[Now Write! 01] • Now Write! Mysteries by Ellis, Sherry -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Page Copyright Page Dedication DETECTIVE WORK - The Art and Science of Research

Dontcha Just Hate the Research Part? Investigative Techniques Setting and Atmosphere: Writing from the Element and Writing in the Elements The Importance of Research The Cultural Setting and the Cultural Detective The Truth Is in the Fiction

AVOIDING BOOBY TRAPS - Story Development

The Most Common Mistakes in Plotting a Thriller (from Someone Who Has Made Them All) Road Trip The Hook: Killer Beginnings in Mystery Fiction First Lines Writing the First Chapter You Can’t Cheat an Honest Reader A Feeling for Location and Culture The Parts People Skip The Telling Detail Sea of Troubles: The Art of Outlining

PLOT THICKENING - Compelling Story Structure

Discover Plot and Character Through the Journey Quest Controlling the Flow of Information Putting Your Protagonist in Jeopardy Conflict! Conflict! Everywhere! Avoiding Saggy Middles Humanizing the Character Arc Character Motivations Maintaining Suspense Plausibility

SLEUTHS - Know Your Detective

Finding the Key Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Detective Character The Offbeat Protagonist Characters from the Inside Out Detectives Have Weaknesses, Too Amateur Sleuths for Professional Authors Protagonist in Jeopardy Build the Cast for Your Police Procedural

LIKELY SUSPECTS - Characters and Their Relationships

Villains Choosing Details to Reveal Character Creating Emotional Depth To Whom Does Your Character Turn When She Needs Help, and What Do They Bring to ... What Drives Your Character? Make ’Em Real: Reveal Your Characters Through Relationships Casting Your Characters Putting Yourself in the Characters’ Shoes Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone: Writing from Different Points of View Creating Depth Through Character Relationships She Can Bring Home the Bacon No Sloppy Seconds: Write a Purposeful Supporting Cast

VOICE - Tone, POV, and Dialogue

Voice and the Private Eye First Lines—An Exercise for Writers Murder from the Point of View of the Murderer, Victim, and Detective “Let Me Out!” Helping Characters Find Their Voice Point of View: An Exercise in Observation Creating Believable Dialogue Writing a Non-English-Speaking Character What Madison Avenue Can Teach You About Writing Better Dialogue Murder with Giggles: Humorous Voice in Crime Fiction

SETTING AND MOOD - Your Story’s Backdrop

Setting and a Sense of Place in Mysteries Scene of the Crime Creating Mood in Crime Fiction Let’s Get Engaged Layering the Landscape Setting as Character The Reality Show Called Settings Stormy Weather The Importance of Setting—Grounding Your Story in Time and Place Writing in Place

MOTIVE AND EVIDENCE - Key Ingredients of Mystery

Crime Fiction—What For? Deep Motivation: Characters Have Feelings, Too Characters and Their Secrets Driven ’Round the Bend: What Drives Characters? Tell the Truth and Lie Planting a Seed Clues Are All Around You Forensics: The Cutting Edge

SCENE OF THE CRIME - Creating Scenes

Conflict and Scene Design Using Everyday Activities to Create Conflicting Emotions and Increase Tension Action and Reaction WAYNE D. DUNDEE - Convincing Threats for Your Protagonist Ratcheting Up the Suspense: How to Keep Readers Guessing, Worrying, and Turning ... Exposing the Sex Scene Ready, Set, Action

CHANGING YOUR STORY - Revision

Between the Drafts On Revision Hooking Your Reader from Page One TWIST PHELAN - Getting Your Story Off to a Fast Start Keep the Pages Turning

KILLER SERIALS - From Book to Series

Keeping a Series Going Character Arc Versus Story Arc: Developing a Successful Series Character The Importance of a Series Bible

CONTRIBUTORS’ WEBSITES CREDITS ABOUT THE EDITORS ALSO IN THE NOW WRITE! SERIES