You Can Write a Mystery
Gillian Roberts
Untreed Reads
<p>A prevalent myth has it that the ability to write is innate, almost genetic—like freckles or a predisposition to diabetes. You either have it or you don’t, and too bad for you if you don’t. This isn’t said of the other arts. One seldom hears that people are born opera singers, ballerinas, sculptors, or pianists and therefore voice and music conservatories, ballet masters and art institutes are foolish indulgences.</p> <p>The truth is, all disciplines have a craft component, skills that enable artists to realize their vision. This includes the art of writing mysteries.</p> <p>This book offers practical suggestions for handling problems likely to arise during the writing process. These aren’t hard-and-fast rules like those for physics, football or international shipping. These are techniques and concepts that can make the going easier. Once you’re aware of them, you can use them, break them, realign them or twist them any way you see fit. Whatever works works. We call this form a novel because it’s there to be reinvented and made new.</p>