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Writing a Cozy Mystery Case Files: A How-To Guide to Writing a Cozy Mystery
If you’re ready to write a cozy mystery, this book is for you! Writing a Cozy Case Files is a practical guide that will take you through the process step-by-step.
Understanding the many elements of a cozy mystery is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. How do the sleuth, victim, villain, and suspects work together in the context of a cozy mystery plot? How do you mine the news for story ideas, and then mold them into something original? What are red herrings and how do you misdirect the reader while hiding the villain in plain sight?
Writing a Cozy Case Files, a Step-by-Step Field Guide will help
~Become a book sleuth
~Create dossiers for your sleuth, victim, and villain
~Populate your sleuth's world with suspects
~Develop your cozy hook
~Build your setting
~Come up with a punny title
~Craft the crime
~Master clues and red herrings
~Build the investigation
~And more...
Melissa Bourbon, National and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of more than 30 mystery novels and the founder of WriterSpark Academy has taken her experience and proven process to create Writing a Cozy Case Files. Get ready to commit murder…
Understanding the many elements of a cozy mystery is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. How do the sleuth, victim, villain, and suspects work together in the context of a cozy mystery plot? How do you mine the news for story ideas, and then mold them into something original? What are red herrings and how do you misdirect the reader while hiding the villain in plain sight?
Writing a Cozy Case Files, a Step-by-Step Field Guide will help
~Become a book sleuth
~Create dossiers for your sleuth, victim, and villain
~Populate your sleuth's world with suspects
~Develop your cozy hook
~Build your setting
~Come up with a punny title
~Craft the crime
~Master clues and red herrings
~Build the investigation
~And more...
Melissa Bourbon, National and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of more than 30 mystery novels and the founder of WriterSpark Academy has taken her experience and proven process to create Writing a Cozy Case Files. Get ready to commit murder…
- GenresWritingNonfiction
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2023
About the author
Melissa Bourbon
48 books809 followersWant to be notified of my upcoming and new releases? Click the FOLLOW button to the left!
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***
Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of more than forty novels and nonfiction writing resource books. All of her books feature strong female and family relationships, bits of history, and lots of fun.
Melissa used to teach middle school English/Language Arts, but now she teaches creative writing to adults. She founded WriterSpark Academy, an online school for aspiring and new writers seeking to hone their craft.
Find me online!
Website:
http://melissabourbon.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBourb... ArcherBooks
Goodreads:
https://bit.ly/MelissaOnGoodreads
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/bookishly_cozy
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/melissabour...
Are you an aspiring writer? Learn about about WriterSpark Academy at www.writersparkacademy.com
For updates about my books and writing life, sign up for my newsletter on my website: http://melissabourbon.com
Follow me on BookBub for the latest on new releases and sales: HTTP://bit.ly/MelissaOnBookBub
***
Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of more than forty novels and nonfiction writing resource books. All of her books feature strong female and family relationships, bits of history, and lots of fun.
Melissa used to teach middle school English/Language Arts, but now she teaches creative writing to adults. She founded WriterSpark Academy, an online school for aspiring and new writers seeking to hone their craft.
Find me online!
Website:
http://melissabourbon.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBourb... ArcherBooks
Goodreads:
https://bit.ly/MelissaOnGoodreads
Instagram:
http://instagram.com/bookishly_cozy
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/melissabour...
Are you an aspiring writer? Learn about about WriterSpark Academy at www.writersparkacademy.com
For updates about my books and writing life, sign up for my newsletter on my website: http://melissabourbon.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 4, 2023
Melissa Bourbon is knowledgeable and combines her experience as a teacher along with her vast expertise as a cozy mystery author to create a practical guide that will help anyone interesting in writing a cozy. One of the things I liked best about this book are the examples. She talks about a concept, then gives examples of authors that have done it well. So, if you want to see what she's referring to, just pick up the cozy mystery book she's referring to and see the concepts in action. She pulls back the curtain and exposes all of the cozy mystery writing secrets.
March 23, 2023
Engaging and Practical
This book is so accessible, easy to follow, and helpful!
