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Writing.Com Newsletter Archives: Mystery
Newsletter Archives Home
To view an
Mystery
newsletter, click an issue date:
#12183:
September 20, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Is it believable?
Researching for mystery stories
Would it really happen that way?
#12170:
September 13, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
Sept Mystery newsletter Robert B Parker
This month's newsletter will discuss the life and work of Robert B Parker
What type of dog was always included in the Spenser novels? What dog name was always used?
#12163:
September 06, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Rules. Why Bother?
“Everything we do (or don’t do) today, dictates how our tomorrow will go.”
Why oh why do activities and contests have rules? Ugh. They’re such a bother.
#12149:
August 30, 2023
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Celebrating Writers
Writing.com's Birthday is right around the corner. 23 years of writing, struggling, sweat and tears. A site for writers!
What's your favorite part of WdC? Sharing your writing? Or the friendships you've made? What made you stick around?
#12139:
August 23, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Back to the scene
Return to the scene of the crime
Can they stay away?
#12128:
August 16, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
Unraveling the Mystery of Thomas Harris
The August mystery newsletter will look at the life and work of bestselling author, Thomas Harris
Who was close to Thomas Harris with a name that rhymes with Molly?
#12113:
August 09, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Watch Your Tone
It's all in the delivery... Lets talk about tone.
Can you hear a character’s tone?
#12079:
August 02, 2023
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Unsolved Mysteries
A look at some unsolved mysteries to inspire a story or two.
Have you ever written a story that was based on an unsolved mystery? If so, please share it here.
#12087:
July 26, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Hiding places
Hiding things in mystery stories
Where can it be?
#12075:
July 19, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
The Life and Work of John Connolly
The July mystery newsletter will discuss the life and works of author John Connolly
How many Charlie Parker books did John Connolly write in this series?
#12074:
July 19, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
The Life and Work of John Connolly
The July mystery newsletter will discuss the life and works of author John Connolly
How many Charlie Parker books did John Connolly write in this series?
#12062:
July 12, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
The Canon and the Bible
Continuity. Ya gotta love it.
Have you ever made a mistake in a story because you’d simply mixed up the facts?
#12050:
July 05, 2023
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Supporting Character(s)
Supporting characters aren't always necessary but are a welcoming addition. No one solves anything alone, or do they?
Well, do they? Is a lone character able to solve everything all on its own?
#12041:
June 28, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mystery calling
Strange phone calls
Who is calling please?
#12026:
June 21, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
Delve into Mystery with Kjell Ola Dahl
This month's newsletter for the month of June will look at the works of prolific mystery fiction writer Kjell Ola Dahl
Just how many of Dahl's stories were translated into English?
#12017:
June 14, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Did You See That?
What is peripheral activity, and how would you use it in writing a mystery or thriller?
Is it possible that every single reviewer can completely miss your point?
#11966:
June 07, 2023
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
What's in a mystery?
Mystery is an exciting genre that can go in many directions. Sometimes, that can create a problem.
What part of mystery writing do you have the most problems with?
#11992:
May 31, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Who wrote the Circleville letters?
A real life poison pen writer
Who sent this?
#11980:
May 24, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
May Mystery newsletter - Stieg Larsson
This month's newsletter is about Swedish journalist and bestselling author, Stieg Larsson.
What type of tattoo did the girl in Stieg Larsson's novel have?
#11972:
May 17, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Steps. Why’d it have to be Steps?
Deep diving steps of suspense.
How do you build suspense into your story?
#11926:
May 10, 2023
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Kidnapped!
Inspired by true events, I hope that we can solve this mystery together!
When a friend tells you about their upcoming weekend, but then you don't hear from them ever again. What do you do?
#11943:
May 03, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Masters of disguise
Disguises in mystery stories
Who is behind the mask?
#11930:
April 26, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
April Mystery newsletter: Jo Nesbo
This newsletter will discuss the works of acclaimed Norwegian author Jo Nesbo
What four jobs did Jo Nesbo do prior to his mystery writing career?
#11921:
April 19, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Recipe for Suspense
The most intensive type of mystery, suspense can be difficult to craft.
What’s your favorite suspense novel or movie. Why?
#11901:
April 12, 2023
by
Jayne
Dynamic Storytelling with In Media Res
If you're dropping your reader into the middle of a story, give them a parachute instead of an empty backpack.
