23 authors share tips on writing mystery and thriller novels that readers love, covering topics related to building suspense, inserting humor, crafting incredible villains, and figuring out the time of death.
Whether your work-in-progress features a witch's familiar, a talking animal sidekick, or a companion pet, WD editor Moriah Richard gives you the basics on how to create an animal character.
Mystery and crime novelist Russ Thomas discusses why he believes character is the beginning and ending of writing and what inspired his latest book, Nighthawking.
Bestselling author Sebastian Fitzek shares his top 5 tips for writing a successful psychological thriller.
Bestselling author Dana Stabenow shares her top tips for writing the best crime novel possible.
Thriller author Amy Gentry shares her experience writing her latest novel, Bad Habits, and why it's important to take full ownership of your work.
In the last of this two-part answer, author and trained fighter Carla Hoch explains the physical mechanics behind a knife fight and provides useful tips for your next project.
Bestselling author Sebastian Fitzek discusses the inspiration behind his latest psychological thriller, The Package, and delivers expert advice for aspiring authors.
Bestselling author Dana Stabenow discusses her latest mystery novel, Spoils of the Dead, and why it leans more toward the cozy side.
Author Stephanie Wrobel explains how she came to write about mental illness and how it affects familial relationships, as well as getting inside the head of an unusual character.
Screenwriter and novelist Timothy Miller explains how he came to write historical fiction and how research can help him drive his plot.
Authors Dr. Munish Batra and Keith R.A. DeCandido explain how they came to co-write their novel and why it's important to them that the readers experience outrage while reading.
Award-winning mystery author Jane K. Cleland describes what it's like to write a long-running book series and offers expert advice for the genre writer.
USA Today bestselling author Leighann Dobbs explains why she writes cozy mysteries from a cat's perspective and how she's still learning new writing skills.
In this article, author and trained fighter Carla Hoch explains the basics of various types of knives and the implications a knife fight may have on your characters and plot.
Mystery novelist Tessa Wegert gives writers simple tricks to ensuring your character's secrets are revealed at just the right time.
Award-winning author Les Edgerton explores how a short story he wrote at age 13 paved the way for his latest noir novel.
Author and trained fighter Carla Hoch answers a writer's question about writing from the perspective of criminals and when best to utilize a fight.
In this article, author Tessa Arlen explains how to navigate the differences between American and English audiences and create a realistic historical mystery.
Mystery writer Nev March shares how she found herself writing historical mysteries and what she hopes readers will get from her storytelling.
Author Jennifer J. Chow shares her expertise on what makes a great cozy mystery novel engaging and thrilling.
Award-winning author Nev March shares what inspired her award-winning mystery debut, how the editing process went after it was accepted, and so much more.
Author Jennifer J. Chow shares how writing cozy mysteries helps spark optimism and hope, what was different about writing the second novel in her Sassy Cat mystery series, and so much more.
Award-winning crime author Stephanie Kane explains how she builds characters unlike herself and navigates their worlds to create vivid and realistic stories.