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Mystery writing | Plot

After the Midpoint Avoid the Muddle

ByZara Altair August 31, 2020October 26, 2021

Tips to add excitement and mystery after the novel midpoint. How to focus on each section instead of rushing to the end.

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Author Learning | Creating Characters

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

ByZara Altair February 17, 2020October 26, 2021

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

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Author Learning | Mystery writing | Writing Craft

How to Introduce Your Detective to Devoted Mystery Readers

ByZara Altair February 5, 2020October 26, 2021

Without an immediate connection with your sleuth, a reader is not motivated to follow them solving the puzzle in the rest of your novel.

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Keep Your Mystery Reader Guessing
Author Learning | Mystery writing

Keep Your Mystery Reader Guessing

ByZara Altair December 3, 2019October 26, 2021

Tips on using characters, twists, and clues to keep your mystery reader guessing until the end.

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Location Scout for Your Story
Setting

Location Scout for Your Story

ByZara Altair November 20, 2019October 26, 2021

How to gather story setting details and use them in your mystery to keep your reader engaged.

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Backstory

How to Work Backstory into Your Mystery

ByZara Altair October 21, 2019October 26, 2021

What Came Before Every character arrives in your story with backstory. Backstory is what came before in their lives before the story begins. Long ago or maybe just last week, something happened that impacted your character. In a mystery, you need to know the backstory of your sleuth and each of the suspects, including the…

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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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