Don't Murder Your Mystery [Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction Book]

We all want to believe that if we could just read something SO PROFOUND, our understanding of the writing craft would magically propel us into greatness for all the world to read. Time-after-after, attempt-after-next, we search and purchase and scour through advice both real and imaginary--book after book. Then, some of us, hopefully close to one million of us, happened upon this great book. I had the pleasure of exchanging email with the author. She was kind enough to extend her wisdom even further in two words: "Trust me". I did, and from her thoughtful, deeply opinionated book, I gained the insight that all mysteries of the world are available to a child if they can be accepted by the faith of one. This book worked for me. Trust her well laid-out architecture and you, too, can have the confidence to write a 740 page epic novel as your very first attempt, as I did. You won't agree with all her strong opinions but, that is style. Style helps you understand yourself and where you are in your art.I thank God for people with the gall to say what they mean and mean what they say. "Don't murder your mystery" is as serious work, but its fun! Buy this book. Be faithful to the principles inside which you select to follow. Define your style in doing so (bonus). Invest simple faith in what she says and DO IT! WRITE YOUR OWN NOVEL!! DO IT! (But get this book first) Oh! And listen: the "mystery" part in the title? Don't let that throw you. My novel is fantasy--horror--erotica--drama... Her principles work for ALL of it. Take this book and the "How to write a damn good novel" together... You're bulletproof, baby! Take on the world!

This was not exactly what I was expecting, but it was good. I was expecting more information on how to build a mystery novel, which is what I was looking for. It is more of a writing techniques manual that apply to almost any novel. It points out many of the errors that are rampant in much of the material published in the last few years. Not to be cliché, but there are a lot of author wannabe's out there that could benefit from reading this book. I see these mistakes made time and again by new authors. I own about 70 books on writing craft. This is a good book on the craft of writing.

I'm a craft guy, scooping up every new tome on fiction tips and techniques that comes along. Eight out of ten times, however, I finish the book and put it back on the shelf never again peeling back the cover. Every year another author publishes a book on writing, when all they really do is re-hash the age-old "show, don't tell" or "write what you know" advice, among other writerly muzak-like instruction. And every year I wonder aloud, "Who among us has new insights?"Don't Murder Your Mystery breaks the stale bread, my friends. Roerden's extensive experience and editor's eye shines through every page, and just so you don't think she's making it up on the fly, she supports her insights with numerous quotations from published fiction. Flashbacks, backstory, the correct use of surprise, body language, character agendas, anchoring a scene, info-dumps--all these and many more are presented with a fresh perspective.The great thing about Don't Murder Your Mystery? It's not solely for the mystery writer. Roerden's advice applies to popular fiction as a whole; there are only a few chapters specifically written for the mystery genre. So whether you write romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, crime--it doesn't matter. Don't Murder Your Mystery, along with Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, is the best writing instruction I've read in a long time. So good, in fact, that I have to read it again to make sure I gleaned everything therein. Do your writing a favor and buy it today.

This book is a terrific primer for first-time or relatively new writers -- and not just writers of mysteries, but all fiction and even non-fiction. The examples of poor choices and better alternatives that Chris Roerden chooses are clear and relevant. My only nit to pick is the negative construction of the book: with some background in teaching, my preference is always to suggest the right thing to do first, rather than to point out what not to do or how not to do something. A valuable addition to the library of anyone who wants to become a better writer, editor, or reviewer.

Don't Murder Your MysteryIs full of great advice and tips about what not to do and gives a good picture of what you should.It isn't a step-by-step how to write. But rather what to avoid and how to look at your work from the perspective of the publisher, agent and the all important screening process that you must get through before it reaches the eyes of someone who can say "yes"!It is well written and easy to read and I am certain that it was money well spent.

Great, hands on guide to help become a better writtter. In an almost scientific way, the book explains what works, and what doesn't. Best writers book I have laid my hands on yet.

Don't Murder Your Mystery is a well written guide filled with relevant information for the mystery writer. This 'Agatha Award' Winning book puts it's finger on all those underlying principals that are essential to a well crafted story. It is brimming with 'Dos','Don'ts and sneaky little titbits that only the professionals know. One of my best 'how-to-write' purchases ever!