Difference Between Evidence, Clues, and Red Herrings
Clues, Evidence, and red herrings in a mystery explained. Learn the difference to use them well in your novel.
Get Unpredictable with Your Scenes
Techniques to make novel scenes unpredictable with omission and surprise.
What Makes a Mystery a Mystery?
Mystery readers have expectations. Use these 10 elemental mystery tropes, to give them what they want while writing a great story.
Dig Into Dialogue
Dialogue is story action. Dig into your characters so they say the words that move the story.
How The Look of Your Story Affects Readers
Discover two craft elements that help your readers enjoy your book. Readability provides clarity to even the deepest subject and short paragraphs guide their eyes down the page.
Master the Mystery Novel Midpoint
Create a midpoint reversal to add tension, raise the story stakes, and lead the story in a new direction toward the conclusion.
Tips to create the midpoint middle.
How to Expand Your Story Idea
A story idea isn’t a novel yet. Steps to flesh out your idea into a solid novel plan.
Does Your Mystery Sleuth Need a Character Arc?
Your mystery detective may not need a character emotional arc, but you do need to build emotional connection with your reader.
A strong character background filled with details and scene writing that incorporates emotional dynamics are the key.
Understand The Inciting Incident
The role of the inciting incident in your story structure and how to write one that works.
Mystery Writer Stumbling Blocks
Four major stumbling blocks to writing a mystery novel.