Book Description
Edgar award nominee James N. Frey, author of the internationally best-selling books on the craft of writing, How to Write a Damn Good Novel, How to Write a Damn Good Novel II: Advanced Techniques, and The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth, has now written what is certain to become the standard "how to" book for mystery writing, How to Write a Damn Good Mystery.Frey urges writers to aim high-not to try to write a good-enough-to-get-published mystery, but a damn good mystery. A damn good mystery is first a dramatic novel, Frey insists-a dramatic novel with living, breathing characters-and he shows his readers how to create a living, breathing, believable character who will be clever and resourceful, willful and resolute, and will be what Frey calls "the author of the plot behind the plot."Frey then shows, in his well-known, entertaining, and accessible (and often humorous) style , how the characters-the entire ensemble, including the murderer, the detective, the authorities, the victims, the suspects, the witnesses and the bystanders-create a complete and coherent world.Exploring both the on-stage action and the behind-the-scenes intrigue, Frey shows prospective writers how to build a fleshed-out, believable, and logical world. He shows them exactly which parts of that world show up in the pages of a damn good mystery-and which parts are held back just long enough to keep the reader guessing.This is an indispensable step-by-step guide for anyone who's ever dreamed of writing a damn good mystery.
Customer Reviews:
How to do a "Who Did It".......2007-07-11
For any avid mystery reader and frustrated mystery writer like me, this book is a treat. It analyzes the structure and content of mysteries in an entertaining and informative manner. The author teaches writing courses and knows how to explain his ideas clearly and simply. It is easy to imagine him performing in front of his students, mixing humor with sound advice. The only doubt I have in recommending this book is that after reading it, a mystery reader will always be aware of how the author of the mystery uses the formulas detailed in the book and this might prove distracting. Kind of like finding out how a magic trick is accomplished, thus losing the magic and being left with only the trick. Certainly for an aspiring mystery writer the book is perfect.
Hmmm.......2007-07-06
It's too bad Frey wastes all of his bluster and energy on this stuff instead of writing real books.
A great guide for a mystery author to follow.......2007-05-16
I bought this book when it came out, based on the strength of Frey's previous guide "How to write a damn good novel" and I was not disappointed. Despite the similar titles, this book focuses in on the salient things particular to the mystery genre. He touches on several subjects, ranging from the four pillars of mystery to how to become intimate with a murderer to how to craft strong endlines for each of your chapters. The book echoes his previous works, but that in no way detracts from all the new stuff he presents. It is a good read, and I found it extremely helpful to my writing.
If you want to write a mystery novel, buy this book, and read it.
King of the How-tos.......2007-05-04
I have been writing for 28 years and I admit I'm not God, but after reading over 300 writing books, most of them I own, I can unequivocally tell you that this one is tops!
Please read it. It anwers all your questions and shows you exactly what to do then what to do next.
If you don't find this book helpful, send it to me and I'll save it for you until you are serious about your work.
It also works up an exciting novel to show you how it's done, and will fire you up while entertaining you.
Joan of Art
A Practical Guide.......2007-03-31
I really liked this book. You read right along with the author as he creates a mystery novel, step by step. He teaches you how to create characters with depth by writing a detailed background and having your characters write a journal. He starts with the murderer, the plot behind the plot, then takes you on to your hero/detective and each of your other characters. You learn to write a plot by using a stepsheet. I especially found helpful the fact that you write a stepsheet for what the reader sees and what the reader does not see (what is happening offstage). You learn about the five act design in which a mystery novel is divided. The author then gives helpful pointers in writing good prose, writing the mystery scene, choosing viewpoint, the final steps in rewriting, and then some words on marketing your novel. I found this book enjoyable to read and very helpful in writing a mystery or any novel. It's one of the best "How to Write" books I've read because it's so practical in how it teaches you to write a mystery novel. It would be a great resource in any writer's library.
Book Description
WHODUNIT? YOUDUNIT!
