Lies, Damn Lies, and Useful Misrememberings
In a very early draft of my first novel, A Dream of Death, one of my beta readers said of[…]
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Category: Writing
Criminal Procedure for Mystery Writers
If your story includes a criminal prosecution, here is information you might find useful. Investigation Long before a case goes[…]
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Mystery of the Missing Payoff
I write mysteries and romances. And as a pantser, I don’t plan my books. I just sit down with an[…]
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Mystery Writing: Sidekicks
Sleuths and sidekicks, then and now. A look at how McDonald and Dodds inverts tropes.
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The Mystery of Desire
Why 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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Puzzling it Out
Ask any author. Writing is hard. And every author develops their own process or ritual for keeping their butt in[…]
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The Pinecone Method of Plotting
What is the pinecone method of plotting, you ask? You’re probably picturing a complex chart with technical terminology and arrows pointing up and down.
Trust me, it isn’t that complicated.
On Writing: The Flawed Protagonist
Numerous times I’ve seen readers roll their eyes and say, “Oh, no, not another recovering alcoholic detective.” I get that.
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The Physical Act of Writing
Writing can be exorbitantly taxing on the body. From magnetic keyboards to stretching, there are ways to alleviate the aches and pains that accompany regular hours spent at a desk. Read on to find out how.
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Creating Characters: No Right Way
Creating living, breathing characters that readers can love or hate and identify with is a huge part of every author’s[…]
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