What makes a mystery?

If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.

This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.

Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.

The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.

Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.

Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.

This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!

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Recommended Courses:

Students who enrolled in Mystery Writing were also interested in the following courses:

Advanced Fiction Writing

Beginner's Guide to Getting Published

Beginning Writer's Workshop

The Craft of Magazine Writing

Romance Writing Secrets

Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers

Writing for Children

Write Fiction Like a Pro

Syllabus:

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week One

Wednesday - Lesson 01

You're probably wondering if you can really write a novel or screenplay. You may have already started one—maybe even several—and then run out of steam. In this first lesson, you'll begin finding out the secret that guarantees success. It's the secret of knowing where you're going before you start. We'll also take some time today to discuss what makes a mystery great, and to explore a number of real-world examples.

Friday - Lesson 02

Did you know that there's a big difference between story and plot? Amazingly, even many professional authors are confused about this. Today you'll learn that plot is physical while story is emotional. Balancing the two is one of the keys to writing fiction that will satisfy your audience.

Week Two

Wednesday - Lesson 03

This lesson is about the dramatic elements at the heart of every story: passion, theme, character, and premise. Your passion is what drives you to tell your story and the theme is the underlying message it carries. To convey your theme, you create characters that represent it—either positively or negatively. Put these elements together and you've got your premise.

Friday - Lesson 04

Character is what story is all about. Without a character—and a change in him or her—there can be no story. Today, you'll discover why the best characters are flawed. We'll explore you main character—the protagonist—and the opposing force of the antagonist. And then we'll look at tricks and techniques for creating characters that are memorable.

Week Three

Wednesday - Lesson 05

In this lesson, we'll explore the structure underlying almost every great story. That's right: Nearly every successful story has the same structure—a structure that virtually guarantees success! Like Sherlock Holmes, we'll examine each element of it under our writer's magnifying glass. Then we'll test our theories against some well-known mysteries. By the end, we'll have solved the mystery of story structure.

Friday - Lesson 06

This is the first of three lessons in which you'll construct your story outline, act-by-act. In Act 1, you'll hook your readers. Then you'll fill them in with some character history called backstory. Finally, you'll exit Act 1 with a bang by triggering a traumatic event in the life of your protagonist.

Week Four

Wednesday - Lesson 07

Today, we work on Act 2 of your mystery. If Act 1 ended with a bang, Act 2 starts with a whimper. Your protagonist begins in crisis—an emotional state brought on by his or her flaw. And because of that flaw, your protagonist will struggle throughout the act as the antagonist deals setback after setback. Fortunately, at the conclusion of Act 2, your protagonist finally figures out the source of all this emotional distress and overcomes it.

Friday - Lesson 08

The epiphany that ended Act 2 has prepared your protagonist for triumph in Act 3. So it's time to devise a plan. The result will be a final confrontation with the antagonist. This lesson looks at the best way to defeat the antagonist—it's not what you might guess. Then, with that dramatic climax behind you, you'll be ready to tie up all your story's loose threads in the ending.

Week Five

Wednesday - Lesson 09

We've accomplished a lot and you've gotten pretty comfortable with story structure. This is the lesson where we put it all together. We're going to move from story idea, to story outline, to developing scenes. From these little seeds, we're about to grow a forest.

Friday - Lesson 10

In this lesson, we'll unravel the internal structure of every piece of fiction you've ever read. This is different from story structure and it's something I bet you never even knew existed. It's called scene and sequel. After today, you'll never forget it.

Week Six

Wednesday - Lesson 11

One of the most important choices an author makes is viewpoint. It affects every aspect of story—from theme, to pacing, to suspense. Today we'll look at the three most common viewpoints: third person omniscient, third person limited, and first person. We'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each by considering examples from real-word mystery novels.

Friday - Lesson 12

Much of what we've talked about in this course applies to all types of fiction, not just mysteries. So, in learning how to write a great mystery, you've also been learning to be a better writer in all genres. But in this final lesson, we'll examine some elements unique to mystery writing. Then we'll wrap up with ideas about how to follow the roadmap you've created and actually reach your goal of a finished novel or screenplay.

