Plotting the Mystery: Writing Crime Fiction

Week one, Wednesday 13 January: The Building Blocks of Crime Fiction

In this opening session, we will examine the basic structure of a mystery narrative and look at the building blocks of writing a crime novel. We will examine the What? Who? Why? Where? When? and How? questions that underline all good crime fiction, also exploring broader elements such as the importance of overarching themes. By the end of the session, you will possess an easy-to-follow template for planning out your own mystery novel.

Week two, Wednesday 20 January: Heroes and Villains

Ever since Sherlock Holmes burst onto the scene, it has been a given that the protagonist of a mystery novel is hugely influential in readers’ perception and enjoyment of such books. From Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot to modern detectives such as Ian Rankin’s Inspector John Rebus and Alexander McCall Smith’s Precious Ramotswe, the range of crime fiction protagonists – and their antagonists – form the bedrock of good storytelling in the genre. In this session, we will examine what makes such characters work as extraordinary mystery protagonists (and antagonists), drawing out key lessons for our own sleuths.

Week three, Wednesday 27 January: Using Location and Setting

Setting is often referred to as the extra character in crime fiction. With crime stories now situated in all corners of the globe, setting and location have never been more important, to authors, to publishers and to readers. In this session, we will examine how to use to the five senses to bring settings to life. With the help of a rich variety of examples, you will gain an understanding of how to paint your own setting in vivid colours.

Week four, Wednesday 3 February: Pace and Plot

Crime and mystery novels rely inherently on solid plotting, which goes hand in hand with an understanding of how to pace a good mystery. In this session we will examine the various elements of plot and pace including techniques such as foreshadowing, the placement of red herrings and cliff-hangers, and the need for multiple layers of mystery. Using examples, we will learn how to successfully use these structural elements.

Week five, Wednesday 10 February: Investigation and Forensic Analysis

In any crime novel, the investigation forms the backbone to the plot. Different types of crime fiction require differing approaches: a private investigator will have freedom to pursue actions that a police detective would consider beyond their remit. In a psychological thriller, the unravelling of twists and turns by the protagonist is paramount. In this session, we will examine the various ways an investigation can unfold, including the use of forensic analysis techniques.

Week six, Wednesday 17 February: Writing Beyond Your Boundaries

In recent years, issues of authenticity have come to the fore in the publishing industry. Authors have found themselves questioned when using ethnically diverse characters in their work due to the possibility of perceived transgressions. In this session, we will examine the debate and look at techniques for writing beyond our own cultural identity that minimise any possible objections. Using examples, we will show how this has been done effectively – and where it has caused issues. By the end of the session, you will feel confident in writing characters that reflect the broadness of the society in which we live.

No preparation is required for this course. It is suitable for all levels. All course materials will be accessible on the course Padlet. Links to the sessions and the Padlet will be emailed to you.

Live captions are provided by Microsoft Teams. If you have any further accessibility requirements, please email adultlearning@bl.uk

We email the joining link to the participants 24 hours before the first session from adultlearning@bl.uk.

There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for Members, Young Persons (16–25s) and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit. Press Book Now to see the full range of concessions for this event.

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