Syllabus

How does “write what you know” apply to crime fiction? We’ll explore ways to research writing crime and mystery fiction without actually committing crimes. We’ll discuss how to find non-fiction sources that can influence your fiction and make it believable. Along the way, we’ll talk about ways to create characters that live and breathe, while avoiding clichés. This class will focus on crime and mystery fiction, but can also have applications to mainstream, romantic suspense, fantasy, science fiction and other genres.

J.E. Seymour lives in a small town in seacoast NH and has had short stories published in three anthologies of crime fiction by New England writers - “Windchill,” “Deadfall,” and “Quarry,” in Thriller UK Magazine, and in numerous ezines, including Shots, Mouth Full of Bullets, Beat to a Pulp and Shred of Evidence. J.E. has a degree in English, writing option, from Plymouth State College. In 2002, she was selected to attend the Bread Loaf Writers Conference. She has finished three novels and is working on a fourth. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and is the markets coordinator for the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Her debut novel, “Lead Poisoning” is slated for release in December of 2010 from Mainly Murder Press.

http://jeseymour.com


Syllabus:

Introductions

Defining genre fiction, discussion of examples, share if desired

Notable characters

How to make your characters live and breathe

How to research, reliable sources, where to look for ideas

Bring a short piece (no more than 1,000 words) to share with the group for a critique if desired

Wrap up


Each member of the class should bring a portion of a published short story or novel to share. Pick one of your favorites and be prepared to talk about why you like it in addition to reading a small piece of it for the class.

Suggested reading:
Lamb to the Slaughter – Roald Dahl http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lamb.html
The Ax – Donald Westlake
Get Shorty – Elmore Leonard