So you want to write a mystery. There's more to it than just a detective, a dead body, and Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with the candlestick. Fortunately, Larry Beinhart--Edgar Award-winning author of You Get What You Pay For, Foreign Exchange, and American Hero--has taken a break from writing smart, suspenseful thrillers to act as your guide through all the twists and turns of creating the twists and turns of a good mystery.
Drawing on advice and examples from a host of the best names in mystery writing--from Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane to Scott Turow and Thomas Harris--plus some of his own prime plots, Larry Beinhart introduces you to your most indispensable partners in crime:
*Character, plot, and procedure
* The secrets to creating heroes, heroines, and villains ("All writers draw upon themselves and their experience. While the whole of yourself might not be capable of being either a serial killer or an FBI agent, there are parts in each of us that are capable of almost anything.")
* The fine art of scripting the sex scene
*The low-down on violence ("A crime novel without violence is like smoking pot without inhaling, sex without orgasm, or a hug without a squeeze." )
*And much more!
From the opening hook to the final denouement, Larry Beinhart takes the mystery out of being a mystery writer.
Customer Reviews:
Frank and informative.......2006-08-23
If nothing else, books on writing can help jumpstart your engine when writing. Mr. Beinhart's contribution to helping writers is a whodoesit (discussion on mystery writers) and a howdoit (on writing a mystery), and offers some thought-provoking insights.
General.......2006-01-02
This book falls into the big category: Too general and vague to be any good for a mystery writer.
Sure, it holds some information about good writing, but for that purpose there are tons of better books. As for mystery, this book does not give you any good plotting instructions, any good storytelling etc.
Buy another book or save your money.
Helpful, witty, and wonderful, but biased--not for cozies!.......2003-03-19
The things I love about this book are that it's clever, formally interesting, and fun to read, and that it is irreverent. It doesn't tell you to scrutinize the market and write only the sort of book that is viable and popular. It identifies the structures and details that make for pleasurable reading, and it encourages you to be innovative and unique. It sets you in the direction of thinking about the specific choices you've made for your book and how you can make them more compelling. However, this book should be called How to Write a Crime Novel, since the author is not concerned with traditional cozy mysteries--a huge portion of the mystery market, I would imagine--and admits that he doesn't understand their appeal. I would guess that if you are interested in hard-boiled crime fiction, you could get a whole education about its best and brightest here, since Beinhart's examples and analysis mine hard-boiled fiction for some amazing and entertaining material. He also offers many lists of exemplary hard-boiled writers and books. But the things the author says about cozies (and quotes others as saying about them) are unjustifiably paltry and cliched. As someone who is trying to write a cozy mystery series, I found this book extremely helpful, but not ideal.
Excellent Writer--Excellent Read (highly recommend).......2002-09-09
... Even though this book is specifically for writing mysteries,
it is by far the best of all the writing books I have.
Besides being a great writer, which makes this book a quick and enjoyable read, Larry gives practicle advice, inspiration, examples, and walks you through each step of writing a mystery.
I've put aside all other writing books and I'm reading this one for the second time.
It is well worth the money.
I Agree ... One of the Best.......2002-02-09
This is a great book for both the beginner and the experience writer. It walks you through the process without holding your hand. Outlining the process from start to finish it can help the self-taught refresh their memories and to double check themsleves while providing a start to finish map for the new author to follow. Even for those who don't need the information contained within its covers, this is a good read that makes you think about the subject.
