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alexauthorshay 's review for:
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook by Mystery Writers of America
by Mystery Writers of America
Since I am currently working on a mystery/thriller, when this came through at the library I decided to check it out. I came away from the book with mixed results. A lot of what is covered (characters, plot, setting, outlining, publishing, author platform, etc) isn't specific to mysteries and could be read by any writer. Some of what is covered (true crime, suspense, detectives, etc) is more specific to genre writers. A lot of what's included here is what you'll encounter in other writing books, but it always helps to hammer home advice you've received previously.
As this book is a collection by a variety of writers, it was interesting to see how both sides of different topics were included (ex. a pantser and a plotter both had essays). There are sections that helpfully break the subject matter into categories, in case you don't want to read front to back like I did, and between most of the longer essays there are quick little blurbs/half page tidbits. I think, more than anything, it's just refreshing to read about the experiences other authors have and some of the strategies they use; when I feel stuck in my story I pick up a how-to-write book less for tips on how to write but more for motivation. The part that actually stuck with me the most from this book was reading how authors who are so popular now started where I'm starting, i.e. kind of from nowhere. They had no one show up to book signings, they had people turn down their manuscripts, etc. In addition to humanizing the craft, this book also humanizes some of the large and daunting names in the genre, making it feel a little more accessible to the newer writers.
As this book is a collection by a variety of writers, it was interesting to see how both sides of different topics were included (ex. a pantser and a plotter both had essays). There are sections that helpfully break the subject matter into categories, in case you don't want to read front to back like I did, and between most of the longer essays there are quick little blurbs/half page tidbits. I think, more than anything, it's just refreshing to read about the experiences other authors have and some of the strategies they use; when I feel stuck in my story I pick up a how-to-write book less for tips on how to write but more for motivation. The part that actually stuck with me the most from this book was reading how authors who are so popular now started where I'm starting, i.e. kind of from nowhere. They had no one show up to book signings, they had people turn down their manuscripts, etc. In addition to humanizing the craft, this book also humanizes some of the large and daunting names in the genre, making it feel a little more accessible to the newer writers.