In this course we will look at what makes a satisfying mystery novel, and the relationship successful mysteries build with their audience. While we often consider mysteries to be a mastery of puzzle and plot, we will examine the propulsive power of character-driven action vs. situational plot. We’ll explore the processes of major mystery writers including classic, golden age, noir, and modern literary authors. Throughout the week, we will write a series of exercises to build our own versions of key elements of the mystery genre, and workshop new writing.  

This course is also a deep dive into the novelist’s dilemma of how much to know before you begin writing. How do we kindle our creativity, know where we are going and avoid frustration, especially in knowing what happens next? The mystery genre is an excellent container to explore the conditions of the writing process and find our own balance of structure and play, while examining suspense vs. tension and the possibilities of upending both our and the audience’s expectations.  

Participants can expect to leave this course with an expansive understanding of the mystery genre, nourishing tools to support their writing process, and a personal plan of how to develop and draft their own mystery novel. 

In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; offer feedback/first impressions on writing you produce in our week.