Book Description
Edgar Allan Poe Award winner, Pulitzer Prize nominee, and best-selling author John McAleer, Ph.D. (Harvard), taught crime fiction at Boston College for nearly four decades, nurturing authors like George V. Higgins (The Friends of Eddie Coyle), Chuck Hogan (The Standoff), Margaret McLean (Under Oath), James Devlin (Elmore Leonard), and Ted Murphy (the "Belltown Mysteries"). Now he and his son, Andrew McAleer-also a mystery author and Professor of Crime Fiction at Boston College-share the secrets, techniques and art of crafting the mystery novel. Mystery Writing in a Nutshell is an invaluable resource which, step-by-step, takes the writer through the mystery-writing process from creating suspense and strategizing plot twists to hiding clues and enriching character development and much more. With this guide to mystery writing at your side, it is only a matter of time before your novel is afoot! ABOUT THE AUTHORS John McAleer is the Edgar Allan Poe Award-winning author of Rex Stout: A Majesty's Life and a best-selling author of fifteen other books including the critically-acclaimed mystery, Coign of Vantage. A Professor of English Literature at Harvard and, later, Boston College for more than half a century, Professor McAleer also worked as an editor of The Armchair Detective, served as a vice president of the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Andrew McAleer is the author of three mystery novels and serves as the president of America's oldest continuing literary society, the Boston Authors Club. He teaches Crime Fiction at Boston College, is a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the editor of the award-winning Crimestalker Casebook and a recipient of the Sherlock Holmes Revere Bowl Award. Mr. McAleer practices law privately in Massachusetts. Edward D. Hoch is a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, an Edgar Allan Poe Award-winning author and one of the most prolific writers in the crime fiction genre. A tireless contributor to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mr. Hoch served as president of the MWA and was the 1991 guest of honor at Bouchercon.
Customer Reviews:
Why this book should be required reading for all mystery writers!.......2007-10-10
As an avid mystery reader (from Doyle to Fforde), I did not expect to find this peak behind the curtain to be so enlightening or entertaining. Mystery Writing in a Nutshell should be required reading (and kept handy as a reference guide) for anyone who is a mystery lover and/or writing/editing a mystery or supsense novel. I have been disappointed too many times by mystery writers who do not follow these most basic of rules (to paraphase, if sex is not important to the plot, don't use it). As a result, I don't seek out their next book.
Thanks to the authors for giving me an insight as to why I love the authors I do (and what they have done correctly to earn that esteem)!
Short but Sweet.......2007-10-04
This book was concise and full of helpful hints. The book was organized like a college professor organizing his lecture notes, which not all readers will appreciate. I would recommend this book as a companion to a meatier book on writing mysteries as there is not a lot of detail on voice and character development and such.
100-Page List of Cliches.......2007-10-02
Although previous reviews suggest otherwise, this book does not contain any substantial guidance on structuring a plot, creating suspense, developing characters, or, really, writing a mystery at all. It is a rambling list of to-dos and to-don'ts, nearly all of which are either basic common sense (hide clues, be accurate, don't cheat the ending) or cringe-inducing (incorporate advertising copy into dialogue, give your protagonist a hat, and transcribe detailed driving directions). The filler interviews tacked on to the end of the book just add insult to injury. At 100 pages, the book still felt too long - a complete waste of time and $10.
Another Classic Is Born.......2007-07-12
This book is destined to become a classic writing text, much like that other perennial favorite, THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk and White. Instead of focusing on grammar and sentence structure, however, this book concentrates on how to assemble a suspense or mystery novel, from the first, throat-grabbing word, to a final denouement that is both surprising and inevitable.
It tells the writer how to create an atmosphere of suspense and mystery. It discusses narrative hooks and back stories. It opens the eyes and the mind to a myriad of ideas that surround a writer every day; the kind of ideas that are certain to hook the reader and reel him in. It covers the details of reality that are absolutely essential for any story. It stresses the importance of those critical components that are required for all genre: credibility and plausibility.
Clues, voice, point of view, plot, character development; all are spelled out in a clear and concise writing style that is almost impossible to misinterpret or misunderstand. Indirectly, this book also tells the writer, by example, how to edit, how to hone, and how to polish the words and make them shine by their own inner light. And it does all this in less than seventy pages!
The rest of the book includes the authors' insightful interviews with Rex Stout, Robert Parker, Margaret McLean and William Tapply.
If I could give this book a ten-star rating, I would quickly do it. Alas, five is the upper limit here so I will have to accept that.
But if you are interested in writing at all, regardless of genre, it is my pleasure to highly recommend MYSTERY WRITING IN A NUTSHELL. It is a joy to read and will surely become one of the writing community's "desert island" choices for many years to come.
