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Writing the mystery: a start-to-finish guide for both novice and professional
Author
Publisher
Intrigue Press
Publication Date
c2001
Language
English
Description
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Table of Contents
From the Book
Introduction to the mystery
Hacking your way into a killer mystery market
Sell to the mainstream, small presses, audio, and e-books
What's a mystery, anyway?
Defining the genres
The Chinese law of secrecy
A key to keeping the writing engine revved
The plot's the thing
To outline or not to outline? (A good question)
Pre-plotting essentials, chapter organization, and proposals
The starter's pistol
Beginning the mystery that has a chance for publication
The investigation follows
Indispensable story arcs, conflict, and plot development
The killer unmasked
Revealing secrets and building the novel's conclusion
The old red herring and other necessary tricks
Proven plot devices
Accessories to the fact
Plot vs. character
Balancing your mystery to meet editors' demands
The "who's" in the whodunit
What makes viable primary and secondary characters?
Offering testimony
Effective dialogue explained
The scene of the crime
Setting and atmosphere
Pinning down the details
How to cultivate the research habit
The stolen kiss
Adding romance to your mystery, but judiciously
The bloody deed
Violence is an integral part of the mystery genre
Similar offenses
Mysteries come in an abbreviated form
Short stories and other mystery variations
A strategy for writing the mystery short
From idea to finalization
Five specific clues to the crime brief
What short mystery fiction requires in order to work
Getting the story straight
Now, maximize your writing sizzle
Techniques that improve your writing presentation
Sweating on a chain gang
Exercises to add impact and polish
Eight common writer misdemeanors
Mistakes to avoid
Logical consistency counts
Maintaining rationality on all levels
To vary forms is very important
An essential for spicing up your narrative style
Get the dead out
Avoid passive writing by developing active voice
The writer sings
Your voice is unique
Time off for self-editing
Tips for revising
After the fact
The author's summation
How to summarize the mystery so you can sell
The hired gun
Acquiring an agent, what to expect from the relationship
Submitting the package
Prepare your novel for submission
Taking out a contract
What to consider before signing
Joining a gang
Mystery writing groups for networking fun
Taking the rap
Promote your mystery as only you can
Private security detail
Avoid the ever-present pitfalls of publishing schemes
Keeping a series alive
Longevity means skillful innovation
On the witness stand
For the record
Author interviews
and their advice to new writers: Elmore Leonard ; Dale Furutani ; Sujata Massey ; William Kent Krueger ; Laura Lippman ; S. J. Rozan ; Linda Fairstein ; Larry Karp ; Rick Riordan ; Seymour Shubin ; Kris Neri
Under interrogation
A final deposition
Frequently asked questions, answered by the author
Index.
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Author Notes
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ISBN
9781890768362
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