One of the most persistent favourite genres of all time is the mystery story and all the variations and sub-genres that now exist. It is, therefore, also a popular genre for new authors to try. One of the most useful books to help novice mystery writers was published in 2002 by the renowned Writer’s Digest books. The book is called Writing Mysteries and contains chapters by numerous crime and mystery authors: it is subtitled A handbook by the Mystery Writers of America. The first edition was published in 1992, yet the material is as valid today as when first written.
List of Mystery Authors Contributing to Writing Mysteries
The list of contributors reads like a who’s who of crime fiction. Edited and with a foreword by the popular Sue Grafton, the book includes chapters by:
- Jeremiah Healy
- Marilyn Wallace
- Dick Lochte
- Warren Murphy
- Faye and Jonathan Kellerman
- Stuart Kaminsky
- Julie Smith
- Michael Connelly
- Margaret Maron
- Sara Paretsky
- Nancy Pickard
- Sandra Scoppettone
- George Chesbro
- Tony Hillerman
- Robert Campbell
- Loren D. Estleman
- Carolyn Wheat
- Aaron Elkins
- Phyllis A. Whitney
- Bill Granger
- P.M. Carlson
- Lawrence Block
- John Lutz
- Jan Burke
- John F. Baker
- Russell Galen
- Ruth Cavin
- Joan Lowery Nixon
- Edward D. Hoch
- Tess Gerritsen
- Linda Fairstein
- Laurie R. King
- Ann Rule
- G. Miki Hayden
- Angela and Barry Zeman
The book, of course, does not include the current crop of writers, but those who feature have a great deal of experience to offer. With every chapter by a different writer, the book does not suffer from the sameness that infects many books by a single popular writer; Writing Mysteries has a wealth of ideas and perspectives.
Content and Organisation of this Excellent Text on How to Write Mysteries
Sue Grafton concludes her introduction with the line: “While the journey is yours, we offer you this roadmap.” Thereafter, the book is divided into three sections: Preparation, The Process and Specialties. Within Preparation there are excellent chapters on work schedules, expertise and research and background, location and setting. There are whimsical chapters such as 'Writing With a Partner', or . . . 'what part of “No” don’t You Understand’ by Warren Murphy, and ‘Where Do I Find a Jewish Indian?' Or 'How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Research'.
The Section on Process is divided into The Beginning, Middle and End. The Beginning contains excellent chapters on the basics - 'Characterisation', 'Writing a series character', 'The Amateur Sleuth', 'Outlining', 'Perspective and Point of View'. The Middle looks at writing convincing dialogue,. pacing and suspense, and clues and red herrings. The End, surprisingly is not about the climax and conclusion of the novel but more about post-first draft. It deals with revision, finding and working with an agent, marketing and an editor’s perspective.
Specialty Writing for Mystery Writers
The section on specialties takes this book beyond a basic writing book or writing course - this is the value-added section. Here experienced authors discuss writing mysteries for young readers, the short story mystery and certain specific categories of mystery such as the medical Thriller, Legal Thrillers, and historical thrillers.
All in all, for a novice writer who hopes to specialise in this specific genre, this book has a great deal of genre-pertinent useful information. The book Writing Mysteries, edited by Sue Grafton, Writer’s Digest books, 2002, is still offered on the Writer’s Digest Books website.
BOOK REVIEWED: Writing Mysteries. Sue Grafton (ed.), Writer's igest Books, 2002.
