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Writing Craft

Writing Vacation: The Second Week

ByZara Altair December 5, 2022December 5, 2022

Week two of my author writing vacation process.

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Mystery writing

Writers Write: Set Up Your Writing Life

ByZara Altair October 11, 2022October 11, 2022

How to go from story planning to writing your first draft to create your writing life.

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Mystery writing

How to Create A  Mystery Puzzle Readers Will Love

ByZara Altair August 29, 2022August 29, 2022

A quick guide to the elements for a mystery writer to use to create a puzzling mystery.

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Mystery writing

How To Finish Your First Mystery Novel

ByZara Altair March 29, 2022March 29, 2022

Tips for beginning mystery writers to finish the novel. Steps to support the big project, long-haul writing that gets you to The End.

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Five characters in a lineup from the film The Usual Suspects.
Creating Characters | Mystery writing

Mystery Suspects: 3 Clues to Managing Suspects in Your Mystery to Keep Readers Going to The End

ByZara Altair September 28, 2021

How to refine your mystery suspects for the best reader engagement.

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three happy children represent three ways to write a first draft
Writing Craft

Three Ways to Write Your Novel’s First Draft

ByZara Altair September 7, 2021

Introduction to three approaches to complete a first draft of your mystery novel

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Author Platform | Mystery Genre

Mystery Author, Be On Target to Engage Your Loyal Reader

ByZara Altair August 2, 2021

First marketing steps to tie your reader to your mystery.

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suspects at table in the film Ronin
Character Development | Creating Characters | Mystery writing | Supporting Characters

The Challenge to Create Your Mystery Suspects

ByZara Altair July 26, 2021

Why understanding each suspect’s relationship to the victim, builds suspense in your mystery novel.

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man thinking with computer on lap
Mystery writing | Novel Writing

Stop Overthinking Your Story

ByZara Altair November 16, 2020October 26, 2021

Planning makes writing go faster. But sometimes it feels as though you’re trying to squeeze your story into a plot structure. You are overthinking your story.

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mysterious woman peering out of shattered foreground
Mystery Genre | Mystery writing

Is Your Mystery a Mystery?

ByZara Altair September 28, 2020October 26, 2021

The genre differences between mystery, suspense, and thriller. Plus ten mystery elements you need to include in your mystery novel.

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Recent Posts

  • Create Your Stand-out Detective: A Guide for Mystery Writers
  • The Sleuth’s Eye: How Self-Editing Improves Your Mystery Writing
  • From Idea to Icon: Create Your Standout Mystery Detective
  • Character Chemistry: How Supporting Characters Fuel Your Mystery Narrative
  • The Mystery Novel Ending: Wrap-Up After the Big Reveal

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