How to write a twist that will pleasantly surprise your readers

Posted on 01/17/2021 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We can all agree that we’d prefer to leave earth-shattering developments to fiction rather than reality. And fortunately, that at...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Writing advice

Don't neglect one part of your mystery in favor of another

Posted on 12/27/2020 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The detective and the crime, in a mystery novel, are like peanut butter and jelly. Each is intriguing on its...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Zara Altair

Zara Altair: Challenge your detective's morals to deepen your story

Posted on 10/29/2020 at 03:16 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Solving the crime shouldn’t be the only challenge your mystery novel’s protagonist faces. Zara Altair suggests giving your detective a...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Mystery, Zara Altair

The differences between mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels

Posted on 10/25/2020 at 12:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

So your novel has unanswered questions and heightened tensions. Does that make it a mystery, thriller, or suspense novel? Zara...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Thriller, Zara Altair

How to keep your mystery's momentum going

Posted on 09/18/2020 at 03:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Does your mystery feel saggy in the middle? Zara Altair says that’s common — and can be fixed or avoided....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Zara Altair

What to have and avoid in your story's opening

Posted on 06/17/2020 at 11:17 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The most compelling part of Zara Altair’s post on starting your mystery, for us, might have been the section on...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: First lines and first chapters, Mystery, Zara Altair

How to plant clues about your mystery's villain

Posted on 02/21/2020 at 10:41 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The villain or culprit in your mystery should make sense once his or her guilt is revealed. But how do...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Characters, Mystery, Writing advice, Zara Altair

Police sergeant: Don't commit these crimes in your detective novel

Posted on 12/03/2019 at 01:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We’ve all been there: We’re reading a book or watching a show or film in which a character shares our...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Joanna Penn, Mystery, Writing advice

Zara Altair: Share your characters' backstories sparingly in a mystery

Posted on 11/26/2019 at 04:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Your characters’ backstories don't just serve your readers — they serve you, the writer. But, says Zara Altair, that’s why...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Writing advice, Zara Altair

Make sure your reader wants to solve your mystery

Posted on 08/22/2019 at 04:37 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Zara Altair wants to ensure your reader is just as invested as your sleuth is in solving the mystery in...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, Plot / narrative, Writing advice, Zara Altair