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Steve Alcorn.

Steve Alcorn is the published author of a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works, including the mystery "A Matter of Justice," the historical novel "Everything in Its Path," the romance "Ring of Diamonds" (under the pseudonym Sharon Stevens), and an illustrated journal of his travels around the world called "Travel Kid." When he isn't writing and teaching, Steve serves as the president of Alcorn McBride Inc., a company that engineers equipment for all of your favorite theme park rides.

Requirements:

Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Student Reviews:

"A great course. Steve did a wonderful job helping all us would be mystery writers get our thoughts in order and onto paper (or at least the computer screen). I would take another course taught by Steve and will recommend this course to my friends."

"Another great course from a great instructor!"

"Best fiction writing class I ever took; and I had no clue whatsoever about how mystery writers write their books until I took this course. Now I plan to actually finish writing a mystery novel and try and get it published, using the outline I was able to write in class."

"During the course I wrote a mystery using your guidelines. I finished it last week and sent off a query letter. The publisher has requested the complete manuscript!"

"Every person considering writing any type of fiction should take this course with Steve Alcorn. It contained concise information, writing assignments and quizzes, as well as comprehensive review by the instructor. Mr. Alcorn was "in his classroom" available for instruction and assistance when it was 2:00 a.m. and I was in my pajamas! The class was strikingly beneficial, fun and up-to-the-minute with instructional responses. He has my highest recommendation."

"Excellent course! I could have saved money on a lot of books I bought if I had taken this class first!"

"Excellent course! I gained confidence in writing fiction, and reading fiction, gained info on the underlying structure and hope you all see my book in your bookstore!"

"Excellent course. I have read two books on mystery writing and got much more from this class than either book."

"Excellent information. I haven't run into anything as approachable and direct on structure and organized approach to novel writing."

"Excellent instructor. Course was very helpful. I will certainly take additional courses from this instructor."

"From beginning to end this course seemed to tug me toward honing my skills as a writer--all in a good way. Mr. Alcorn's course is precise, informative and, if you are truly ready and willing to learn the art of mystery writing--or writing great fiction--this is by far the best course to take."

"Great class and great instructor. His comments were always positive and supportive as well as very helpful. The other class members were also very supportive."

"Great class - lots to offer in content and guidance. The assignments were challenging. The teacher's response time was excellent and he engaged us in conversation to be sure we understood his point or explanation."

"Great Course. Instructor is 100% involved and interested in everyone's comprehension of his class. Would strongly recommend to anyone trying to find pace and focus in their writing."

"Great course. It helped me evaluate my first novel and is helping me compose my second novel."

"Great course - will definitely recommend."

"Having taught writing in a high school setting, I found the class informative and entertaining."

"Having this course being taught by a published author was immensely valuable. This was a wonderfully insightful course and I'd recommend it to any aspiring author."

"I am delighted with this course. It offers a structured, clear, and inspired approach to creating a successful mystery. It has helped me reanalyze and rewrite my current novel. Would love to take an advanced topic in this genre. Instructor is superb. Thank you!"

"I enjoyed my instructor Steve Alcorn. I especially liked how he used different mysteries to tie in some important points, for example Perry Mason that he used for Freytag's Analysis. Also the DWC structure opened my eyes. Most importantly I learned how to do an outline to get my novel out quicker. Thanks."

"I got exactly what I wanted out of the course, which was to gain an understanding of the structure and procedures for writing a mystery."

"I have a novel coming out in June 2007 (thanks to Steve's help), and a mystery in the hands of another publisher, a mystery that never would have been written without his help. I wanted to say thank you."

"I just want to say THANK YOU again, thank you for all the work you put into the course, thank you for taking care to reply so fast, thank you for your generous way of sharing your knowledge..."

"I loved this course. I got much more out of it than I thought I would! Comments were helpful!"

"I loved this course. Mr. Alcorn's lessons were thorough and relevant. I also appreciated his quick response to postings in the Discussion section and the fact he was honest and provided excellent feedback."