I "nope" out of conversations all the time. Have you ever walked into a conversation and walked right back out?
#11893:
April 05, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Not like TV
CSI effect and Perry Mason Syndrome
“Why didn’t they dust the lawn for fingerprints?”
#11883:
March 29, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
A bit of Irish Mystery newsletter
The newsletter will discuss two Irish mystery authors, Carlene O'Sullivan and Father Andrew Greeley for March
Which of the two authors came from a large Irish Catholic family but never visited Ireland?
#11872:
March 22, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Recipe for a Thriller
Yes, Virginia, there is a formula to the thriller.
Share your favorite thriller and what made it great.
#11847:
March 08, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I didn’t do it!
Wrongful convictions
If they didn’t do it, who did?
#11837:
March 01, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
March Mystery newsletter
This newsletter is about Mystery writer Patricia Highsmith
Who was the person who gave a recommendation for Patricia Highsmith to an artist retreat? What was the retreat called?
#11826:
February 22, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Is It Mystery, Thriller, or Suspense?
Uht oh! My WIP falls into more than these three genre categories. Is this possible? Lets talk about it.
Genre matters. What if your novel or short story falls in more than two genres? How do you classify it for marketing?
#11809:
February 15, 2023
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
The Mystery of Mysteries!
Tips for writing a mystery story that may help you pull your plot together.
When you write a mystery, how much pre-planning goes into it?
#11798:
February 08, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Seeing through the lies
Finding the truth in mystery stories
Who is telling the truth?
#11786:
February 01, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
February Mystery newsletter
This newsletter is a Valentine cozy mystery themed newsletter
What notorious murders were committed on Valentine's day in 1929?
#11782:
January 25, 2023
by
Carol St.Ann
Reviewing the Mystery
Real Reviewers are heroes! Link your most in-depth review in the comments for a well deserved MB REWARD.
Do you review the intricate engineering of a story, or is that too nitpicky?
#11752:
January 11, 2023
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Caught on video
Surveillance tapes and other video in mystery stories
Can you play that back again?
#11739:
January 04, 2023
by
Autumn Adore♥
January newsletter - New Years Murder
A collection of New Years themed mysteries
How many famous deaths are mentioned in this month's newsletter?
#11729:
December 28, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
Strategic Scene Building
Making your reader the witness to the deed without their knowing it.
If the wheels fall off your mystery when you get to the middle, where would you look for the defective part?
#11709:
December 21, 2022
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
A Holiday Mystery
Using the holidays as a backdrop for your next mystery story!
Which holiday do you prefer as the backdrop for a mystery story?
#11703:
December 14, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
You have the right to remain silent
When defendants don't talk
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
#11693:
December 07, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
December Mystery Christmas Mysteries
The last newsletter of the year, December Mystery newsletter Christmas mysteries edition
How many mysteries were included in the newsletter?
#11683:
November 30, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
The Art of Character Design
There are four specific aspects to creating a character we’d know anywhere. Let’s talk about Columbo
How would you make your character unforgettable?
#11674:
November 23, 2022
by
eyestar~*
Ann Cleeves
a short bio on the crime author of Vera and Shetland!
n/a
#11659:
November 16, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
The strange case of Clarita Villanueva
Attacked by an invisible enemy
What was biting Clarita?
#11651:
November 09, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Thankful for a good mystery month
This month we look at mysteries where the bad guy doesn't get caught, and they remain free
What feeling does the month of November bring us?
#11642:
November 02, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
A Real Character!
Any similarity to a real person, living or dead is purely intentional.
Tell me about a mysterious person you know.
#11613:
October 26, 2022
by
Annette
Secrets in Nature
Science takes the fun out of natural mysteries.
Which natural mystery was ruined for you by science?
#11617:
October 19, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Who put Bella in the wych elm?
Strange real life case
Who is she, and how did she get inside that tree?
#11605:
October 12, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Cozy Mystery Writers Halloween edition
This month's newsletter will take a look at 10 mystery book selections for a cozy Halloween
How many cozy Halloween mystery books were mentioned?
#11594:
October 05, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
A Writer’s Toolbox: Terminology
Story writing terminology; it matters.
Introduction, Preface, or Prologue; which is right for your story?
#11533:
September 28, 2022
by
Annette
Numbers
Prime numbers, palindromes, symbolism.
