How to Write Killer Fiction

I really thought I knew all there was to writing suspense, but I wanted more insight to mystery. So at the Murder in the Grove conference, I had the honor to meet Carolyn Wheat and buy this book. On the plane ride home from the conference, I found myself immersed in this book like it was a real life page turning suspense roller coaster. Carolyn's insight on this genre is amazing and she should have said this was a foundation guide for mystery and suspense writing because anyone who picks up this book will no doubt after reading it, know how to write in this genre. With easy to understand terminology, lots of examples and references, How to Write Killer Fiction is the bible for how to write mystery and suspense. I myself will treasure this book for years to come and will highly recommend it to any writers out there. Of course no ones touching my copy because its signed by the author. nah-nah! Sylvia Hubbard, Author of Stone's Revenge http://sylviahubbard.com

I read this the first night I got it. It answered my number one question -- howcum the mystery I wrote doesn't work? Could you ask more of a book? Well, you could for this one. It is well written, easy to understand, practical in its advice, and best of all, fairly profound on the philosophy behind the mystery writer's (or thriller writer's) craft. The only thing I would do differently, if I had the chance, is to read this BEFORE I wrote a whole book without knowing whether it was a mystery or a thriller.

If you are looking for the best how to write 'whodunit' source book in the entire world, this is it. Don't walk, don't dawdle, RUN and get this book.I haven't, to my knowledge, read any of Carolyn Wheat's books, but she has the best analytical mind when it comes to disecting what makes other author's books 'work.' She breaks down each factor, gives marvelous samples in current and ancient works (myths), and then lays out the roadmap. If you are a struggling writer trying to write that perfect murder mystery or suspense thriller, this cookbook will teach you how to lay out the story line, point out what 'holes' you may have in your story before you write the words down, then guide you down the path to doing it 'right.' Try this book and study it from cover to cover, then sit down and write your story, then use this book to look back over your plot to see if it fits in with the recipe. If you can't get it to work, then maybe writing isn't what you need to be doing. I have read dozens of books on 'how to write' and after Lawrence Block's books that give great advice, I would rank this one as number one on my list. And, I intend the book to stay on my bookshelf forever!

Carolyn Wheat, an accomplished mystery author, has written one of the best books about genre writing that I have ever read. Using compelling examples, she provides a clear and concise overview of the elements of effective mystery and suspense. After giving valuable information about the history of the two related genres, she devotes special attention to each and shows where and how they overlap. In addition to a strong focus upon the structure of the work, she addresses beginnings and middles, the arc of the story, genre formats, and scene and style. She gives special emphasis to effective endings for both suspense novels and mysteries. Wheat covers all the bases and takes it one step further by discussing writing process, the difference between "Outliners" and "Blank Pagers," and what to do when the piece is finished. Her three page summary of "The Writing Process: Tools to Help You Finish" is worth the price of the book. Also provided is a bibliography of useful books to learn theory, for research, or to find good examples to emulate. HOW TO WRITE KILLER FICTION is an excellent reference and how-to book. All writers who wish to infuse mystery, suspense, or simply a tighter, punchier style to their writing should get this book. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

How To Write Killer Fiction: The Funhouse Of Mystery & The Roller Coaster Of Suspense by award-winning mystery writer, editor, and anthologist Carolyn Wheat is a superbly presented, 192-page, "how-to" instructional reference work about the art of creating masterful and enjoyable novels of mystery and suspense. Individual chapters address style and structure, creating satisfying endings, the logistics of creating a story arc, and more. An excellent primer by a published author who has earned the Anthony, Agatha, Macavity, and Shamus Awards, How To Write Killer Fiction is a "must" for anyone aspiring to work in this demanding and popular genre.