Zara AltairSilent Witness: The Victim’s Influence on Mystery Plot and Character DynamicsEvery new mystery has a new victim. That victim is the fulcrum for setting up the mystery puzzle for your detective to solve. Your victim’s…Jun 201Jun 201
Zara AltairThe Psychology of a Mystery Villain: the Mind and Motivations of a Memorable AntagonistPhoto by freestocks on UnsplashJun 131Jun 131
Zara AltairFrom Writer to Author: Are You Ready for the Leap? Part 2Welcome back to Part 2 of the comprehensive guide designed to transform aspiring writers into successful authors. In the first installment…Jun 5Jun 5
Zara AltairFrom Writer to Author: Are You Ready for the Leap? Part 1As you go from writer to author, it’s vital to recognize that you’re not just crafting stories-you’re launching a business. This shift…May 22May 22
Zara AltairFrom Doubt to Manuscript: Master Imposter Syndrome as a Mystery WriterFor mystery writers, who carefully craft every plot twist and character revelation, a hidden struggle often haunts them-imposter syndrome…May 15May 15
Zara AltairThe Puzzle Plan: Steps to Expand Your Mystery Story IdeaMystery writing often begins with a flash of inspiration-a vivid image, an intriguing character, a haunting setting, or the shadowy details…May 8May 8
Zara Altair5 Ways LLMs Help Writers Without Actually Writing the StoryThe tools available to writers are growing as rapidly as the technology that supports them. Among these tools, Large Language Models (LLMs)…May 1May 1
Zara AltairThe Reader-Centric Approach to Editing Your NovelEditing your novel isn’t about being good, or a grammar whiz, or even correct. Your best editing mindset is to edit for your reader.Apr 25Apr 25
Zara AltairWrite, Intrigue, Repeat: 5 Ways a Mystery Writing Coach Transforms Your CraftHave you ever found yourself tangled in your own mystery plot? Or perhaps, felt that despite your best efforts, your characters seem a…Apr 18Apr 18
Zara AltairMystery Writing: A Guide to the Four-Act StructureCrafting a mystery novel, you might navigate through a maze of plot twists, character secrets, and red herrings. Creating a story that…Apr 10Apr 10