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Courses >
Writing & Publishing > Mystery Writing
 What makes a mystery?
If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.
This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.
Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.
The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.
Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.
Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.
This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Steve Alcorn.
 Steve Alcorn is the published author of a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works, including the mystery "A Matter of Justice," the historical novel "Everything in Its Path," the romance "Ring of Diamonds" (under the pseudonym Sharon Stevens), and an illustrated journal of his travels around the world called "Travel Kid." When he isn't writing and teaching, Steve serves as the president of Alcorn McBride Inc., a company that engineers equipment for all of your favorite theme park rides.
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Requirements:
Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).
Syllabus:
All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.
| Week One |
| Wednesday - Lesson 01 |
You're probably wondering if you can really write a novel or screenplay. You may have already started one—maybe even several—and then run out of steam. In this first lesson, you'll begin finding out the secret that guarantees success. It's the secret of knowing where you're going before you start. We'll also take some time today to discuss what makes a mystery great, and to explore a number of real-world examples.
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| Friday - Lesson 02 |
Did you know that there's a big difference between story and plot? Amazingly, even many professional authors are confused about this. Today you'll learn that plot is physical while story is emotional. Balancing the two is one of the keys to writing fiction that will satisfy your audience.
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| Week Two |
| Wednesday - Lesson 03 |
This lesson is about the dramatic elements at the heart of every story: passion, theme, character, and premise. Your passion is what drives you to tell your story and the theme is the underlying message it carries. To convey your theme, you create characters that represent it—either positively or negatively. Put these elements together and you've got your premise.
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| Friday - Lesson 04 |
Character is what story is all about. Without a character—and a change in him or her—there can be no story. Today, you'll discover why the best characters are flawed. We'll explore you main character—the protagonist—and the opposing force of the antagonist. And then we'll look at tricks and techniques for creating characters that are memorable.
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| Week Three |
| Wednesday - Lesson 05 |
In this lesson, we'll explore the structure underlying almost every great story. That's right: Nearly every successful story has the same structure—a structure that virtually guarantees success! Like Sherlock Holmes, we'll examine each element of it under our writer's magnifying glass. Then we'll test our theories against some well-known mysteries. By the end, we'll have solved the mystery of story structure.
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| Friday - Lesson 06 |
This is the first of three lessons in which you'll construct your story outline, act-by-act. In Act 1, you'll hook your readers. Then you'll fill them in with some character history called backstory. Finally, you'll exit Act 1 with a bang by triggering a traumatic event in the life of your protagonist.
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| Week Four |
| Wednesday - Lesson 07 |
Today, we work on Act 2 of your mystery. If Act 1 ended with a bang, Act 2 starts with a whimper. Your protagonist begins in crisis—an emotional state brought on by his or her flaw. And because of that flaw, your protagonist will struggle throughout the act as the antagonist deals setback after setback. Fortunately, at the conclusion of Act 2, your protagonist finally figures out the source of all this emotional distress and overcomes it.
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| Friday - Lesson 08 |
The epiphany that ended Act 2 has prepared your protagonist for triumph in Act 3. So it's time to devise a plan. The result will be a final confrontation with the antagonist. This lesson looks at the best way to defeat the antagonist—it's not what you might guess. Then, with that dramatic climax behind you, you'll be ready to tie up all your story's loose threads in the ending.
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| Week Five |
| Wednesday - Lesson 09 |
We've accomplished a lot and you've gotten pretty comfortable with story structure. This is the lesson where we put it all together. We're going to move from story idea, to story outline, to developing scenes. From these little seeds, we're about to grow a forest.
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| Friday - Lesson 10 |
In this lesson, we'll unravel the internal structure of every piece of fiction you've ever read. This is different from story structure and it's something I bet you never even knew existed. It's called scene and sequel. After today, you'll never forget it.
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| Week Six |
| Wednesday - Lesson 11 |
One of the most important choices an author makes is viewpoint. It affects every aspect of story—from theme, to pacing, to suspense. Today we'll look at the three most common viewpoints: third person omniscient, third person limited, and first person. We'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each by considering examples from real-word mystery novels.
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| Friday - Lesson 12 |
Much of what we've talked about in this course applies to all types of fiction, not just mysteries. So, in learning how to write a great mystery, you've also been learning to be a better writer in all genres. But in this final lesson, we'll examine some elements unique to mystery writing. Then we'll wrap up with ideas about how to follow the roadmap you've created and actually reach your goal of a finished novel or screenplay.
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To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Student Reviews:
"Best fiction writing class I have ever taken. I had no clue whatsoever about how mystery writers write their books until I took this course. Now I plan to actually finish writing a mystery novel and try and get it published, using the outline I was able to write in class."
"During the course I wrote a mystery using your guidelines. I finished it last week and sent off a query letter. The publisher has requested the complete manuscript!"
"Excellent course! I could have saved money on a lot of books I bought if I had taken this class first!"
"Great Course. Instructor is 100% involved and interested in everyone's comprehension of his class. Would strongly recommend to anyone trying to find pace and focus in their writing."
"I am delighted with this course. It offers a structured, clear, and inspired approach to creating a successful mystery. It has helped me reanalyze and rewrite my current novel. Would love to take an advanced topic in this genre. Instructor is superb. Thank you!"
"I thought the course was great and it really showed me what I need to do to be a better writer. A big plus was learning about outlining. Steve showed me that it is much simpler than I thought it would be, which is a big help. Thank you for a great learning opportunity."
"I was hesitant to take an internet course, as this is my first time. I was very pleasantly surprised. It far exceeded my expectations and I learned more than I thought possible in a 12 week course. Steve is an excellent, caring instructor and his advice is right on the mark. The pace of the course made me write every night which is a habit a I plan to continue. The course has helped me better understand the art of writing and given me a new start in my writing career."
"Previously, I considered my writing a hobby. I started, procrastinated and abandoned project after project. You have given me the courage and tools needed to give my writing direction. I am in the process of editing the first draft of my mystery. Actually, I enjoy changing my scenes to fit the guidelines, increasing the emotional developments of my characters, and add clues and misdirection. You made a difference in my life as a writer. Thank you."
"This is THE most information I have ever received to help me to figure out how to write or finish what I have started. Many, many thanks to you for your help and inspiration."
"You may be interested to learn that during the course, I developed a novel. Shortly after completing the course, I finished work on the book and submitted it. It has been accepted by a publisher!! Very helpful course."
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
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