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69 reviews for:
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
Lee Child, Laurie R. King
3.89 AVERAGE
69 reviews for:
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
Lee Child, Laurie R. King
3.89 AVERAGE
One of many writing books I read over three months. Focuses on a genre I don't normally write in. Some of the advice is better than others, but that's true of most of these.
This is a beginner's guide, not really a craft book.
informative
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
Mostly day one writing advice with no specific relevance to writing in the mystery genre.
20-25% Half decent and less talked about advice, but again not specific to writing mysteries.
If I was generous I’d say about the same of specific mystery writing advice, but if you don’t know how to write a mystery before you read this book, I don’t think that’ll be any different afterwards.
Also a healthy sprinkling of “advice” like ‘write a diverse group of characters,' back to back with advice to 'only write about minorities if you’re from those cultures.’
So the advice is to… what? Aim to be born into as many minority groups as possible?
20-25% Half decent and less talked about advice, but again not specific to writing mysteries.
If I was generous I’d say about the same of specific mystery writing advice, but if you don’t know how to write a mystery before you read this book, I don’t think that’ll be any different afterwards.
Also a healthy sprinkling of “advice” like ‘write a diverse group of characters,' back to back with advice to 'only write about minorities if you’re from those cultures.’
So the advice is to… what? Aim to be born into as many minority groups as possible?
Great advice overall from dozens of the top MWA writers. Useful for novices who have yet to write a mystery or experienced writers who need some refreshers and reminders about what works and what doesn't and are maybe looking for a spark of information that finally clicks with their creativity.
The best essay for me was by Liliana Hart on self-publishing. She reconfirmed my theory (developed over almost 15 years of being a self-taught, self-published writer) that an author who wants to make a career (and a profit) as an author should write three GOOD books before publishing even one of them. If you can't release at least three in a timely manner (such as yearly) you'll annoy your readers who want to read the next book and they may forget about you completely and move on to other authors and books. Oh, how I wish I had known that back in 2008!
Most of the other essays were equally informative and well-reasoned. Aspiring mystery writers especially should read this book.
The best essay for me was by Liliana Hart on self-publishing. She reconfirmed my theory (developed over almost 15 years of being a self-taught, self-published writer) that an author who wants to make a career (and a profit) as an author should write three GOOD books before publishing even one of them. If you can't release at least three in a timely manner (such as yearly) you'll annoy your readers who want to read the next book and they may forget about you completely and move on to other authors and books. Oh, how I wish I had known that back in 2008!
Most of the other essays were equally informative and well-reasoned. Aspiring mystery writers especially should read this book.
informative
fast-paced
informative
An excellent book for any writer. Even if you aren’t interested in writing mysteries, there’s plenty of advice for any fiction writer. This covers everything from the initial idea and plotting to publishing and author branding. Some subjects aren’t as well explored as others but this book gives you a decent jumping off point for each topic.
informative
I was expecting something new and more specific to the writing of crime. Most of the advice was stuff we’ve all read a million times before.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced