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Carol Potenza

Carol Potenza

New Mexico Mysteries

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Demystifying the Beats: How to Write a KILLER Book

September 16, 2022 by

Demystifying the Beats: How to Write a KILLER Book

Cozy, hard-boiled, or historical… Is writing your mystery novel a complete mystery?

Crafting a convincing mystery requires unique story beats—the keys to delivering a satisfying read.

This sassy chat presented by award-winning authors reveals the secrets to help you execute a story that works. You won’t be handcuffed to a formula. It’s a guideline for assembling clues, criminals, and conclusions in your unique, “perfectly-poisonous” blend.

Whether your book is a carefully plotted caper, a crime of opportunity, or something in between, join our covert operation as we demystify the mystery beats.

AVAILABLE IN EBOOK, PAPERBACK, AND AUDIOBOOK

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About the Book

Excerpt: …But how many mystery writers have committed murder? (Put your hand down.) Stolen priceless works of art in a daring midnight heist? Kidnapped a member of the royalty for ransom? How many mystery writers have actually even solved a crime? Sure, lawyers and police officers and retired FBI and CIA agents write books. But there are a lot of us out there who faint at the sight of blood, are allergic to cats, or can research the heck out of the type of gun and ammunition used to kill a victim but have never fired one. We know, deep in our hearts, that write what you know is a metaphor for writing about the shared human condition. But we still don’t know if it’s okay for a never-before-introduced forensics expert to appear out of the blue in the final scene of a mystery and hand us the lynch-pin piece of evidence that fingers the murderer. (Actually, we do, and no, it’s not okay.) So, we struggled through plotting and writing our mysteries, digging into blogs and books that promised to tell us how to master suspense structure or build unforgettable stories. And while they were helpful, they weren’t that helpful…

What do you get when four author friends get together to write a nonfiction How-to?

Demystifying the Beats

How to Write a Killer Book

For all the aspiring mystery writers and those writers who would like to hone their craft to a knife’s edge sharpness, Demystifying the Beats is now an audiobook! You can listen and take notes as you craft your story and make sure you have the mystery beats included in you story. Because we don’t want writing your mystery novel to be a complete mystery.

You won’t be handcuffed to a formula, oh, no no! We deliver a guideline for assembling clues, criminals, and conclusions in your own unique, “perfectly-poisonous” blend.

So settle back into a comfy chair with pen and paper or sit poised with fingers hovering over your keyboard. Listen up and write your mystery. And don’t forget to pick up the ebook or paperback!

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Audio Book Sample

Details
Authors: Carol Potenza, Erin Krueger, Jordyn Kross, Ryley Banks
Series: Non-Fiction
Genre: Non-fiction
ASIN: B0BF64HZ67
ISBN: 9781736326268
“I wish this book had existed when I decided to write my first cozy mystery! It would have saved me so much time and research. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to try their hand at mystery writing.”
– Tamra Baumann, award winning author of Cozy Mystery and Romance
“A fast, fun read full of irreverent humor and keen insights. I’ve already thumbed through Demystifying the Beats to improve my next manuscript.”
– J.J. Cagney, author of the Cici Gurule Mystery Series
“Inspiring and entertaining, this book provides a useful guide to writing a well-plotted, well-paced, and well-twisted mystery both for beginners and the more experienced writer.”
– Dianne Freeman, author of the award-winning Countess of Harleigh mysteries
“A perfect how-to to write the perfect mystery! Even seasoned writers might learn a thing or two with this one. The authors lay out the beats and give writers a step-by-step guide on how to write/outline a mystery that will keep readers glued to the page. Highly recommend!!!”
– NY Times Bestselling Author Darynda Jones
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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