I loved the simple, practical exercises. The graphic charts! The book deserves more stars for these graphics alone. They explain everything with memorable illustrations and crisp, clear definitions.
The best part for me was its step by step method. It allowed me to take everything at my own pace and build on my knowledge with every chapter and exercise. If only college had been like this!
I highly recommend this book for anyone starting to write cozy mysteries.
This book is so accessible, easy to follow, and helpful!
I loved the simple, practical exercises. The graphic charts! The book deserves more stars for these graphics alone. They explain everything with memorable illustrations and crisp, clear definitions.
The best part for me was its step by step method. It allowed me to take everything at my own pace and build on my knowledge with every chapter and exercise. If only college had been like this!
I highly recommend this book for anyone starting to write cozy mysteries.
December 16, 2023
I have read quite a few how-to books when it comes to writing cozy mysteries. Unlike some others, this is clearly written by a gifted teacher. It is concise, structured and gives examples.
April 7, 2023
An easy to read how-to book with straightforward information that cozy writers need to know.
In addition, the book explains how mysteries help us deal with our own mortality and our need for justice. In a cozy, the sleuth solves the puzzle of whodunnit and gets justice for the dead. It explains the rules, tropes, and themes for the genre. Though these defining aspects are used by most authors, it’s what each author brings to the book in terms of story elements that has the prospect of setting your book apart.
The crafting of a story is discussed, everything from pun-filled titles to setting, characterization, hooks, and so much more. Best of all, each writing element is illustrated by examples that make it easy to see firsthand how this works. Whether you want to know how to select a character’s name or backstory, the information is all there, as is the fate of the perfect character. Also, there’s a reminder that the sleuth and villain have opposing goals.
This well-rounded primer is backed by experience and filled with technique, style, and how-to examples. Just the book for an aspiring cozy author.
In addition, the book explains how mysteries help us deal with our own mortality and our need for justice. In a cozy, the sleuth solves the puzzle of whodunnit and gets justice for the dead. It explains the rules, tropes, and themes for the genre. Though these defining aspects are used by most authors, it’s what each author brings to the book in terms of story elements that has the prospect of setting your book apart.
The crafting of a story is discussed, everything from pun-filled titles to setting, characterization, hooks, and so much more. Best of all, each writing element is illustrated by examples that make it easy to see firsthand how this works. Whether you want to know how to select a character’s name or backstory, the information is all there, as is the fate of the perfect character. Also, there’s a reminder that the sleuth and villain have opposing goals.
This well-rounded primer is backed by experience and filled with technique, style, and how-to examples. Just the book for an aspiring cozy author.
January 4, 2024
Ready to dive into writing the cozy mystery? Well, here's an all-encompassing book for your consideration. I've been writing cozy mysteries for over 10 years now and I enjoyed Melissa's take on the genre, as well as picked up a few pointers and reminders. A great way to avoid the potholes that surround the cozy genre.
April 1, 2023
A great guide and reference tool for writing a cozy mystery. Author, Melissa Bourbon takes you step by step through every aspect of writing a mystery, including graphics, illustrations, and thought-provoking questions. A perfect choice for anyone thinking about writing a cozy mystery.
May 30, 2023
This is a wonderful easy-to-follow book on how to write a cozy mystery, something Melissa Bourbon herself is very experienced and skilled at. If you are thinking about writing a cozy mystery, or even if you are a fan of cozy mysteries and wonder how it's done, I highly recommend this book!
February 10, 2024
Writing a Cozy Mystery
A good coverage for every aspect of a cozy mystery along with lots of examples and workshops.By the last page the potential writer will have an outline to her/ his book
A good coverage for every aspect of a cozy mystery along with lots of examples and workshops.By the last page the potential writer will have an outline to her/ his book
July 4, 2024
Quite a helpful book for those of us considering writing in the cozy mystery genre. The author gives a lot of good structure that can be followed or adjusted to the writer's needs. She follows up with examples that are helpful as well. A key resource for beginning writers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews