Here is part two of a crime writers new years resolutions I hope that you enjoy them.
6) Read more crime fiction. Immerse your self in the genre by reading a new crime fiction novel every month. (Serious)
Reading in the daytime makes me feel guilty, because I at the back of my mind Is the list of other things I need to do, Either house work, garden work or writing work. Now as I sit here thinking this through, I wondering if I dare schedule a reading hour into my normal work day. It feels scary but do you know what I am going to do it.
Read more crime fiction. Spend at least 1 hour a day reading crime fiction, preferably the sub genre I plan to write next.
7) Create a perfect crime with no Plot holes. Write a crime story so flawless that not even a seasoned detective could find a single plot hole. (Tongue in cheek)
Believe it or not, this is what I aim for every time. It is about planning and editing rather than writing and I have been working on both.
Pay close attention to planning and editing in order to produce a more satisfying experience for the reader. Review my planning and editing techniques in order to eliminate plot holes. Now I’m wondering if I’m setting myself up for trouble by making this public.
8) Join a writer’s group. Engage with other others writers for feed back support and motivation. (Serious).
There is a story here. When I first started writing, a friend and I formed a writers’ group in our area because almost every ‘learn how to write’ course, book, or video will tell you how important it is. It did not go well. I was nervous from the start because I am not a group person, and that became obvious at once when I failed to be the easygoing bubbly, let’s all help each other, type of person needed. People seemed to enjoy picking holes in everyone else and most of us felt both put down and attacked and the answer seemed to develop into attacking others before they attacked you. The COVID lock down came as a blessed relief and the group never restarted. However, my friend Jackie and I continue to meet regularly and that has been fantastic. We have learnt so much by working together in each others weak areas. She doesn’t write crime though, so I possibly would benefit from another crime writer to talk to.
Continue meeting with Jackie. Develop a solid timetable of learning for the year to come.
9) Make every reading guess wrong. Ensure that every single reader is completely surprised by the twist ending. (tongue in cheek)
Now this is an interesting suggesting, I have never consciously tried to have a twist ending that is a complete surprise to the audience. I am more of a wind back-and-forth kind of writer, but it would be good to write at least one book that has a really good twist.
Plan a new future novel with a surprising twist ending. Research different ways to surprise the reader and produce a brilliant twist ending.
10) Create stronger villains. Develop more complex and compelling antagonists.
This should have been on my list, even without AI, in many ways the villain is more important than the protagonist who never really changes. I always intend to do more research but never do.
Look at my antagonists and see how I can make them more compelling. Possibly one for my writing days with Jackie.
Here we are with five more resolutions. I’m so glad that I have done this as it has given me some concrete ideas for the year. I hope that you also find something that inspires your writing journey.
Abigail Thorne 