Do you have a number that means something specific to you? Which number is it? What does it mean?
#11571:
September 21, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Laying a trail of bread crumbs
Hiding clues for your readers
What is important?
#11557:
September 14, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Journey to Iceland: Arnaldur Indridason
This issue will take us far to the country of Iceland where we meet Crime Fiction author Arnaldur Indridason.
How many out of 50, 000 Icelanders produce a crime fiction novel each year?
#11550:
September 07, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
Mystery for Sale or Lease
Mystery exists everywhere. What kind of mystery gets your pulse racing?
What mysterious event ruffled your feathers this week? Have you solved the puzzle yet? (NO politics, please.)
#11537:
August 31, 2022
by
eyestar~*
Mysterious settings
Mysteries of nature as settings.
n/a
#11528:
August 24, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
The Black Dahlia
One of America’s most famous unsolved cases
Who killed Elizabeth Short?
#11511:
August 17, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee
This is a gentle exploration into the world of Chinese detectives (Dee Goog An) through the cases of Judge Dee
How many people was the Judge portraying in his role as the one who brings the justice?
#11502:
August 10, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
All the World’s A Mystery!
Every mystery does not revolve around a murder most foul.
What happened to you today that you'd never have anticipated?
#11481:
July 27, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Who really killed the Wolf family?
A mysterious true life case
Did they convict the wrong man?
#11467:
July 20, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
A Visit to Asian Mystery First Visit
Going to visit the writers of Asian mystery from Asia and beyond
Who created the first known Asian mystery or crime detective in print writing?
#11459:
July 13, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
MY MYSTERY HISTORY
How I became a Mystery snob.
What made you fall in love with mysteries? What’s your mystery history?
#11429:
July 06, 2022
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Solving the Unsolvable
Have you ever considered writing about an unsolved mystery and drawing your own conclusions?
Is there an unsolved mystery that you find fascinating?
#11436:
June 29, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Where is Brandon Swanson?
An unsolved disappearance
What happened to Brandon Swanson?
#11424:
June 22, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery All Around Us
This newsletter will discuss the real life "mysteries" in the world, the mysteries all around each one of us
Does your town have a mysterious past?
#11408:
June 15, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
The Butler Did It
Ever wonder where the expression, “The butler did it” came from?
Why is the Butler always the primary suspect?
#11388:
June 01, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mysterious places
Places made for mystery
Why is this place so strange?
#11376:
May 25, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Newsletter - John D. MacDonald
This newsletter discusses the life and work of Grand Master Mystery writer, John D. MacDonald
Who indirectly initiated John D. MacDonald into writing stories as a career?
#11366:
May 18, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
The Mystery Develops
My favorite tips for crafting the mystery through character development.
What do you do when your mystery falls apart mid story?
#11343:
May 04, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Destroying evidence
Investigating without evidence
What happens when evidence is destroyed?
#11322:
April 20, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
In Plain Sight
The invisible red herring
Have you ever reached the conclusion to a mystery and been stunned when you realized the answer was in plain sight the entire time?
#11302:
April 13, 2022
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
What's in a name?
Names can add dimension and mystery to your characters.
How much thought goes into naming your characters?
#11298:
April 06, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
To plan or not to plan
Developing mysteries
When do you know whodunit?
#11269:
March 23, 2022
by
Carol St.Ann
Building a Conspiracy
What does it take to construct the unsolvable conspiracy?
Have you ever witnessed or been involved in a conspiracy?
#11226:
March 16, 2022
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
So, you wanna write a mystery?
Well, let's get familiar with 4 of the sub-genres!
What sub-genre of mystery do you prefer to read?
#11249:
March 09, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
When you hate the main character
Creating characters who won't annoy your readers so much that they stop reading
How flawed is too flawed?
#11235:
March 02, 2022
by
Nixie
Cozy up to a Fur Baby with a Cozie
Exploration of a mystery sub-genre, known as a Cozy, with an added twist.
What character traits would you choose for your pet in a mystery?
#11218:
February 16, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Writer: Dame Ngaio Marsh
This issue will discuss the writings from Dame Ngaio Marsh - the "Queen of Crime"
Who was known as the Queen of Crime?
#11204:
February 09, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Inspiration for mystery
Getting ideas for mystery stories
Where do you get your story ideas?
