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Workshop Descriptions & Instructors
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Mystery Characters Clues to Effective Mysteries Beginning the Mystery Novel Mystery Characters Character is at the heart of all great fiction—including the intricately plotted mystery novel. This course will examine the three types of characters essential to the genre: the protagonist, the victim, and the villain. We’ll discuss the trios of accomplished crime writers, and I’ll lead you through a series of exercises that will help you develop or deepen your own trio. As you create characters for your mystery, you’ll also create “mystery” in your characters—secrets and paradoxical desires that fuel all types of fiction. This course will focus on generating new material. Clues to Effective Mysteries All writers must create vivid, significant details, but mystery writers must also devote a great deal of attention to their placement. When mystery writers plant clues, they employ a range of strategies designed to guide—and, yes, manipulate—the reader’s attention and response. Our examination of these strategies will serve two purposes. We’ll observe and practice several ways of creating emphasis, and we’ll strengthen our understanding and use of narrative fundamentals such as conflict, dialogue, and setting. This course, which will focus on generating new material, is for mystery writers and other narrative writers who enjoy crime fiction and want to use it to improve their craft. Beginning the Mystery Novel Where do you start? A journey may begin with a single step, but a novel begins with many journeys, many steps. This course will enable you to take the steps that are right for you. You’ll complete several writing exercises and experiment with different ways of beginning a mystery novel. You’ll create compelling characters: the protagonist, the victim, the killer, the suspects, and the supporting cast. You’ll explore their emotional and physical worlds. You’ll develop a plot outline with twists and turns, clues and red herrings, danger and drama. By the end of the week, you’ll have ample material, inspiration, and confidence to continue your journey. Biography
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by Instructor Sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education Last updated on February 19, 2009 |
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