Just discovered a terrific new review on Amazon.com for Youdunit Whodunit!, my little how-to write a mystery primer.
Lou Allin, a fellow Canadian crime writer said the following:
The Little How-To Book That Could:
Of the dozen “how to” books on mystery writing I’ve read, most wasted too many trees, and on Vancouver Island, that’s important. One big-name author provided only a single worthwhile nugget of advice in four hundred pages: don’t write about boring people. But Canadians are very innovative, especially about saving time. Didn’t we invent Velcro? Pablum? The Bloody Caesar?
Recently my colleague Nicola Furlong produced a short, compact, and helpful e-book called Youdunit Whodunit. This crash course in mystery writing is as jam packed with gems as Nicola’s signature chocolate-pecan turtles.Cover for mystery writing primer, Youdunit Whodunit!
For those starting out, or for authors who want to keep their writing on track, YW has twenty-two chapters in three basic innings: Structure, Character, and Story. With a wealth of pithy examples taken from selective authors, she cuts to the chase.
Hit the reader early and hit him hard. Why is the protagonist involved, if it’s not a police procedural? What do you do in mid-story, where a book often bogs? What are the pitfalls of various POV’s? Where do you get your ideas? How should you handle flashbacks and make smooth transitions without the speed bumps which mar even the best books?
Nicola will have you off and running in minutes. She’s an editor, agent, and coach all in one.
It comes as no surprise that the book is introduced and endorsed by two of our northern mystery lionesses, Maureen Jennings and Mary Jane Maffini. With multiple series and decades of best-seller success, when they speak, wise authors listen.
Obviously, I’m thrilled with Lou’s positive reaction to my ebook BUT what I find really neat is her review writing style.
Notice how adroitly she draws you in to the concept of a short ebook (crash course on writing mysteries) by referring both to the environment (wasted trees) and to her perspective (a Vancouver Islander) and then she adds a fun tidbit of Canadian trivia (Velcro, Pablum and the Bloody Ceasar!).
Not only is it an excellent lead in to her review, it doubles as an lovely introduction to Lou Allin, mystery author.
So, once you’ve bought and mastered Youdunit Whodunit!, why not check out Lou’s terrific Belle Palmer Mystery Series and see how a pro does it?
Tags: amazon, ebook, Electronic / Digital Publishing, kindle, mystery, non-fiction, writing how to