"I love your course. The information so far has been fantastic. Yours is the first one I've seen proven against multiple famous novels and so I am very pleased with it. The forum where you give real feedback is a wonderful thing, too, and has already helped me out greatly. It also gives me motivation to write because I know my work will go in front of a published author who will give good feedback. It's been my desire to write a mystery novel for years and it looks like I might actually make that happen this time!"

"I really enjoyed taking this course. Steve is excellent. He knows his subject. When I had difficulty grasping a topic, he gave good examples that helped me understand the point he was trying to make. Some of these examples were visual (such as writing a shorter sentence.) I recommend this course to everyone who has an interest in/or aspires to write mysteries. I even recommend this course to anyone who is just curious about a certain style of writing."

"I teach (science, not English) in a small rural school (350 kids K-12). Last week the Seniors were given an assignment to write a mystery short story. Some came to me because they know I have done some writing and asked if I knew anything about writing a mystery. As they say, timing is everything in life, and I said I just might know a little that could help. After I explained some of the basics I have learned in your course, they all began to enthusiastically write their mystery. When they came back for some editing and suggestions, we really had fun. They had great ideas, and with a little encouragement ended up with stories they really felt good about. This alone has made the course worth it for me. I was hesitant to take an Internet course being from the old school (BC - Before Computers). I am glad I took the chance. I have learned more than I thought I could in a six-week course, and more than I have in much longer courses. I want to thank you for an outstanding experience and for all your help in this course. I want to take what I have learned and run with it on a young adult mystery which I have thought about for years. I think that now I can give it an honest shot. Once again, thanks for being willing to offer this course and take the time and effort to make it very worthwhile."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel that I can now begin working on my novels using the processes I have learned."

"I thought the course was great and it really showed me what I need to do to be a better writer. A big plus was learning about outlining. Steve showed me that it is much simpler than I thought it would be, which is a big help. Thank you for a great learning opportunity."

"I took Steve Alcorn's mystery writing class once before and it just keeps getting better. Steve will show you how to be a better writer -- even when you have doubts. Thanks again Steve for the journey! It's been fun."

"I took this course to keep my playwriting 'chops' in shape and I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I would. The instructor had a nice personal style and an online course really suited my schedule. I probably won't be writing a mystery novel any time soon, however I was able to transfer some of the writing skills to a major rewrite on one of my plays which is now set for production in 2007 so it was a win-win!"

"It was an excellent course. I'm already signed up for Mr. Alcorn's next class and I've recommended it to a few folks who may take it over the next few months."

"I was hesitant to take an internet course, as this is my first time. I was very pleasantly surprised. It far exceeded my expectations and I learned more than I thought possible in a 12 week course. Steve is an excellent, caring instructor and his advice is right on the mark. The pace of the course made me write every night which is a habit a I plan to continue. The course has helped me better understand the art of writing and given me a new start in my writing career."

"Just felt compelled to write and tell you that I think it's cool I'm taking a class from a guy whose book intrigued me!"

"Loved the class and the teacher. Steve is wonderful. I signed up for his next class, too!"

"Loved the class! Will be referring to the lessons many times while working on my story."

"Mr. Alcorn is a GREAT instructor! He is down to earth, very easy to talk to. I plan to take his Write Like a Pro course next. Great Teacher!"

"Mr. Alcorn is an excellent instructor. I have taken lots of courses on-line and he was the best at answering discussion area entries in a timely manner. He critiqued writings honestly while offering genuine encouragement. The course was well written. It contained a lot of material without ever becoming pedantic. He said he was working on Mystery Writing II and I look forward to taking another course from him in the near future."

"Mr. Alcorn was just the best. The course was excellent. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in mystery writing. I can't praise it enough."

"Mr. Steve is a great teacher and gave very useful and intellectual comments as well as helpful and constructive advice. I was extremely pleased with this course and felt I learned more about this topic then I thought I would. I would definitely recommend this course and this teacher to anyone. Thanks for offering it!"

"My story was just in the beginning stages when I began this course, but I can now proudly boast that I have a solid foundation. It's just a matter of building up from there! I'm much farther along than I've ever managed before with any other story. Now that I know the formula, it's far easier than I'd thought. You've liberated my muse!! She's breathing on her own now--no longer stifled by my complete unorganized approach to writing. Thank you so much!!"

