You Can Write a Mystery (You Can Write It!) [Paperback]

Gillian Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0898798639 | ISBN-13: 978-0898798630 | Edition: 1st

Have you ever thought about writing a mystery, and gave up the idea because you weren't sure how to start it? Well now is your chance to go out and write that mystery you have always dreamed of. You Can Write a Mystery, written by Gillian Roberts, author of the Anthony Award-winning Amanda Pepper Series, will help you start your mystery and guide you through to the end.

"The 'rules' that govern the mystery are the rules that govern all fiction. Every novel needs suspense and drama," says Roberts. With this book you'll learn how to build your story from the grave up. Roberts focuses on what she calls the "Seven C's", why you need them and how they help your story. She offers examples and exercises that will help you complete your story filled with cliffhangers, intriguing characters and hooks. This book also offers practical suggestions for handling problems likely to arise during the writing process. Along the way, Robert's will teach you:

• The 15 commandments for mystery
  
  
• How to design your sleuth
  
  
• The Seven Cs your book can't do without - characters, conflict, causality, complications, change, crisis and closure
  
  
• How to hide clue, and exploit red-herrings
  
  
• Research techniques
  
  
• How to develop a style, find a tone and construct a killer plot

You Can Write a Mystery, offers practical guidance for the first-time writer. Its easy-to-understand format will help the most amateur to become a mystery writer. In addition to the practical writing advice supplied, Roberts also offers expert advice for editing, revising and submitting a top-notch manuscript.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Roberts, author of the Amanda Pepper mystery series, delivers a solid overview of the genre for aspiring crime writers. Unlike many authors of how-to-write guides, she largely avoids aphorisms, sticking instead to concrete details. She is particularly good on how to structure a crime story ("What has to happen before the rest can happen?") and how to build a plot through false leads. Her discussion of character development is also helpful, particularly her tips on creating a history for the people in your story: "A character can do anything you like, if he has a reason and the reason comes out of his history." Along with analysis of the literary aspects of mystery writing, Roberts also surveys such practical matters as grammar, punctuation, and how to submit the manuscript. If character and setting are what distinguish the best mysteries, failed plot mechanics are invariably what derail the worst. Roberts' basic but too-often-overlooked advice will help keep your story on track. Ilene Cooper

About the Author

Author Gillian Roberts has written more than nine mysteries. Her books are frequently featured by the Mystery Guild Book Club. She also teaches Creative Writing at the University of San Francisco and the College of Marin.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 1st edition (August 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898798639
• ISBN-13: 978-0898798630
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can Write A Mystery...Review, August 16, 2000

By 

Tim Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Write a Mystery (You Can Write It!) (Paperback)

This little gem not only gives aspiring novelists a wealth of information but also provides book reviewers with a guide from which books can be critiqued. I was immediately attracted to this book by the title and was not disappointed as I scanned the contents. It explains many important issues that must be addressed if a story is to be successful but are mostly not considered on a conscious level by the reader. The point of view,or the vantage point from which the reader sees the story; building the plot and using false leads; transition and the order of scenes etc. You get the idea.

Anyway, I think this book will help me when I'm reviewing a book and will add to my enjoyment while reading. Mysteries will be read from a broader and deeper perspective and the admiration for writers and their skill has increased.

Thanks in advance for a vote if this review was helpful.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a gifted teacher, January 12, 2000

By 

John Casey (St. Louis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You Can Write a Mystery (You Can Write It!) (Paperback)

As a former English teacher, I began Roberts' guide with some reservation thinking I'd heard it all before. Surprise! Roberts mission is to share her well-honed knowledge of structure with her expertise as a published writer. I particularly liked the fresh way she explains fundamentals with her final chapter: Finding your voice:the microedit. I went right out and bought the hardcopy of Timeline just to see how a current best seller follows her advice. Her work is inspirational.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fundamental writing with some insider's tips thrown in, July 6, 2000

By 

yarden "yarden" (portland, or) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Write a Mystery (You Can Write It!) (Paperback)

YOU CAN WRITE A MYSTERY is, at the core, a fiction-writing basics book that applies to any subject. Author Gillian Roberts includes tips that apply specifically to mystery writing, but that would enrich any story.

This book is excellent for those who wish to begin writing and need a place to start. The book includes enough information to get you well on your way to writing a mystery (or any fiction you want to supercharge with a little suspense). The tone is clear and concise, and the author conveys her experience in both writing and reading mysteries, giving formulas and "sleight of hand" tricks for muddling your readers.