Mystery/Thriller
Brian Freeman: On "Rebooting" Another Writer's Legacy
In this article, Brian Freeman, author of Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Treachery, discusses how he took up the mantle of a great series and made it his own.
Essential Versus Non-Essential Mystery
What gets a reader to keep turning pages? Author Amanda Kabak seeks to answer that question here.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Trying to Shock Without Value
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake writers make is trying to shock without value.
Jennifer Ashley: On Writing the Whodunnit
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley discusses how she writes a whodunnit historical mystery and the process of writing her latest release, Death at the Crystal Palace.
T.J. Newman: On Letting Real Life Inspire You
Author T.J. Newman discusses how her job as a flight attendant inspired her to write her debut release Falling.
FightWrite™: Why Writers Should Copy Fight Scene Formats
You should never copy anyone else's work ... right? Trained fighter and author Carla Hoch explains why that's not necessarily the case when writing a fight scene.
3 Do’s and Don’ts of World-Building for Writers
In this article, WD editor Moriah Richard tackles 3 important do’s and don’ts for writers as they tackle the world-building in their works-in-progress.
5 Tips for Writing a Good Book Series
From genre to setting to character, novelist Tracy Clark has 5 tips for ensuring that your book series is the best it can be.
Paul Neilan: On Implementing Dark Humor
In this article, author Paul Neilan explains how he came up with the idea for his mystery and dark comedy novel The Hollywood Spiral.
Don Bentley: On Being Picked to Write a Book in a Famous Series
Thriller author Don Bentley discusses how he was selected to write Target Acquired, the latest Tom Clancy novel.
Charles Martin: On Writing About the Most Difficult Topics
New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin discusses what inspired him to write a book about human trafficking and the internal struggle of researching and writing such a difficult topic.
FightWrite™: Fighting Multiple Opponents
When it comes to writing fight scenes with multiple opponents, a writer can become overwhelmed quickly. Author and trained fighter Carla Hoch is ready to help you.
Nekesa Afia: On Approaching Genre as a Challenge
In this article, novelist Nekesa Afia explains how she initially wrote a romance novel, but then switched over to the mystery and historical fiction genres to challenge herself, producing her debut title, Dead Dead Girls.
Dale Brown: On Giving Your Series a New Direction
Bestselling author Dale Brown explains why he decided to pivot his thriller novel Arctic Storm Rising, which is part of his ongoing Nick Flynn series.
M.M. Chouinard: On Jumping From One Project to Another
Novelist M.M. Chouinard immediately started writing her second book after finishing her first and shares here why that was the best decision she could have made.
FightWrite™: How Do People Who Don’t Know How to Fight, Fight?
If your character isn't a trained fighter but the scene calls for a fight, how can you make the scene realistic? Author and trained fighter Carla Hoch has the answers for writers here.
The Problem of Solving a Mystery When You're the Prime Suspect
Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic & Adobo, explains how writers can help their main character solve a mystery when they're the prime suspect.
8 Ways to Add Suspense to Your Novel
Authors Mark and Connor Sullivan are no strangers to utilizing suspense in their novels. Here, they share their top 8 tips for writers to do the same.
Why Memory Is the Scariest Thing Of All in a Psychological Thriller Novel
Critically acclaimed thriller novelist Carter Wilson explains why he uses memory—or complete lack thereof—as a central thematic element in his works and how other writers can as well.
5 Points to Consider About Your Crime Fiction Setting
Noir novelist W.A. Winter gives writers his top tips for ensuring the setting is just right for their crime fiction.
What Is World-Building?
You might have heard the term before or are even an expert at it without realizing. WD editor Moriah Richard is here to lay out exactly what world-building is for writers of all genres.
W.A. Winter: On the Joys of Writing Crime Fiction
Crime and suspense author W.A. Winter discusses why he decided on fiction over true crime for his latest novel, The Secret Lives of Dentists, and how writing this book brought him joy.
Planting Clues: Red Herrings That Fool but Don't Frustrate Your Readers
Want to know how to keep your readers engaged and entertained with your mystery novel? Let these six tips from thriller author Kris Calvin guide you!
Bridget Foley: On Writing Psychologically Potent Metaphors
Novelist Bridget Foley explains the seed that grew into her latest book Just Get Home and how she stayed hopeful in the face of rejection.