Four Things You Must Include in a Crime Novel if You Want it to Succeed

Though crime fiction differs in style from genre to genre, there are some fundamental elements that must be included in any type of crime novel to be successful. You just can’t go wrong if you leave these things out.

Writing a crime novel isn’t an easy endeavor; it takes a lot of planning and effort—and some luck. To make your novel stand out from the rest, you have to go above and beyond what’s usually expected.

 

As writers, we are often asked how to write a murder mystery. Most of the advice out there is basic, like setting the scene, creating believable characters, providing clues, etc. Plus, there’s the sin—the dreaded “whodunit” moment. Many authors tend to over-write those scenes, or leave them in, telling the reader everything they need to know. But we shouldn’t forget about technique, because technique can make or break a story. So, with that in mind, we need to share seven things you must know if you want to write a murder mystery.

1. You have to do your research

It’s imperative that you do your homework. Writers have to know what they’re talking about, be knowledgeable about their topic, and be able to explain the topic in a way that engages readers. Someone can’t write well on subjects they don’t understand, which is why you have to write on subjects you know well. As a first-time novelist, you probably want to write a novel, so you’ll want to do your research.

Yes, you are required to do research if you want to make this your full-time career. You will need to be knowledgeable on what you want to write, how you should go about writing it, and what subjects you are qualified to write about. But not just any research will do.

2. Build a believable character

In fiction, character — especially in a novel — is one of the most important aspects of a book. That’s because, aside from plot and setting, character is what keeps readers engaged and interested in what your book has to say.

 

Developing believable characters is one of the most important skills any fiction writer needs to master if he or she wants to write something readers love. As with most things in fiction, if you create your character incorrectly, you’re almost certainly going to wind up with one of those “it’s not believable characters,” which, for any fiction writer, is a bad, bad thing.

When you sit down to write a story, you visualize your characters. You have a mental image of them in your head. You probably even have their name and backstory (at least if you’re writing fiction). However, you need more than just a mental image, you need to write your character in a way that compels the reader to believe in them. When the character’s actions are believable, the reader will follow their every thought.

3. Write a great backstory

When writing a screenplay, there’s not much room to tell a full, complex backstory, so writers tend to focus instead on the narrative that unfolds in front of the camera, often leaving backstories as minor details or a footnote. But backstories can be very important, not only because they should help readers understand a character’s motivation and drive, but also because they can help a reader connect with the character on a subconscious level. 

There are several things authors can do to create a compelling, interesting backstory for their characters in a novel. First, you can create compelling characters, which pull the reader into the story; these can make even a simple plotline enjoyable. Second, you can weave compelling backstory into the story, which transports the reader into a world the author has created. Third, you can kill your protagonist off early on, which gives them a backstory and character motivation that is two times as strong. Finally, you can kill off your protagonist at the end of the book, creating a sense of resolution to their story.

4. Build suspense.

If your book “Build Suspense if You Want it to Succeed” is accepted for publication, your editor will send you a contract. Sometimes this comes with a suggested “pre-publication” cover design. While the idea of working in this way appeals to many authors, others prefer to create their own covers, typically using stock images. Designing your own cover requires some thought and effort, but even if you have little or no artistic ability, you may be able to find stock images online that will help tell your story.

When writing a novel, you might have heard advice to use suspense to keep your reader hooked. Allow them to wonder what will happen next. The suspense builds slowly until the author lets the reader in on the secret.