The Technique of the Mystery Story

[crich70]

I thought I'd pass on this link in case anyone here at MR is interested in writing mysteries. It's at feedbooks in multiple formats and is free of charge and in the PD. It was written by Carolyn Wells.

Click

[Dr. Drib]

ADDED:

"This work is available for countries where copyright is Life+70 and in the USA."

[curtw]

There's also a copy here in the MR library--does anybody have an inkling as to whether the feed books edition is better or worse-formatted?

[pendragginp]

to all of you for this in all places.

I haven't taken a good look at it yet but the MR books are usually extremely well done.

[crich70]

Here's the MR link. I had no idea it was here. Patricia put it up along with several of the author's works.

Click

[Lazer]

Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes I think I understand the recipe... but there may be more than one way to cook chicken.

TL

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Lazer

Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes I think I understand the recipe... but there may be more than one way to cook chicken.

TL

You're welcome Lazer.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Lazer

Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes I think I understand the recipe... but there may be more than one way to cook chicken.

TL

I suspect that mystery stories may require some greater consistency in the approach than other genre's ... but only some. But you're right, there are many ways to cook chicken. There was a blog article that did the rounds with "10 rules for writing" from several successful authors (Neil Gaiman is the one I remember, but there were quite a few). It seemed to me that that article demonstrated two things: firstly, there is only one rule - you have to actually write; and secondly, everyone does it differently.

[pendragginp]

firstly, there is only one rule - you have to actually write; and secondly, everyone does it differently.

The bumper sticker for writers.