#11184:
January 26, 2022
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Writer: John Buchan
The father of the man on the run and other stories of self sacrifice
What essay prize did John Buchan win while attending Oxford?
#11171:
January 19, 2022
by
eyestar~*
Medieval Mystery
A peek at Ellis Peters and Mary Frazer's Medieval Mysteries
Do you have a favorite medieval mystery?
#11167:
January 12, 2022
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Liars and lie detectors
Polygraphs in mystery stories
Are you lying to me?
#11131:
December 22, 2021
by
eyestar~*
Crime Writer of Bones!
About crime writer Kathy Reichs?
How much of you or your crime stories show up in your mystery works?
#11119:
December 15, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Stop thief!
Stolen items in mysteries
Who could have taken it?
#11110:
December 08, 2021
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Writer: Lawrence Sanders
The First Deadly Sin and others... who's counting?
What's your favorite deadly sin to write about?
#11101:
December 01, 2021
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Writer: Robert Travers
Anatomy of a Lawyer, or of a fly fisher? Investigation will help recover the truth
Did Robert Travers like fly fishing or flying?
#11068:
November 24, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Plot Twist!!!
Plot twists, when done well, are a superb addition to the suspense in your story.
What's a 'plot twist' that you've never been able to forget?
#11079:
November 17, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
But that wouldn’t happen in real life
Keeping mysteries real
Could they really do that?
#11056:
November 03, 2021
by
Autumn Adore♥
Mystery Story Writer: Agatha Christie
A look at the Queen of Mystery - Dame Agatha Christie
Can you guess who once was the biggest author in the genre?
#11044:
October 27, 2021
by
Thankful Sonali HAPPY 23 WDC!
Solver on a Salver
Because only the 'detective' must solve it!
What do you do with the supporting cast?
#11036:
October 20, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
When the trail grows cold
Solving cold cases
But it was so long ago
#11025:
October 13, 2021
by
Jayne
The Need to Know
The legacies of unsolved mysteries and what they can tell us about endings.
Have you ever read a book where you questioned if you truly understood the ending?
#11011:
October 06, 2021
by
Annette
Darkness
The cover of darkness is perfect for mysterious events.
Do you fear darkness or do you live in darkness?
#11000:
September 29, 2021
by
Autumn Adore♥
A Look at What Makes a Good Mystery
Mystery newsletter all about Mystery writing
Just what bait do I need to keep my reader baited?
#10990:
September 22, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
The perfect hiding place
Finding the perfect hiding place
Where can I hide?
#10981:
September 15, 2021
by
Jayne
Subverting Tropes
Upending tropes to help create unique work
What's the most unique story/book you've read?
#10929:
September 08, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Hiding Clues
Twists and misdirection. Tips on hiding clues in a story.
Do you enjoy a good scavenger hunt?
#10956:
September 01, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Full of Surprises!
Celebrating 21 Years or Writing.Com!
Has anyone ever thrown a surprise party for you?
#10947:
August 25, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
The bad guys
Mystery villains
Why did they do it?
#10938:
August 18, 2021
by
Jayne
Are You Up for a Little...Murder?
WdC's annual murder mystery Masquerade Party arrives September 1st!
Have you been to a live dinner-theatre style murder mystery?
#10907:
August 11, 2021
by
Annette
Gripping Tales
Write as if you are the reader.
What would you do to keep yourself on the edge of your seat while writing?
#10897:
July 28, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Running an obstacle course
Creating obstacles for your characters
What's in the way now?
#10883:
July 21, 2021
by
Jayne
The Meddling Kids Are Useless
It's no mystery why not all tropes work in all places.
Can you think of a main character who had no impact on the outcome of a story?
#10834:
July 14, 2021
by
Annette
Etiology
Everything has an origin. Origin mysteries make good stories.
Is there a natural mystery that is more fun to explain with fiction than science?
#10859:
July 07, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Mysterious Sub-genres
Exploring popular mystery sub-genres.
Do you have a favorite mystery sub-genre that you enjoy reading?
#10853:
June 30, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
How not to write a mystery story
Avoiding common mistakes in mystery stories
What makes a good mystery story?
#10838:
June 23, 2021
by
Jayne
Honkaku: Testing Your Logic
A quick overview of Japanese mystery fiction known as honkaku
Have you read any honkaku?
