Writers Helping Writers^®

Mystery

Colonel Mustard in the Ballroom: How Setting Shapes Mystery

August 19, 2025

Colonel Mustard in the Ballroom: How Setting Shapes Mystery

August 19, 2025

Setting is a story element that must do double duty in any genre: it’s your backdrop, so it shouldn’t take over and become the story, but it should be chosen…

Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?

March 15, 2022

Is My Story A Mystery, Horror or Thriller?

March 15, 2022

By Lucy V Hay Lots of writers enjoy mystery, horror and thriller novels … but are not too sure what differentiates them. As a result, when they attempt their own,…

Mystery Writing: Making the Reader a Participator

February 14, 2017

Mystery Writing: Making the Reader a Participator

February 14, 2017

A lot of great stories have a mystery in them. The mystery may not be the primary focus; it might be the secondary, or the mystery might be so minor…

Mystery Writing: Characters & Plot Elements

November 20, 2013

Mystery Writing: Characters & Plot Elements

November 20, 2013

Staci Troilo is here with the basics of what plot and character elements a successful mystery novel needs. Ah, the mystery novel. The whodunit. The sleuth story. Sherlock and Miss…

Writing a Whodunit Mystery

August 29, 2013

Writing a Whodunit Mystery

August 29, 2013

Michael Dickson got the scoop on how to write a whodunit mystery! Whodunit Mystery Clues: How Do You Create Them? Do you enjoy puzzles? When you start one, do you…