Taught the last of six sessions in my how to write a mystery novel class at Camosun College in Victoria. A terrific six-pack of writers, all with very strong story ideas, characters and best of all, desire to write.
Based on the tips, tidbits and techniques from my mystery writing primer, Youdunit Whodunit!, we discussed dialogue in depth. Then we went over their logline attempts, with the goal of trying to jam into the germ of a kernel of a seed the essence of their story.
A logline’s essential for query letters or for elevator pitches at conferences (should one be so lucky to trap an interested editor/agent).
Cover for mystery writing primer, Youdunit Whodunit!
Offered them this simple sentence template, often used in screenplays, to help craft the logline:
This is a story about ______________ who desperately wants or needs ______________ and who will do pretty well anything and to anyone _________ (battle, investigate, risk, challenge, chase, destroy, discover, etc.,) to get it.
Not perfect but if you fill in the blanks, it’s a great help.
Here’s an example for my inspirational horror thriller, Unnatural States:
What astounding secret, resurrected from a controversial relic, is being shrouded by the stigmatic, pop-evangelist John the Apostle? Three strangers are desperate to know. Their combined inquiries trigger revelation, ruin and murder in this supernatural page-turner.
Check here for a primer on writing a query letter and good luck!
Tags: crime fiction, detective fiction, genre fiction, logline, mystery, mystery novel, mystery writing, writing how to