How to Catch a Thief, or Not
Writing for any genre can prove to be a challenge. However, it is my opinion that writing for the mystery field can be the most difficult. There are many factors to think about when you are considering a mystery story. How you approach each story will differ, depending on the subject matter. Today, we will discuss the murder-mystery.
Murder mysteries are perhaps the most widely read faction of the genre. They are cleverly woven, and if the author is good, he or she can keep the reader guessing right up the very end! Weaving an intricate mystery takes time and practice, but there are a few basic things that you can do to make sure your hero or heroine gets to the solution in a practical way.
Planning is key. While many genres can be written very little or no planning at all, I find that planning out when and where the detective or other investigators will find their leads. Some authors know before the story even starts who the perpetrator is. Some don’t know until they have delved deeper into the story they are telling.
Setting up the story is equally important. Use the setting to get the story across more effectively. This is true in every fiction genre. For mysteries, sometimes the setting itself can its own character. The setting in a mystery story often helps the protagonist solve the crime.
Following these two pieces of advice, among other things, will get you started on the fast track to writing a successful mystery, and allow your hero to either catch a thief, or not.