Russ Heitz
russheitz.com
Any aspiring writer seeking to professionally establish themselves..........2007-06-10
The combined effort of best selling author John McAleer (and a winner of the Mystery Writers of America annual 'Edgar' award) and Andrew McAleer (Professor of Crime Fiction at Boston College and the author of three published mystery novels), "Mystery Writings In A Nutshell: The World's Most Concise Guide To Mystery And Suspense Writing" truly lives up to its title as a 100-page compilation of succinctly presented tips, tricks and techniques for crafting good mystery fiction whether as a short story or a full length novel. From defining mystery and suspense, to the concept of a narrative hook, to diverse elements for story ideas, to enriching the context of the story, to the use of motives and weapons, to character development issues, to plotting out a story, "Mystery Writing In A Nutshell" covers it all in crisp, 'user friendly' detail. Of special note is the concluding section devoted to 'Miscellaneous' offerings that include a number of invaluable entries including 'Conversations About Writers and Writing' and 'A Short Essay on Writers Influencing Writers'. Any aspiring writer seeking to professionally establish themselves in this popular and demanding genre should read what John and Andrew McAleer have to say in the pages of "Mystery Writing In A Nutshell".
Customer Reviews:
Inspirational, especially for new authors........1997-10-24
How to Write Mysteries is a must for the libary of the budding author. Not only does it offer practical advice, but it offers plenty of inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
Great Desk Reference.......2007-08-19
The first chapter of descriptions and comparisons between mystery and suspense was a little redundent in places. I've only got through the mystery half because that is what I've been having trouble with. If you're not a regular mystery reader and need to add mystery without spending time analysing the greats, this is the book you need. If you are already an experience mystery reader/writer and need more suspense, I'd bet the suspense half would be equally as good. Mystery and suspense are the bones of a plot line and genre/characterization is the setting and the meat of the story.
A lot of BANG for your buck!.......2007-08-03
I love this book! If you have a small budget and know that you want to write mystery or suspense novels, this is THE writing instruction book for you. It is a concise 191 pages (even has an index!), but it is filled with useful information. This is not a book that focuses on how to write better sentences or prose: there are other books for that. This is a book on plot structure that even seasoned writers would find useful to help strengthen their stories: a nice summation of the key elements to consider when constructing the plot. Some writing books are so large, it'd take a decade to fully digest and utilize the information: This book will get you up and surging forward right away. There are even checklists to keep you on track as few of us can keep numerous facts in mind simultaneously.
The first section focuses on the mystery novel. The second, on the suspense/thriller. The last third is on the general aspects of the novel and getting published, which is not as useful as the first two sections. Ms. Wheat uses numerous examples from published novels to demonstrate the plot techniques she outlines. I am excited to discover this book, as I am certain my next novel will have a stronger ending from studying the suspense techniques she outlines. Ms. Wheat's guidelines will not stifle your creativity; instead, it will help channel your idea to it's maximum effectiveness.
You really get a lot of bang for your buck. I would buy this, not get it from the library. It is well laid-out, with useful bold headings. You will want to keep it at your side when you plot your future blockbuster. Sworn to Defend.
An absolute keeper.......2007-02-12
The title hooked me, and it just got better after that. As a writer of fiction, I have a stack of "how-to" books on my shelf, some of which have been helpful, others not so much. But this one has the clearest explanation of such things as story arc, the novel styled as a classic myth, how to (and how not to) handle an ending. Better yet, not only is the book filled with excellent information, it's written in an entertaining style. And the examples that Ms. Wheat uses are from books that most of us have read and authors most of us recognize--not pages and pages of dry-as-dust "classic" novels.
If you like to read suspense and/or mystery (and she makes the distinction clear in the first chapter), this book will make your reading more pleasurable as you begin to appreciate the things your favorite author does. And if you want to write in those genres, hurry to order the book, then commit it to memory.
Start with this book by Carolyn Wheat.......2006-09-22
Carolyn Hart, Mystery Maitresse, suggested this book to me. She was right. I was gratified to discover just how many things I am already doing correctly without any understanding of the structure provided by this book. Ms. Carolyn Wheat provides valuable insight into a great many other issues. Yes, this book will provide guidelines for the next several weeks. Thank you.