"Once again, I am incredibly pleased with Steve's skill stretching class. He is honest, constructive, and pushes his students to achieve their best. Which is truely appreciated by anyone really wanting to improve on their writing skills. I have taken other classes that were much easier than Steve's, yet I learned one tenth of what I learned from him. He is really incredible. The only problem I have, is that there are no more writing classes left to take by him. He needs to get busy writing more. I'll be waiting."

"Our instructor was supportive and encouraging. I was not afraid of making mistakes or asking questions, because he was always so kind in his replies. His suggestions were on target and improved my work as well. Loved this course!"

"Outstanding course! This has given me some practical and valuable tools to assist me in my writing. In now feel encouraged to actually write a mystery that has been on my mind for years. Thanks again for the tools and advice."

"Previously, I considered my writing a hobby. I started, procrastinated and abandoned project after project. You have given me the courage and tools needed to give my writing direction. I am in the process of editing the first draft of my mystery. Actually, I enjoy changing my scenes to fit the guidelines, increasing the emotional developments of my characters, and add clues and misdirection. You made a difference in my life as a writer. Thank you."

"Run; do not walk, to sign on for Steve's classes. This is the best writing class I ever took, exceeding a college curriculum."

"Simply put, an outstanding course. I feel that I learned what I needed to know to write a successful (Mystery) Novel."

"Steve Alcorn is an amazing teacher. I took his Advanced Fiction Writing and Mystery Writing courses, in that order, and I learned more in his courses than I did as a creative writing major at an outstanding university. This is by far the best way to learn, and you're learning from a real pro. Thank you Steve - I am working on my mystery and hope to get a book proposal out there within a few months. You've been a tremendous help and have always encouraged me to do my best. I'll miss taking your courses. They're like an old friend and I hate to say goodbye."

"Steve Alcorn is an EXCELLENT instructor. His stories and examples bring the instructional materials into the real world. His guidance as a Coach was invaluable in helping us grow from our own experiences. This is the first online course I have taken and I found the content to be much more comprehensive than I expected - thank you. I will highly recommend this course and Steve Alcorn to my peers! A wonderful learning experience!"

"Steve Alcorn is a patient and encouraging teacher who is able to sift through mountains of words to find the nuggets that will make a good story."

"Steve is precise and helpful with his comments. For those of us who need to step back and evaluate the larger picture, his method provides a revealing and insightful approach."

"Steve's class will help you put a beginning, middle, and end to all the stories bouncing around in your head. The class shows you how to put order to the chaos of creation!"

"Taking Steve's course is giving me the tools I need to give my writing direction and focus, and his feedback is bang-on-useful!"

"Thanks Steve, you're the best! You're a great role model for all of us who dream of being a writer whose readers just can't wait for us to write another best seller! I enjoyed your sense of humor, guidance and best of all your knowledge of the craft, which is without peer. Thanks again for all your encouragement -- it made a big difference."

"Thank you, Mr. Alcorn, for your helpful input and encouragement. I really enjoyed this class. It helped me understand more about good writing techniques. It was fun as well. I believe it will make me a better writer."

"Thank you, Mr. Alcorn. Not just for coming up with a great class and sharing your wealth of knowledge with us, but for me what was very special were the prompt and in some cases, immediate replies to our posts. That in itself made the whole class for me."

"Thank you so much for the excellent course you provided. I have wanted to write a mystery for years and you got me started. The structure you provided leaves me with the tools to make a finished product. I appreciated your input, too. Excellent class and instructor!"

"The course gave me exactly what I was looking for--a coherent structure on which to build my novels. This is a great shortcut to writing."

"This class helped me more than all the books I've read combined."

"This course is really a ticket to writing your own book, no matter the genre. Thanks so much Steve for walking us through step by step. You gave us the structure we supply the imagination."

"This course made me think and work. I appreciated the instructor's comments and suggestions. He is an exceptional instructor."

"This course was excellent and extremely comprehensive. I highly recommend it!"

"This course was fantastic! Highly recommended for anyone even interested in mystery writing or other story writing. Very helpful!"

