Writing Mysteries

Sue Grafton ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Writers Digest Books was reviewed on 18-Oct-2008.

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1) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. I used this book as a way to refresh my perspective on a mystery novel after finishing a second draft. I highlighted perhaps a dozen relevant/useful passages in the entire 300-page book. There are a handful of interesting ideas, but the biggest challenge I encountered is that the quality of the advice is entirely dependent on the author of each chapter - so, if what you want to learn about happens to have been written about by an average advice-giver, you´re out of luck. For a better treatment - more concise and productive, and of better quality throughout - consider Hallie Ephron´s "Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel."¤

2) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. I have other books concerning this subject. What I like about this book is that it contains chapters by different authors. There is nothing like hearing advice from the very authors that you enjoy reading so much.¤

3) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. Mystery Writing is an art in itself. It requires a lot of planning and preparation in order for the mystery story to work. Planting ´red herrings´ and false clues in a story is an art that novice writers will have trouble in achieving with their first attempt. That is the reason why this book is so good -- it brings together the creative geniuses in the field of Mystery writing -- and these writers tell you their secrets to producing mystery. Definitely worth the money.



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4) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. I found the book to a helpful review of everything from the unwritten rules of writing a mystery through the submission process. Personally, I enjoyed having different people present their views. I can see that it might be annoying if you want just one point of view. My advise is to read whatever section you are interested in and skip sections that you do not care about. Good job!¤

5) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. While I agree with the previous poster that one has to do a certain amount of mining with this, and other Writer´s Digest anthologies, I don´t think that´s necessarily a bad thing. I actually had an opportunity to talk about the book recently with Sue Grafton, who edited it, and she said her goal was to take readers from idea through publication, employing the voices of experts in each area. For example, the chapter on series characters is written by Sara Paretsky, whose V.I. Warshawski is a classic demonstration of what she´s talking about. In all, I enjoyed and appreciated the disparate voices perhaps more than I might have appreciated the same advice in a monolithic voice.¤

6) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. Writing mystery fiction can be a special kind of puzzle. In this new, revised edition of the Mystery Writers of America classic, Sue Grafton weaves the experience of today´s top mystery authors into a comprehensive mystery writing "how-to." Writers will learn how to piece a perfect mystery together and create realistic stories that are taut, immediate and fraught with tension.

The book´s contributors include a "who´s who" of the mystery writing elite: Faye and Jonathan Kellerman on conducting accurate research; Michael Connelly on mastering characterization; Tony Hillerman on writing without an outline; Lawrence Block on overcoming writer´s block; Sara Paretsky on creating successful series characters; Tess Gerritson on writing the medical thriller; Ann Rule on the art of writing true crime. And many more!¤

7) Paperback Book Writing Mysteries by Writers Digest Books. The mystery, like other stories, relies on believable characters, a strong narrative, and crisp prose. But it is also "a way of examining the dark side of human nature," says Writing Mysteries editor Sue Grafton. The book´s 37 contributors ponder everything from brainstorming ideas to dealing with editors. Jeremiah Healy jump-starts the book with a piece that considers the unwritten "rules" of mystery writing. Stuart Kaminsky discusses research--experts, it turns out, are just waiting for you to contact them--and Sandra Scoppettone discusses vivid villains. Sara Paretsky contemplates the pitfalls of using a recurring hero, and Michael Connelly contributes a fine piece on characterization. "The best crime novels," Connelly says, "are not about how a detective works on a case; they are about how a case works on a detective." Other chapters focus on amateur sleuths, convincing dialogue, depiction of violence, and specialty genres. The book´s short chapters form a sort of mystery writer´s antipasti plate. Some won´t resonate, while others will leave you wishing you had a larger serving. An ideal primer for mystery writers. --Jane Steinberg¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 15-Nov-2008, 15829710219781582971025, 630-390-930-211-681-311-8

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