Finally A Book on Mystery & Suspense!.......2006-07-27
Pros: A great book on how to craft mystery & suspense.
Cons: If you don't care about suspense, then this book isn't for you. But I'd say you're crazy.
Thoughts: There don't seem to be many writing books dedicated to the specific techniques of genre. The book is split in two parts. The first half is mystery, and the second half is suspense. The author does a good job of explaining how the techniques used can often be very different. The suspense half of the book is just plain old Good Storytelling, and the tricks explained in that section would work for almost any story. Who doesn't want a suspensful story?
Summary: I wish more books on storytelling were like this. Just buy it.
Book Description
You don't need to be an "A" student, a genius-born writer, or in the top 10% of your class to write a mystery for kids. You only need a burning desire to write the most puzzling, frightening, or challenging story you can…a story kids can't wait to eat up…the most fun story in the universe—a mystery!
Learn from the pros how to plan a mystery the easy way, create characters kids will love, write scenes and settings that come alive, sprinkle clues, use a suspense ladder to build tension, listen for rhythm, add creative icing to your mystery, and design fabulous page layouts.
How to Write Kids' Mysteries is suitable for individual or classroom use. Short, sound-bite lessons enable teachers to pick and choose topics based on time allotted, age of students, and teaching preferences. Loaded with exercises, examples, tips, and ideas, readers will also love the Writer's Toolkit, which includes alternative words to "said," words to avoid, words for the five senses, words for movements, action verbs, and more.
Average customer rating:
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How to write mysteries: A writer's notebook
Joseph Merrick
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Mystery
| Genre Fiction
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
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ASIN: 0439556554 |
Book Description
A step-by-step guide for writing a mystery novel from idea to final rewrite and marketing the manuscript. Choosing a title, characterization, dialogue, viewpoint, setting/description, opening hooks, plot, revising and marketing the manuscript are covered in separate chapters. Appendices include a sample of proper manuscript form, a sample query letter, a master fiction plot outline, and listings of mystery award winners. There is an extensive bibliography and index.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing new, but worth reviewing.......2000-05-22
If you've read more than a couple books on the subject of novel writing, you probably won't find anything new in this little book. It's really more a summary of the subject than a complete treatment. As such, it's OK, but don't expect much beyond that. As I read it, I was reminded of the Dan Poynter school of writing wherein the author is urged to review all the existing material on a subject and then rewrite it, hopefully with a new slant. This book might have been written in exactly that way, although I'm not sure that there is a new slant anywhere. As a brief refresher on the subject, and maybe a guide for occasional quick reference, this book can be helpful. But I really think that most readers will want to go a little deeper into the subject.
Pithy advice from a pro.......1998-07-19
Before my first book (Death in Little Tokyo)came out, Jean Hager not only gave me sage advice about the writing life, she also provided a wonderful example of how a published writer should treat an unpublished writer. Therefore, it was with some anticipation that I received her "How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel." I wasn't disappointed.
This slim volume is packed with Jean's pithy but professional advice. It covers the gamut from defining mystery sub-genres to marketing your manuscript. Jean has published over 50 novels, and has three successful mystery series published, so she speaks from a wealth of experience.
If you're interested in writing mysteries, Jean's book will be a valuable addition to your library. For writing, I personally value Lawrence Block's "Spider, spin me a web," his "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit" and Margaret Chittenden's "How to Write Your Novel." Jean's work will now join this group of b! ooks I recommend to aspiring writers.
Best,
Dale Furutani
Product Description
This book is designed to help aspiring thriller writers to create exciting, suspenseful novels and to give you the best chance of getting your work published and into the bookshops. "Thrillers" have become the number one genre in commercial fiction, with millions of potential readers across the world - learn how you can become a part of it.
Average customer rating:
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How to Write and Sell Mystery Fiction
Manufacturer: Writer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Fiction
| Writing
| Reference
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| Books
Mystery
| Genre Fiction
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
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General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
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General
| Mystery & Thrillers
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ASIN: 0871161621 |
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