#10807:
June 16, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Mystery/Crime Thriller Plot Outlines
An outline idea to help you write your next mystery.
Do you write outlines for your stories/novels?
#10767:
June 09, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
How To Not Get Caught
Some realistic ways your characters can avoid getting caught.
Do you prefer reading stories where the bad guy gets caught or remains elusive?
#10797:
June 02, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mysteries of old stuff
Old photos, letters, and forgotten treasures
What is in that old box?
#10788:
May 26, 2021
by
Jayne
Weapons of Convenience
Not every whodunnit has a criminal mastermind.
What weapon details do authors frequently get wrong?
#10780:
May 19, 2021
by
Jayne
Hey, Look Over There!
Are you writing red herrings or a kettle of fish?
What's your favourite way to throw your readers off the trail?
#10761:
May 12, 2021
by
Annette
Cunning & Cozy
Make your mystery stories engaging and thrilling.
Where do you hide the clues?
#10750:
May 05, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Private eyes are watching you
Private detectives in mystery stories
Will you take my case?
#10737:
April 28, 2021
by
Jayne
Horrified by Thrills, Thrilled by Horror
The difference between the psychological thriller and psychological horror genre.
Do you prefer a thrilling horror or a horrifying thriller? What's your favourite psychological genre book or movie?
#10710:
April 14, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Murder Mysteries: Crime or Suspense
What’s the difference, anyway?
Do you have a favorite mystery author?
#10701:
April 07, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Spring mysteries
Mysteries of the changing seasons
What was hidden under the snow?
#10637:
March 31, 2021
by
Jayne
The Mystery of Mysteries
Disentangling the subgenres of mystery.
Do you think subgenres have become too niche?
#10664:
March 17, 2021
by
Annette
Vernal Equinox
Spring begins on March 20, 2021 at 9:37 a.m. in London, UK.
What does the beginning of spring mean to you?
#10655:
March 10, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
It all comes down to motive
Motive in mystery stories
Why did you do it?
#10634:
March 03, 2021
by
Jayne
Are You Sure It's A Mystery?
The blurry lines between mystery, thriller, and crime stories.
Has an author ever disappointed you by promising a certain genre of book but delivering something different?
#10629:
February 24, 2021
by
Annette
Stonehenge Not Set In Stone
Archeologists have solved a mystery. At least that's their story.
Who moved Stonehenge and why?
#10610:
February 10, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Just a little mystery
Short mystery stories
How quickly can you figure out who did it?
#10589:
February 03, 2021
by
eyestar~*
Mystery of First Lines!
What does a first line need to hook a reader?
What is a first line of a mystery story that hooked you?
#10586:
January 27, 2021
by
eyestar~*
More To Mystery!
A few things to ponder on the Mysterious.
Have you ever written a mystery outside of the genre of crime/detective stories?
#10562:
January 13, 2021
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Let’s split up and search for clues!
Gathering evidence
Is this a clue?
#10545:
January 06, 2021
by
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 🎗️
Armed and Dangerous
Foreshadowing can be a difficult element to pick up but very effective in mystery writing especially.
If you know what will happen in a novel, does it make reading more or less enjoyable?
#10517:
December 16, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Just a peaceful small town
Small town mysteries
Nothing ever happens in this town (or does it?)
#10503:
December 09, 2020
by
amy-Has a great future ahead
Mystery-Personification
This issue will highlight the different things that can be personified in writing and give the reader some good reads.
What mystery writer's resonate with you most?
#10474:
November 18, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mysteries of 2020
The insanity of 2020 in mysteries
Who was that masked man?
#10458:
November 11, 2020
by
eyestar~*
Did you say "squirrel"?
It's all about distraction...yep...red herrings!
Do you have a favourite "red herring" example that kept you going til the end in a mystery story?
#10427:
October 21, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Novel or short story?
Too long, too short, or just right
How long should your mystery be?
#10411:
October 14, 2020
by
Annette
Fascinating Mummies
Ancient cultures talk to us from the grave.
What can go wrong if 59 mummies get unearthed in October 2020?
#10377:
September 23, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Piece by piece
Putting together the jigsaw puzzle of a mystery
Where does this piece fit?
#10369:
September 16, 2020
by
~Minja~
Great Mystery
Jack the Ripper mystery is 130 years old and this is probably the main reason why it is so intimidating.
