Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America [Hardcover]

Sue Grafton (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1992

Today's top mystery authors offer a comprehensive mystery writing "how-to", showing writers how to piece a perfect mystery together.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Like many Writer's Digest publications, this work serves as an excellent resource for the published and the would-be author. Editor Grafton, herself the successful author of the Kinsey Milhone series, orchestrates the contributions of many distinguished detective/mystery writers, including Tony Hillerman, Lawrence Block, and Ed Hock. This how-to book differs from other Writer's Digest books in that the articles move sequentially through the process from preparation to publication. The specialties section focuses on mysteries for young people and short story mysteries. A good choice for both public libraries' and writers' book shelves.
- Martin J. Hudacs, Solanco H.S., Quarryville, Pa .
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 1st edition (March 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898795028
• ISBN-13: 978-0898795028
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #617,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good advice, but not very user-friendly, November 17, 2000

By 

Karina A. Suarez "Karina A. Fogliani-Ahmed" (Walt Disney World, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America (Hardcover)

This is a kind of "anthology" reference book on writing modern mysteries for want-to-be authors. Everything from where to look for inspiration, building a good plot, mastering ambience and effective character and dialogue development is here. What is also here - and very much present - is, in fact, the influence of crime writers. For example, the first chapter discusses the general "rules" for writing a mystery. I find it too partial to the modern, American crime writers, depecting the use of violence, certain cities, etc.; as the optimal places to write mysteries about.

Other writers, like Tony Hillerman, who writes mysteries about the Navajo indians, writes a kind of pedantic chapter, very much geared towards people like him, who are established writers; but that the novice can find discouraging.

I find the most helpful, and best written chapter of all is one of the last ones, written by Ruth Gavin, a mystery editor; where she tells exactly what an editor is looking for in a mystery and what the readers are looking for as well. She definitely helps the first time writer to get published.

I find the traditional, cozy or not, British mystery the most enticing, entertaining and relaxing. If you are this kind of writer, this book is not going to appeal much to you. Although I would still reccomend you browse it, I suggest "You can write a mystery", by Gillian Roberts. On the other hand, if you are a Sue Grafton fan - who, by the way, is the editor of this book -, and you also like Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum; you will find this volume very appealing.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good handbook for the novice mystery writer., April 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America (Hardcover)

Novice writers of this genre and those who just love to read mystery books will get a lot from this book. The essayists are all published writers of the genre who give expert advice with excellent examples to guide the reader toward better understanding.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb advice for all budding mystery writers, June 26, 2010

By 

P. Street "bookhound" (Canberra ACT Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America (Hardcover)

If you want to write mysteries (and get them published), read this book. Then read it again. And again. Commit portions to memory if need be. Keep it beside you while you write. Sleep with it if you have to.

Each chapter is written by a published author in the field and they know their craft. Twenty-seven chapters, each devoted to one aspect of the genre: plot, character, dialogue, suspense, pacing the story, vivid villains, amateur sleuths, looking for an agent, and getting your manuscript accepted and published are just some of the important topics that are covered.

The advice is invaluable and the authors make getting a mystery book published seem achievable. They speak to you as equals, as fellow adventurers on the same elusive quest. There is something comforting in knowing that Lawrence Block has suffered writer's block. A block for Block, so to speak. Or that Edward D. Hoch's Edgar-winning story The Oblong Room suffered a few rejections before being accepted.

There are so many valuable articles but the one I found most helpful is by Ruth Cavin. She tells you what an editor is looking for, and how she has to separate the publishable wheat from the unpublishable chaff. She doesn't mince words, and the many pointed observations she makes are a fascinating insight into an editor's world. If you listen to what she (and all of the other contributors) have to say, your next letter back from the publisher may not be a rejection.