"This course was very good and very helpful. I found the checkpoints, structuring, and scene & sequel lessons especially useful."

"This course was well worth the investment in money and effort. It addressed a flaw I've always had -- the inability to complete the book I've always known is in me. Now I've had my epiphany, and I have my plan. I know I can write my book. I know I will do it."

"This has been a terrific course by a teriffic instructor. Kudos."

"This has been a wonderful experience for me. I appreciate your organizational skills and the thoroughness of the lessons. I've appreciated your suggestions regarding other books and sources for inspiration as well. It has certainly changed the way I read books and watch TV and movies now -- especially mysteries. Thank you for your honest and helpful responses to the material I posted throughout the course. I marvel at your patience at being able to do this. So, one more thank you for a wonderful experience and I look forward to working on my mystery. It's a real challenge, but that's exactly what I'm looking for."

"This has been the most beneficial writing course I've ever taken. The lessons were eye-opening and fun, and Steve made it easy to apply what we are learning to what we are writing. The comments on our assignments were clear and meaningful; I felt as if someone was there all the time to help me."

"This has been the most practical course I have ever taken. I've already recommended it to two people."

"This is an excellent course that has highly increased my desire to write a mystery. I really liked the use of the inspirational pictures in each lesson. That was a nice touch. Do expect to find me enrolled in more of your classes, especially those from Steve."

"This is a very practical and very useful course, written by someone who knows and loves the subject. I am very pleased and impressed! Someday I would like to meet and talk with Mr. Alcorn. I plan to restudy the material intensively. A very valuable and enjoyable experience!"

"This is the best writing course I have taken. Steve is a great teacher. He always answered very quickly and with great insight. I am very impressed and recommend this course to anybody who wants to improve their writing skills. An excellent learning opportunity. Run, don't walk to sign up for his course."

"This is the best writing course that I have ever taken. And, I am 65 and have taken a lot of courses through the years. I would highly recommend this course to any person interested in writing."

"This is the most helpful writing course I've ever taken--and I've taken a lot of them!"

"This is THE most information I have ever received to help me to figure out how to write or finish what I have started. Many, many thanks to you for your help and inspiration."

"This is the second course I have taken with this instructor and I would take others as well. It is great to be taught by someone who has the success and experience, yet can still relate to us beginners and cares that we are successful too. Wonderful!!"

"This was a fun course. Steve is a very attentive, insightful, and knowledgeable teacher. The principles of story and scene structure are pivotal to making one's dreams of writing a novel become a reality. It gives a writer a trail of crumbs to follow through the forest of words and pages."

"This was a great course. I was sad when it was over."

"This was a great experience for me. I need structure and this course provided it. It has given me confidence that I can complete a dream I've had for many years."

"This was my favorite class so far. I want to take all the classes taught by this instructor."

"This was my second class with this instructor. As in the first, he provided guidance throughout the lessons, responding to assignments posted in the Discussion Area promptly and clearly. He led the class, creating a positive, friendly environment in which to write and share."

"This was the best class so far. The instructor was very helpful and encouraging. I would definitely recommend this class and this instructor."

"This writing course is the best I have ever taken. I really learned an enormous amount and will be able to put it all to use. The organization of the content was just right. I have printed out these valuable lessons and the resource material provided and someday you will see my pseudonym on the book jacket of a mystery novel. Watch for it. Thanks so much to a fabulous instructor!"

"Very necessary course for anyone seriously thinking of writing a mystery. Very helpful!"

"WOW!! This was a great course!! What helped it along was that Steve knows his stuff! I have learned a lot from this course and hope to complete my first mystery novel. Keep up the great work!"

"You know what I liked about your course? My entire home library of books on writing TOLD ME WHAT I needed to do in order to write a book. You SHOWED ME HOW to do it. Thanks a million."

"You may be interested to learn that during the course, I developed a novel. Shortly after completing the course, I finished work on the book and submitted it. It has been accepted by a publisher!! Very helpful course."

"Your course has been a very good experience and very helpful. During the course period, I have completed a mystery novel! I have recommended your course to several people. Many thanks for your help."