First off, these writing tips are not just for mystery writers. Gail Bowen is the author of the Joanne Kilbourn mysteries. She’s written 16 of them so far and if you’re a fan of Joanne Kilbourne you’ll learn a lot about her in this book. Secondly, the tips aren’t just for writers of series although quite a long section in a chapter titled Creating a Robust Series is devoted to that.
- When writing take breaks. Well, this is hardly new advice but the author suggests writing for twenty-five minutes and then take five-minute breaks. I’ve tried it and set my timer for twenty-five minutes which works marvelously well and am always surprised at how quickly the time goes by and how I get into my writing although my five-minute breaks tend to be much longer.
- Write early in the morning. She gets up at five am to write claiming that two hours of writing in the mourning is worth four hours of writing later in the day. I’m with her on that although not that early!
- Select brief but telling details about weather and its effect on character in order to create a mood to draw the reader into the story.
- Make your characters deeply flawed so that your reader will be able to identify and connect with them.
- Use minor characters to lighten the mood while still keeping the plot moving.
- Give your first draft a rigorous edit before sending it off. Rigorous being the operative word.
- Try to give your book a title as early in the process as possible. This will guide you in keeping to the theme of your novel.
- Almost every piece of writing can be improved if you cut it by a third (ouch!)
- Your first obligation as a writer is to offer a powerful human story.
- If you can’t imagine your life without writing, then you’re a real writer. Stay the course.
Carol Balawyder 
Great tips, Carol! I leave for the day job at 5:30 a.m., so early morning writing isn’t possible. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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I admire you, Jill, for having a day job and still finding time and energy to write!
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What fantastic tips – thanks so much, Carol and Joanne. Toni x
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Joanne is actually Gail Bowen’s character. Thanks, Toni for stopping by. I always appreciate you being here. ❤
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I’m a fan of Gail Bowen and Joanne Kilbourn Shreve – nice to see her boo featured here! And if anyone knows how to go about creating an engaging mystery, it’s Gail Bowen!
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I’m sure she’ll be happy to know this.
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Good tips, Carol. I like the early morning idea. It’s so quiet and the routine demands of the day haven’t begun yet at that time.
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Right and we still haven’t run out of energy. 🙂
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Yes, the whole world is still fresh and we feel energized.
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“Use minor characters to lighten the mood while still keeping the plot moving.”
That! That is a good one. I use minor characters as pure plot devices with a minimal set of attributes and only the most necessary things to say. God, no funny bizniz! Not on my watch. Maybe I should fatten them up a little?
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Really good tips. The one about the weather–to create a mood to draw the reader into the story–excellent advice. I’ve heard the same about clothing. Don’t describe the clothing. Show how it affects the characters, plot..
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Interesting comments, Jacqui. Thanks! 🙂
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I agree with them all. I write best early in the morning – later in the day is for blogging and commenting (thus, it’s 5 p.m. now). 🙂 Here’s to weathering our writing…
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I like blogging late in the afternoon or evening. I too like writing early in the morning. Well, after I’ve had breakfast, gotten dressed, take the dog for a walk, do a yoga class. So by then it’s about 9. 🙂
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Excellent tips and post Carol. When I’m actually writing a book, it’s first thing in the morning before anything or forget it. ❤
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Great advice, Debby. It’s too easy to put our writing aside. ❤
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True dat! ❤
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Thank you for sharing the information!.. for me life is a mystery so I write about life letting my fingers do the walking and the heart do the talking!… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your troubles be less
Your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door
(Irish Saying)
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Number 8 is an “ouch,” but so true! Great list, Carol.
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Thank you for these nice tips.
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You’re welcome and I hope they were helpful.
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Thanks for sharing these tips, Carol! I might have to try writing first thing in the morning since I am so easily distracted by things that come up later in the day.
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I find that the write for 25 minutes is very motivating. I try (big word) to do 4 of these 25 minute writing sessions throughout the day. Still trying! I know what you mean about distractions. 🙂
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My efforts to be an early morning writer are failing (no surprise ;-)). I think I’ll try instead the 25-minute writing blocks. Seriously, how hard can it be to carve out 25 minutes to write … lol 🙂
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Great advice and I find the five-minute breaks tend to stretch a bit! If not early morning but morning writing works best for me too … although I’ve been known to have writing bursts later in the evening around ten pm – in between a definite dip! Yes to ‘Stay the course!’
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“If you can’t imagine your life without writing, then you’re a real writer. Stay the course.”—Sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for sharing this useful idea. I loved this point: Early in the morning is the best time to write. She wakes up at 5 a.m. to write, stating that two hours of grieving writing is equivalent to four hours of writing later in the day. I agree with her, albeit not quite that early!
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