If you test positive for Covid – Don’t come to class until you test negative. But let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.
If you show Covid symptoms OR If you have been exposed to someone with Covid – Don’t come to class for at least 5 days after showing symptoms or exposure, and then take a test to confirm that you are negative. Let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.
If you have any questions about this, you may call (212-974-8377) or email us ([email protected]).
Mystery Writing I
GUIDE TO FICTION COURSES
Fiction Pathways
Foundation
If you’re not sure what kind of fiction to write...
If you know what kind of fiction to write...
Fiction Writing I
Zoetrope Fiction Writing I
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing I
Mystery Writing I
Romance Writing I
Children’s Book Writing I
Or...
If you want a rather short course...
Fiction Writing Intensive
Flash Fiction & Nonfiction
Children’s Book Writing Intensive
Middle Grade/Young Adult Intensive
Humor Writing Intensive
Comics & Graphic Novels
Next Steps
After completing a Level I ten-week course...
Short Fiction II
Zoetrope Short Fiction II
Novel II First Draft Part 1
Novel II Critique
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing II
Mystery Writing II
Romance Writing II
Children’s Book Writing II
After completing Novel First Draft II Part 1...
After completing Short Fiction II...
Also Helpful
These essential courses are great for writers of any level.
Character
Dialogue
Plot 1: Mechanics
Plot 2: Machinations
Reading Fiction
In(verse): Poetic Techniques for Non-Poets
The Writer’s Mind
The Editor’s Eye
Grammar 1: The Basics
Grammar 2: Expertise and Finesse
Social Media
For Teens
Mystery Writing I is a 10-week workshop, which includes lectures, exercises, and the critiquing of student projects. It’s for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.
Nothing quickens the pulse like a good mystery, which is why millions of readers surrender themselves to the page-turning exploits of their favorite sleuths. Mystery is an expansive genre, welcoming amateur detectives, intellectual puzzle-solvers, policemen, private eyes, lawyers, spies, even average folk caught in a web of suspense. If crime is a central element, consider it a mystery.
To write riveting mysteries, you must merge the skills of a fiction writer with the clever tricks of the mystery trade. Here you will learn about the various types of mysteries and their special requirements, as well as fiction craft and how to market your work.
Whether you seek to write short stories or novels, classic puzzlers or crime fiction, we’ll show you how to capture readers.
An excellent place to start for anyone who wants to write mysteries.
Anne Blake
illustrator
Notes
If you’re working in the mystery genre, you may take Fiction I or (at the advanced level) Novel II First Draft or Novel II Critique, or one of our genre courses: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance, Mystery.
If you’re working on a YA novel, you may take a Fiction/Novel course, or a “genre” course, or you may take a Children’s Book course, where the full spectrum of children’s books will be covered.
Upcoming Classes
NYC COVID Info
10-Week
-
Online
Anytime, week-long sessions
Tuition: $439 (returning students: $409)
-
One-on-One
Tuition: $1,895
Syllabus
This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of the mystery genre, and gets you writing a short story (or two) or a novel. Course components:
Lectures
Writing exercises
Workshopping of student projects (each student presenting work two times)
New York City/Zoom classes
The syllabus varies from teacher to teacher, term to term. Many topics will be similar to those covered in the Online classes.
Online classes
Week 1
Introduction to Mystery Writing: Origin of mystery stories. Exploration of classic mystery fiction. Exploration of crime fiction. Exploration of true crime stories. Short stories, novels, and series.
Week 2
Plot: The protagonist—desire and stakes. Antagonist. Twists and turns.
Week 3
Character: How much to reveal. Character actions. The “Watson character." Heels and villains. Dames and bad girls.
Week 4
Point of View/Voice: First person. Second person. Third person—various types. Finding a voice.
Week 5
Dialogue: Compression. Subtext. Dialogue tips. Handling exposition.
Week 6
Description/Setting: Painting with words. Sensory detail. Establishing time and place. Conveying mood.
Week 7
Plot II: The main event. Backstory. Raising the stakes. Planting clues. Conventions and clichés. Plot holes. Climax.
Week 8
Revision/Authenticity: Techniques for revision. Keeping it authentic.
Week 9
Moral Universe: Stories are set in a moral universe. Understanding and utilizing theme. A moral center. Shades of gray.
Week 10
The Business: The truth about publishing. The submission process. Selling your work.
Note: Content may vary among individual classes.
Teachers
Carole Buggé
Carole Buggé (also writing as Carole Lawrence, C.E. Lawrence, and Elizabeth Blake) is the author of the Ian Hamilton mystery series (Thomas + Mercer), the Jane Austen Society mystery series (Crooked Lane Books), the Lee Campbell thriller series (Kensington), and the Claire Rawlings mystery series (Berkely Prime Crime). She’s also the author of Cleopatra's Dagger (Thomas + Mercer), The Star of India (Titan Press), and The Haunting of Torre Abbey (St. Martin's Press). Her short stories have appeared in anthologies from St. Martin’s Press, Doubleday, and the Mystery Writers of America. Her play Strings Attached was produced at the Kennedy Center, and her plays/musicals have been presented regionally and in New York City. She has taught at NYU, Duke University, the Royal Court Repertory Theatre, and the American Comedy Institute. Carole holds a BA from Duke University.
Read moreCarole Buggé
Carole Buggé
(also writing as Carole Lawrence, C.E. Lawrence, and Elizabeth Blake) is the author of the Ian Hamilton mystery series (Thomas + Mercer), the Jane Austen Society mystery series (Crooked Lane Books), the Lee Campbell thriller series (Kensington), and the Claire Rawlings mystery series (Berkely Prime Crime). She’s also the author of Cleopatra's Dagger (Thomas + Mercer), The Star of India (Titan Press), and The Haunting of Torre Abbey (St. Martin's Press). Her short stories have appeared in anthologies from St. Martin’s Press, Doubleday, and the Mystery Writers of America. Her play Strings Attached was produced at the Kennedy Center, and her plays/musicals have been presented regionally and in New York City. She has taught at NYU, Duke University, the Royal Court Repertory Theatre, and the American Comedy Institute. Carole holds a BA from Duke University.