In your opinion, what makes a murder mystery great?
#10338:
August 26, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
It’s all a matter of perspective
Character perspective in mysteries
How is the view from over there?
#10323:
August 19, 2020
by
eyestar~*
Sir Arthur or Dame Agatha?
a few facts about these classic crime writers: Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie! Which would you choose?
Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie? Who do you prefer?
#10294:
July 29, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I'll be watching you
Stalkers in mystery stories
Who sent this note?
#10280:
July 22, 2020
by
eyestar~*
Murder is the Word!
Defining murder.
n/a
#10249:
July 01, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mystery takes a vacation
Summer mysteries
What did your characters do last summer?
#10206:
June 03, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Eye of the beholder
Perspective in mysteries
Who is holding the camera?
#10197:
May 27, 2020
by
~Minja~
Mysterious Cases in Art
Studying paintings sharpen senses and improves critical thinking skills.
How ART you today? (The best artistic answer gets an artistic MB)
#10170:
May 13, 2020
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Small Town Mysteries
Small towns are affected differently when it comes to a murder.
Death, murder, or disappearance?
#10160:
May 06, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I saw the whole thing
Witnesses to a crime
What did you see?
#10142:
April 29, 2020
by
eyestar~*
Medical Thrillers
a peek at the genre of Medical Mysteries.
Do you read Medical Thrillers? Why or Why not?
#10124:
April 15, 2020
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Suspicious Readers
Writing for the reader who questions everything you write about can be quite tricky.
As a reader, do you prefer the more complex books or an easy read? Or does it depend on your mood?
#10110:
April 08, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I didn’t see that coming!
Stories with a twist
Did you expect that?
#10103:
April 01, 2020
by
~Minja~
When a Small-Town Mystery Get Lynched
Twin Peaks- the only mystery that doesn't need to be solved.
What is your all-time favorite small-town mystery? Why?
#10076:
March 18, 2020
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Toilet Paper Mysteries Vol. 1
Wildfires can be contained if you react in time.
From a writer’s perspective only, what’s the most important thing in a crisis?
#10065:
March 11, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I did it because...
Establishing motivation
Why did they do it?
#10055:
March 04, 2020
by
Gaby ~ Busy!
Character Selection
Deciding on the character/s for your story can be tricky at times.
How do you select the right characters for your story?
#10024:
February 19, 2020
by
eyestar~*
Mystery Lady Lilian Jackson Braun
Lillian Jackson Braun and her Cosy mysteries.
What is your favourite "Cosy" Mystery?
#10015:
February 12, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Finding and hiding clues
Let’s split up and search for clues!
What does it mean?
#9999:
February 05, 2020
by
Storm
Withholding Information
n/a
#9973:
January 22, 2020
by
Annette
Tintin is a Reporter
Reporters make great detectives.
Why don't we ever see one of Tintin's adventures reproduced in article format?
#9964:
January 15, 2020
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mysterious people
Developing mystery characters
Can these people be trusted?
#9956:
January 08, 2020
by
~Minja~
Detective Quirks
Quirks make the main character memorable.
Who is your favorite fictional detective?
#9932:
December 25, 2019
by
Kate - Writing & Reading
Unwrapping Clues
Solving the puzzle often requires navigating a maze of clues often despite the clues
Do you have more fun solving the puzzle or hiding/planting the clues?
#9919:
December 18, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Dark tribute
Blackmail in mysteries
How much would your character pay?
#9905:
December 11, 2019
by
eyestar~*
Christmas Mysteries?
a peek at mysteries set at Christmas...finding a gift.
What is your favourite mystery set in the Christmas season? Any suggestions as Christmas gifts?
#9903:
December 04, 2019
by
Sara♥Jean
Online Writing Tools
Mysteries sometimes lose their flavor halfway through as they focus on the mystery. Here's some ways to avoid that.
Do you have any other online tools to share with your fellow writers?
#9877:
November 20, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Wrapping up your mystery
Revealing the solution
How does your story end?
#9848:
November 13, 2019
by
amy-Has a great future ahead
Deciding Where Everything Goes
This newsletter will give reader insight into how to organize for writing.
How realistic do you like the novels you read to be?
#9855:
November 06, 2019
by
Sara♥Jean
Can Gaming and Character Creation Mix?
