Suspense and Mystery Editor
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"Write As We Go"
Coaching Program

If you have a work-in-progress you might prefer to send me a few chapters at a time. That way you can consider my suggestions as you write the following chapters.

We can work together as the story grows, and you can pick your own pace and pay as you go.

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How to Write Suspense
Stories and Mystery Novels:

Editing through Bristol Services

Crime Fiction That Sells

Broad Scope:
Suspense fiction reaches readers through the fears and expectations we all have about our society. Touch on universal themes in the broad arena of humanity to give your book a sense of importance and give readers a need to keep turning pages.

Personal Scope:
At the same time, show the very personal impact the crime or intrigue or mystery directly has on the main character.

Twists:
Carefully build your plot so that surprise plot twists can entertain readers along the way.

Clues:
Your plot twists and final resolution need to be based on facts you have already supplied but they must be facts that fit together unexpectedly. You want that "Ah! I should have realized that might happen!" kind of reaction from your readers.

More on How to Write Suspense:

How to write suspense and mysteries

Keys to Writing a Successful
Suspense Story or Mystery Book:

1. Read, read, read!
Determine your specific subgenre of crime fiction (be it suspense novel, medical thriller, international intrigue, cozy mystery, police procedural, etc.). Then read the following, at a minimum, regarding your field of crime fiction.
      Read books of the precise subgenre you want to write.
      Writing Crime Fiction (The Writer's Library) by H.R. F. Keating. A concise and to-the-point book about every form of mystery and related genres--highly recommended.
      Police Procedural: A Writer's Guide to the Police and How They Work (Howdunit) by Russell Bintliff. If your suspense novel or mystery book involves police and their inner workings, this gives you background you'll need to know.
      The Fine Art of Murder: The Mystery Reader's Indispensable Companion edited by Ed Gorman. An explanation of numerous forms of the mystery book, with lists of books in each form to give you a solid foundation in that specific subgenre.

2. Revise, revise, revise.
More than any other form of fiction, crime novels benefit the most from strong planning, outlining, and making detailed notes before you even start chapter one. Make a plan. Follow that plan. Deviate only if better avenues open up to your characters. Then revise mercilessly to be certain all your plants and hints and clues and characters fit the plot exactly.

3. Get professional editing.
Yes, this is a plug for my services, but it is true: Professional editing services can help you grow as a writer in ways that studying books could never do. I take your own plot, characters, and ideas and review them with an eye to marketability. Then I address your own strengths and help you bolster your weaker spots to create the strong story that you want. Interested? Click here to see more about my services.

Suspense Stories and Mysteries Written by My Clients:
Dan Kalla of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has his second book of his two-book deal from Tor/Forge (a subsidiary of St. Martin's Press) now on the book stands! Resistance and Pandemic both offer readers an exciting ride into international medical thrillers.

Check them out by clicking on the book cover illustrations.

Editor's Note:The first book Dan wrote, Beyond Therapy, was a medical suspense thriller which had originally been set in Vancouver. When his agent asked for it to be set in Seattle instead, we were pleased to work with Dan to make this geographic change realistically suit his plot. It worked--a two-book deal soon followed. Congratulations, Dan!

 Dan Kalla Book Published

Dan Kalla - First book

Congratulations to Beth Pratt of Toronto, Canada, for signing on with Bookenders literary agents for her mystery series. The series is a "backgrounder" genre of mystery fiction, in which the world of fine art is the basis for setting, plot, and motives. Beth's extensive knowledge of her subjects--both art and mysteries--as well as an easy reading style is what prompted offers from four literary agencies before she decided on her agent. Next step--publication!
Suspense editing gives publishing edge

Fiction editing services helps writers succeed
Coby Derek James of New York has two suspense novels being published back-to-back! Wine,Dine and Death Down Under has just been released by Llumina Press. It is the first in a series of multicultural spy thrillers featuring hero Chet Lake.

His second book, suspense story Mugged in Marseilles , was picked up by Action Tales.

He wrote, "I got a publisher for the Australia book and I acknowledge you for your help in the acknowledgements. Your edits were excellent and I incorporated all of them in the revisions."

Check out more about his books by clicking here.

Chuck Grall of Sequim, Washington, enjoyed seeing his mini-mystery short story published in Woman's World. Chuck says, "They only changed two words and gave it a different title. I am very excited, and even more excited about writing more stuff. I can only think about how many great writers have never sent anything in. Nothing in, nothing back. This is the spark I needed, the proof that it does work. Thank you very much for your help."

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