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EXCLUSIVE
If you have a work-in-progress
you might prefer to send me a few chapters at a time. That way you can
consider my suggestions as you write the following chapters.
We can work together as the story grows, and you can pick your
own pace and pay as you go. Click here to find out more on this program.
Or click here for editing fees info and details.
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Broad Scope:
Suspense fiction reaches readers through the fears and expectations we all have about our society. Touch on universal themes in the broad arena of humanity to give your book a sense of importance and give readers a need to keep turning pages.
Personal Scope:
At the same time, show the very personal impact the crime or intrigue or mystery directly has on the main character.
Twists:
Carefully build your plot so that surprise plot twists can entertain readers along the way.
Clues:
Your plot twists and final resolution need to be based on facts you have already supplied but they must be facts that fit together unexpectedly. You want that "Ah! I should have realized that might happen!" kind of reaction from your readers.
More on How to Write Suspense: 
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1. Read, read, read!
Determine your specific subgenre of crime fiction (be it suspense novel, medical thriller, international intrigue, cozy mystery, police procedural, etc.). Then read the following, at a minimum, regarding your field of crime fiction.
Read books of the precise subgenre you want to write.
Writing Crime Fiction (The Writer's Library)
by H.R. F. Keating. A concise and to-the-point book about every form of mystery and related genres--highly recommended.
Police Procedural: A Writer's Guide to the Police and How They Work (Howdunit) by Russell Bintliff. If your suspense novel or mystery book involves police and their inner workings, this gives you background you'll need to know.
The Fine Art of Murder: The Mystery Reader's Indispensable Companion
edited by Ed Gorman. An explanation of numerous forms of the mystery book, with lists of books in each form to give you a solid foundation in that specific subgenre.
2. Revise, revise, revise.
More than any other form of fiction, crime novels benefit the most from strong planning, outlining, and making detailed notes before you even start chapter one. Make a plan. Follow that plan. Deviate only if better avenues open up to your characters. Then revise mercilessly to be certain all your plants and hints and clues and characters fit the plot exactly.
3. Get professional editing.
Yes, this is a plug for my services, but it is true: Professional editing services can help you grow as a writer in ways that studying books could never do. I take your own plot, characters, and ideas and review them with an eye to marketability. Then I address your own strengths and help you bolster your weaker spots to create the strong story that you want. Interested? Click here to see more about my services.
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Suspense Stories and Mysteries Written by My Clients:
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Congratulations to Beth Pratt of Toronto, Canada, for
signing on with Bookenders literary agents for her mystery series. The series is a "backgrounder" genre of mystery fiction, in which the world of fine art is the basis for setting, plot, and motives. Beth's extensive knowledge of her subjects--both art and mysteries--as well as an easy reading style is what prompted offers from four literary agencies before she decided on her agent. Next step--publication!
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Coby Derek James of New York has two
suspense novels being published back-to-back!
Wine,Dine and Death Down Under
has just been released by Llumina Press. It is the first in a series of
multicultural spy thrillers featuring hero Chet Lake.
His second book, suspense story
Mugged in Marseilles
, was picked up by Action Tales.
He wrote, "I got a publisher for the Australia book and I acknowledge
you for your help in the acknowledgements. Your edits were excellent and I
incorporated all of them in the revisions."
Check out more about his books by clicking here.
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Chuck Grall of Sequim,
Washington, enjoyed seeing his mini-mystery short story published in
Woman's World. Chuck says, "They only changed two words and gave it
a different title. I am very excited, and even more excited about writing
more stuff. I can only think about how many great writers have never sent
anything in. Nothing in, nothing back. This is the spark I needed, the
proof that it does work. Thank you very much for your
help."
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Jump right to my editing services
for help on how to write suspense and mystery books!
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and
both offer readers an exciting ride into international medical thrillers. 