Connecting game character sheets and characters in your longer stories.
Have you ever created a 'character sheet', of sorts, for your characters? How can this help you when actually writing?
#9838:
October 30, 2019
by
Kate - Writing & Reading
Plotting a Puzzle that's Dark
Clues planted where they flicker just past the corner of the eye, among whispers of fear
Planting clues is the dark places of the mind ~ does the mystery rule or does fear take over?
#9824:
October 23, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Tampering with evidence
Don't let unreliable evidence fool your characters
Can this evidence be trusted?
#9816:
October 16, 2019
by
Warped Sanity
Uncovering the Evidence (or Hiding it)
Ways mystery writers write in the clues, without giving the conclusion away.
How do you uncover the evidence in your mystery writing without making the conclusion apparent too early in the story?
#9788:
October 02, 2019
by
Warped Sanity
Timeless Mystery
Classic Children's mystery: why they are important for young people to read today and why they remain popular.
What makes classic children's mysteries so memorable?
#9773:
September 25, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Autumn mysteries
Mysteries set in the fall
What is buried in that pile of leaves?
#9764:
September 18, 2019
by
Annette
The TV Show Formula
There is a method to mystery writing - you can use it if you want to.
How can you tell who dun it right away?
#9739:
September 04, 2019
by
Annette
Forest
Forests hold many mysteries and secrets for us to discover.
Do you really want to know what's on the other side of that tree?
#9728:
August 28, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mistaken identity
Mistaken identity in mystery stories
Who are you?
#9713:
August 21, 2019
by
~Minja~
Invitation to a Murder
Amusement, friendly interaction, plot twists, unusual characters are all it takes for a great murder mystery.
Jack tells Jill, "This isn't the $5 bill you left on the table. I found it between pages 15 and 16 of Harry Potter." Jill retorts, "You're lying and I can prove it." How did Jill know?
#9691:
August 07, 2019
by
Annette
The Open Window
Giving a misleading clue.
How did they get out?
#9680:
July 31, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I found it!
Searching for lost or hidden articles...
What unique spots can you think of for lost items?
#9660:
July 24, 2019
by
Annette
You Hide, They Seek
A good mystery writer gives clues that can be found.
Do you have to give clues to find clues?
#9650:
July 10, 2019
by
amy-Has a great future ahead
Starting Slowly
In this newsletter be prepared to get insight about how to ease into a new genre you are just trying to write in.
What are your three favorite fictional detectives?
#9633:
July 03, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
I’ll never tell
Secrets in mystery stories
Do you want to know a secret?
#9612:
June 26, 2019
by
Thankful Sonali HAPPY 23 WDC!
The Mystery of Coincidence
This happened twelve years ago. It probably wasn't coincidence.
Does anything happen by coincidence?
#9613:
June 19, 2019
by
Sara♥Jean
Wake Me Up!
Appropriate pacing in stories will keep your reader interested, awake, and wanting more. How do you do that in mystery?
A mystery has some unique elements that some other books may not be able to take advantage of. What are they?
#9593:
June 12, 2019
by
Kate - Writing & Reading
What Grows in the Garden
Attending to what grows or lies fallow in your story or poem.
Planting seeds vs. planting clues - do you harvest clues or do you uncover seeds?
#9579:
June 05, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Mysterious gifts
Strange packages
What could it be?
#9566:
May 29, 2019
by
Thankful Sonali HAPPY 23 WDC!
Miniature Mysteries - Riddles in Rhyme
Exploring the use of poetic puzzles to create little mysteries for readers and characters to solve.
You must confess -- did you guess? Did the lines of poetry -- help you solve the mystery?
#9564:
May 22, 2019
by
Sara♥Jean
"Ideanary" for Mystery
My favorite Writing.Com Tool, for my favorite Writing.Com Genre
What is your favorite tool to help with your writing?
#9546:
May 15, 2019
by
eyestar~*
Mystery poems?
looking for mystery authors who write poems and Mystery poems!
How would you define mystery poems?
#9533:
May 08, 2019
by
Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
Treasure in the attic
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure
This is just old junk, isn’t it?
#9479:
May 01, 2019
by
Annette
Seven Tools to Write Mystery Stories
There is a road map for writing suspenseful stories.
You want to crack the mystery code? Enter here.
#9513:
April 24, 2019
by
Sara♥Jean