How I Wrote My Murder Mystery “Murder, Just Because”

by Yolanda Renée, @yolandarenee

When I decided to sit down and write a mystery — I did just that. I sat down and started writing. It’s what I’ve done with every story I’ve ever written. I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was a child. I started out with Nancy Drew and progressed from there. In other words, I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands of books. When I decided to write my own, I was more than ready.

I chose the mystery genre because I wanted to write what I enjoyed. These are the steps I took. Each bullet has a link that I’m sure will give you the information you seek on each topic. The web is full of great information, and I doubt I could improve on it, but these are my steps, and I hope they’ll give you the push you need to start your writing adventure.

1.      Decide on the type of mystery you want to write.

         There are at least twelve types of mystery genres.

2.      Decide on your Setting.

         The setting is key, in more ways than one!

         If you don’t know the place personally, do your research. Use maps to get street names and know and use the names of businesses such as restaurants, parks, etc. And yes, you can use the correct names of places, streets, hotels, etc. It will make the situation real for your readers.

3.      Choose the protagonist.

         Be sure you’ve chosen wisely.

         Who is your detective or sleuth? Create a full description with a complete background. Know them as well as you know yourself. Just be prepared once you’ve created them to accept changes, which will come from the character themselves once they find their voice. (They will speak to you and sometimes disagree with your direction. Listen to them. They know the story better than you.)

4.      Who is your antagonist?

         This character can be even more important than the protagonist.

         I’ve found they love to take over the story. In these cases, I make sure the protagonist and the villain get equal time.

5       Create interesting secondary characters.

         Vital to the story’s action.

         Don’t be surprised if a new individual makes their voice known once you’re deep into the story. And don’t forget your victim or victims. You’ll want some empathy from your readers for them.

6.      Do your research.

         How to write a thriller.

         If you don’t know anything about motivation or serial killers or murderers in general, do your research. The FBI has several good sites online, and there are dozens of books available. Having your own reference library handy is a plus.

7. What’s your weapon of choice?

         Know your weapon.

         Guns, knives, poisons, ball bats, an ax, or whatever you choose. Each killer has a preference, a reason for the weapon they use. Decide what that is, or better yet, let them tell you. My serial killers love to make themselves known.

         I own books on investigation, motive, and weapons. I even have a book of poisons, but there’s plenty of information online. However, a personal library is fun too.

8.      Start Writing!

         You’re ready. Right?

         Maybe three steps are all it takes?

         I usually begin my books with a murder. By creating tension right off, you draw the reader in. They’ll want to know who did what and why?

         What better way to introduce your protagonist than at the scene of a crime.

9.      Show, don’t tell!

         Do you know how?

         Forget detailed backstories on your main characters. All that character description and backstory you’ve already written, is just that, your notes. Key elements can be added as the story moves forward either in dialogue, brief introductory descriptions, thoughts, or reactions of the character, and even dreams. But keep the action going!

10.    Action, action, action!

         Keep the pace moving…

         Grab the reader from the get-go!

         You want a page-turner, with cliffhangers at the end of all your chapters because you want your readers to say they could not put it down!

11.    Snappy dialogue.

         DON’T bore your readers.

         Make your conversations relevant to the scene, and don’t forget to add humor.

12.    Be prepared for “writer’s block.”

         The easiest part of writing is the first few chapters. You’re psyched. You’re into your story. You even know how it’s all going to end, and you get ahead of yourself and write that amazing final scene that’s been playing out in your head.

         This is easy, you think. But then you realize you’ve got eleven chapters and the ending. Oops, how did your characters get from here to there?

         The middle of your book is missing, and you have no story left inside. That’s the real definition of writer’s block.

         My advice is to walk away. Read a book. Take a long walk or do the laundry. The point is, just put the story away for a while. The answers will come to you when you least expect it.

         My go-to solution to “writer’s block” is to ask the questions I need the answer to during meditation or right before I fall asleep. The answer is always there in the morning.

         If nothing else works, try these tips…

13.    Finished!

         Celebrate! You deserve it! Take a break, at least a week, then go back and start the re-write. Don’t be surprised if new ideas jump out, or that you decide to delete whole chapters. This is where the fun begins, and the story finally solidifies.

         “The End! –Well, maybe not!”

*****

Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing my latest book release and my

how-to for writing.

I hope it inspires just one would-be mystery writer.

It’s a pleasure to be participating in author Yolanda Renee’s MURDER, JUST BECAUSE Blog Tour through MC Book Tours today.

Author Yolanda Renee

For those who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her in her own words.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to follow Yolanda on her week-long tour HERE. You never know what you might find out. Do you enjoy watching a character grow from one story to the next?