ZARA ALTAIR AUTHOR
  • Home
  • Books
    • FAQ
  • Write Time Blog
    • Writing on Writing
  • Write a Killer Mystery
    • Join the Killer Mystery List
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Books
    • FAQ
  • Write Time Blog
    • Writing on Writing
  • Write a Killer Mystery
    • Join the Killer Mystery List
  • Contact
Homepage > Creating Characters
triangle mystery base; victim villain sleuth
November 30, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Mystery writing

The Mystery’s Magic Character Triangle

Your mystery balances on the character triangle of victim, villain, and sleuth. Each must be equally strong for your story to work.


Read More
man running vigorously
November 23, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Mystery writing, Novel Writing

When Characters Run Wild with Your Story

What to do when a character starts taking over your story.


Read More
drawing of two children on teeter totter
October 19, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Mystery writing, Plot

How To Balance Character and Plot in a Mystery Novel

Techniques for balancing plot and character by planning and then writing scene-by-scene.


Read More
hands reaching for support
August 24, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Dialogue, Mystery writing

Your Mystery’s Supporting Characters

5 basics to creating supporting characters. How they interact with your sleuth and suspects to move the story forward.


Read More
man wearing sunglasses smoking a cigar with the word suspect
August 17, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Mystery writing

No Suspects, No Mystery

Character development for mystery suspects is key to creating a difficult puzzle for your sleuth, and your reader.


Read More
man peering through magnifying glass
July 13, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Creating Characters, Mystery writing, Plot

Wants and Needs: Why Readers Love Your Sleuth

External wants and internal needs combine to enrich your character and drive a strong story.


Read More
two vintage Volkswagens in a field
July 7, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Backstory, Creating Characters, Mystery writing, Plot, Point Of View, Story Structure

Plot or Characters? What Drives Your Mystery?

Story development on plot and characters enriches reader engagement and helps you write faster.


Read More
man looking skeptical
June 1, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Creating Characters, Dialogue, Mystery writing, Subtext

Suspects and Subtext

Subtext is any content which is not announced explicitly. Baffle your sleuth and your reader with suspect subtext.


Read More
woman thinking
April 29, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Creating Characters, Mystery writing

Enrich Your Characters with Opinions

Create relatable characters by giving them opinions.


Read More
man in shadows
February 17, 2020  |  Posted By Zara Altair  |  In Author Learning, Creating Characters

How to Keep Your Mystery Villain a Secret To Surprise Your Reader at The End

Tips to plant clues about your villain but leaving the reveal to your sleuth.


Read More
←Prev Page
123
Next Page→

Share this page

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
write a killer mystery online course

GET MORE MYSTERY NEWS!

Join the fans of Argolicus-

Recent Posts

  • Get to Know Your Author Voice
  • How to Control Narrative Pacing in Your Novel
  • How to Choose Your Story Point of View
  • How To Work Twists, Turns, and Reveals in Your Mystery
  • Who’s On First In Your Story?

Categories

  • Audiobook
  • Author Bio
  • Author Interview
  • Author Learning
  • Author Platform
  • Author Voice
  • Author Website
  • Background Reserch
  • Backstory
  • Book Cover
  • Book Launch
  • Character Development
  • Creating Characters
  • Dialogue
  • Editing
  • Email for Authors
  • Ending
  • Historical Mystery
  • Mystery Genre
  • Mystery writing
  • Narrative Pacing
  • Novel Writing
  • Plot
  • Point Of View
  • Scenes
  • Setting
  • Story Outline Template
  • Story Scene
  • Story Setting
  • Story Structure
  • Subplot
  • Subtext
  • Tension
  • The Hero
  • The Peach Widow
  • The Used Virgin
  • Time Passage
  • Timeline
  • Title
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing Craft
  • Zara Altair

Join the Mystery Writers Studio Facebook Group

mystery writers studio cover
  • Books
  • Write Time Blog
  • Writing on Writing
  • Join the Killer Mystery List
  • Author Interviews
  • FAQ
  • Contact

Copyright © 2020 Zara Altair. Privacy Policy. All Rights Reserved

flowww uses Let's Encrypt SSL certificates