Writing Mysteries : A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America

by Grafton, Sue; Burke, Jan; Zeman, Barry; Mystery Writers of America

• ISBN13: 9781582971452
• ISBN10: 1582971455
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: F & W Pubns Inc

Summary

Top mystery writers share insights and advice on writing for the genre, discussing how to develop ideas and characters, pacing and suspense, editing and revising work, and submitting manuscripts.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Preparation
The Rules and How to Bend Them	p. 6
Sparks, Triggers, and Flashes	p. 13
On Work Schedules	p. 20
Writing With a Partner, or ... What Part of "No" Don't You Understand?	p. 26
Expertise and Research	p. 33
Where Do I Find a Jewish Indian? or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Research	p. 41
Background, Location, and Setting	p. 48
The Process
The Beginning
Characterization	p. 57
Rounding Up Your Characters	p. 65
Writing a Series Character	p. 72
The Amateur Sleuth	p. 79
Vivid Villains	p. 86
In Search of a Novel	p. 91
Building Without Blueprints	p. 98
Outlining	p. 105
Perspectives on Point of View	p. 112
Dress for Success: Developing Your Personal Style	p. 121
The Middle
How to Write Convincing Dialogue	p. 129
Pacing and Suspense	p. 139
Depiction of Violence	p. 148
Clues, Red Herrings, and Other Plot Devices	p. 160
The Book Stops Here	p. 166
The End
In the Beginning Is the End	p. 173
Revision	p. 180
How to Find and Work With an Agent	p. 190
Dial M for Market	p. 197
The Mystery Novel From an Editor's Point of View	p. 205
Specialties
Writing Mysteries for Young Readers	p. 217
The Joys and Challenges of the Short Story	p. 224
The Medical Thriller	p. 233
Legal Thrillers	p. 240
Historical Mysteries: The Past Is a Foreign Country	p. 246
From the Cradle to the Pen: The Evolution of a True Crime Writer	p. 253
E-Media--Crime Fiction E-Volves	p. 262
The Best of the Genre and a Reference List of Books on Writing and Technical Information	p. 271
About the Contributors	p. 293
Index	p. 305
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