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Detective fiction writing Writing Genres

How to write a detective story: 7 keys to a killer whodunnit

The crime subgenre of detective fiction has many aspects that are key to a good story. Cause and effect are strong. Because every character is a potential suspect, we remember how important it is for every story character to have compelling motivations, public and private lives. Here are 7 keys to writing an effective detective novel or short story:

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Mystery writing Writing Genres

Writing a mystery novel: 7 items your story needs

Writing a mystery novel is challenging. It demands a keen sense for plot, characterization and creating suspense. A story that actively engages readers in solving the mystery (or in trying to piece together the narrative threads) needs at least 7 elements:

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Character writing Romance Writing Writing Genres

How to write a romance novel: Choosing subgenres

If you want to learn how to write a romance novel, it’s important to familiarize yourself with genre’s many subgenres. After deciding whether you want to write category or single title romance novels, it’s time to choose your romance subgenre:

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Writing Genres

Genres of writing: How to choose your story’s vehicle

Genres of writing serve multiple purposes. Classifying a book by genre signals to potential readers whether your story fits their reading interests. When a book has an identifiable genre, publishers can also market it to the right readers more effectively. Here are some reasons why you need to identify a genre for your book and some of the most popular fiction genres:

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Character writing Writing Genres YA writing

Writing for all ages: why do adults read YA novels?

Depending on which survey you read, adults buy anywhere from 55 to 80 percent of YA novels, and they make a substantial number of those purchases for themselves, but why is YA fiction writing for all ages? Here are a few reasons along with writing tips that writers of all types of fiction can take from YA’s global success.

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Writing crime Writing Genres

How to pace a crime novel

If you want to write gripping, gritty police procedurals or other crime fiction, knowing how to pace a crime novel is essential. An effective crime novel must keep the reader turning pages while revealing enough information to make the narrative flow at a cracking pace. Here are some suggestions for pacing your crime novel, as well as pitfalls to avoid:

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Writing Genres

Writing fan fiction: Valuable platform or fad?

Fan fiction is a popular genre in which authors use existing fictional characters and worlds as the starting point for their own stories adhering to (or altering) ‘canon’ or the history of an author’s work. Learn more about this genre and its practicalities:

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Science fiction writing Writing Genres

43 must-visit sci-fi websites for writers

The imagining of possible worlds is the staple of science fiction. Here are 43 must-visit sci-fi websites for writers:

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Guest authors Novel research Writing Genres

Historical fiction: 7 elements of research

This guest contribution is by author and historical fiction blogger M.K. Tod of A Writer of History. Mary provides valuable insights into the particular research required of the historical fiction writer, along with practical advice for sourcing the factual material that will help bring a bygone era to life in your novel.

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