How to Make a Killing Writing Murder Mystery by Vanessa C. Hawkins

 

 

 Vanessa Hawkins Author Page

    So if you've been keeping track of the Books We Love Website (which... if you haven't, why not?) then you know that the upcoming Canadian Historical Mystery Series is on its way! My book, entitled Twice Hung, is the tenth book in this exciting new venture, and I am excited to tell you a little bit about it. 

It's a murder mystery. 

    No, but seriously, it will be one of the first serious mystery novels that I've wrote, and while I've been doing a ton of research on how to create some good mystery, I have come across a few tips I thought I'd share with ya'll because... well, I luv ya all a bit! 

I was going to pick meme that highlighted how much I loved my blog readers but... 
this meme was way more me...

So NUMBER ONE!

The Victim: Yeah, they may not be around much, but they are still very important to the story. Whether or not your mystery started with their untimely demise, it's important to know about the events that led up to it. Who was your victim and why did someone want them dead? Why were they in the wrong place at the wrong time, and/or what was their relationship to the killer? What is also important was their character. Did they have it coming, or should we sympathize with the newly dead? 

TWO!

The Murderer: This may be the most interesting character in your story, after the main protagonist. Knowing who they are is essential in creating not only a great story, but one that keep readers turning pages. I love gray area people, and by that I mean creating characters (not just antagonists) with a bunch of flaws. I believe its a key to being human and gives writers a way to allow their protagonists to overcome personal obstacles. How is the murderer similar to the protagonist? How are they different? Do we sympathize with them at all? Keep your reader guessing. 

THREE! 

Red Herrings: Mysteries are the most fun when there are plenty of twists involved. However, that sometimes means keeping one step ahead of your readers. Subtle hints are key, but give too many and they may guess the end before it comes. Think George R. R. Martin and Jon Snow... (Maybe that's the REAL reason he hasn't finished the books, because everyone had already guessed the ending.)

FOUR!

Foreshadowing: As mentioned above, suble keys are great, especially when you finally get to the "Ah ha!" moment. If the ending doesn't make sense, or seems out of left field, it's probably because it is, and because you didn't leave enough puzzle pieces for the reader to collect. This can really make or break a mystery for me, because if the ending doesn't seem justified, it just makes me think that the author was too dumb to outsmart me and if that's the case then... wow... really?

... it's possible...

 FIVE!

Beta Readers: Get someone else to read your book when you are done. This applies to anything you write, but is especially important for mystery novels. It's hard to know if the clues you left behind were sufficient or way too obvious, but for a beta reader, they can tell you if they saw the ending from a mile away, or if it didn't pack enough punch. 

So that's it. My sure fire way to create a mystery novel. I'm sure there are way more tips, but these were my integral five. Twice Hung will be out next year, and I am so excited! In the meantime, check out the cover image, and head on over to Books We Love to discover more about the series and read some super exciting blurbs! 

Cheers! 

  

The Year of the Water Tiger by Diane Bator

To buy The Bookstore Lady

The Year of the Water Tiger

Gong hei fat choy! 

What a great name for a book, isn't it? The Year of the Water Tiger. I'm sure it'll be on the shelves soon. But what does it really mean for the year ahead?

Just as we celebrate the calendar New Year on January 1st, the Lunar New Year brings a transition from the old to the new. Currently, the rigid ways of the Metal Ox are beginning to soften as the world eases into a more familiar rhythm.

As my good friend and mentor Debra Jones says in her blog:

The New Chinese Lunar Year (Feb 1st) has shifted us into the energies of the Water Tiger.

WATER is a feminine element. It is also the element of emotion and subconscious, of intuition and mysteries of the Self.

Water is a cleansing, healing, purifying, and loving element. It is the feeling of compassion, friendship, and love that can pour over us.

Water sustains us.

When we swim, it is water that supports us.

When we are thirsty, it is water that quenches our thirst.

(borrowed from Debra Jones https://www.debrajones.ca/blog/post/1662735/the-eye-of-the-tiger)

This is a year to be gentler to ourselves and to others as we all come out of the confusion and fear. To gather our good intentions and go to work on them. 2022 is a year of big changes and doing the work to create them while being fearles as a tiger but yielding enough to go with the flow.

What are your dreams? Perhaps this is the year to put those plans into motion.

To be as tenatious as a tiger.

To create that artwork.

To build that life you've only dreamed of until now.

To write that book.

To move forward in ways you've only dreamed of.

To transition to that job you've always wanted.

If you do plan to write a book, find a community of other writers who will support and mentor you. Reach out to authors you admire and take that first step of asking questions. Making a plan. Learning your craft. Letting your thoughts flow like water.

What are your dreams?

For more information and to buy my books: CLICK HERE

Diane Bator, Author & Book Coach My website