow excuses. Finish your novel. Then put it
away for a few months. Don’t just write your novel, edit it. The hard part
has come, put on your editor eyeglasses and truly see your work. No doubt
you will find many errors. Correct them.
- When you finally begin submitting your novel to
agents and editors, expect rejection. If they are generous enough to make
suggestions for change, pay attention. Publishing is a tough business. Don’t
get discouraged.
That’s all I have
to say for now. There are tons of blogs like this one on the internet.
Some offer
excellent writing suggestions. Others will list agents and publishers that are
open to new work. With hard work and determination, you should be able to sell
your novel. I intend to blog on writer resources in the future. So come back.
I’m
open to both comments and questions. If you have something to say, please feel
free.
