Plot, Structure, and Beats
Structure, Plot, and Beats: what are they, what is the difference, and are they necessary? Asking for a friend.
Read moreA Blog for Readers and Writers of Mystery, Crime, and Suspense Fiction
Structure, Plot, and Beats: what are they, what is the difference, and are they necessary? Asking for a friend.
Read moreI’m on a mission to find a set of common denominators that make characters generally beloved.
Read moreWhat are we going to do when machines become better at all things creative than we are? When they dream for us?
Read moreSometimes writing what you know too well can leave readers scratching their heads. How to strike a balance between too deep of a dive and a fascinating peek?
Read moreBy Matt Witten. Here I was, two thirds of the way through the first draft of my mystery thriller Killer Story, and doubt held me in its iron grip. Had I chosen the wrong murderer?
Read moreAnd then my publisher said something that took me completely off guard, “When can we expect the sequel?”
Read moreYes, I’m making lists. Aren’t we all? I read a lot this year, as I always do. Most of the books I read were digital and at least half of everything I consumed was an audio book. Not all were released in 2022. These are just the ones that made my life better because they exist.
So here, in no specific order, are 5 books I loved the most:
Read moreWho Wrote a Novel This Month? According to various statistics, between 350,000 and 450,000 writers banged out a draft for NaNoWriMo.
Read moreWhy do readers fall in love with flawed characters? Is there something about the ones readers love that is a common denominator?
Read moreWhy character motivations can be more important than plot, and how desire drives both. Read on for a handy chart to help if you’re stuck.
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