Quebec Writers' Federation Workshops

Spring Session 2012

BUILDING A MYSTERY: CRIME FICTION WORKSHOP

Eight Mondays, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (March 5 to April 30 - no meeting April 9)

1200 Atwater Avenue, Suite 3
Workshop leader: Nadine Doolittle

Cosy drawing room mysteries, chilling psychological suspense or tales of international espionage—at the heart of crime fiction is the puzzle. Who did what to whom, when and why? And what’s at stake if the crime isn’t solved? The goal of this workshop is to give participants a clear understanding of how to construct the perfect mystery.

Whether the format is police procedurals or hard-boiled crime, the plot is the backbone of the crime novel. Therefore we’ll concentrate our attention on building plot using Aristotle’s Incline—a three-act road map to guide the writer from his or her opening scene to catharsis.

Each session will begin with a brief discussion of the stages of Aristotle’s Incline and then we plunge in, writing hot beginning with the opening scene. This is exploratory writing, not intended for critique but to jump start the story, tap into characters as yet unknown and set the stage. For those who have works-in-progress, the exercises will trim a sluggish story, identify plot holes and ramp up suspense. We’ll break before the end of each session for discussion, questions and trouble-shooting.

By the final day of the workshop, participants will have the skeleton of their crime novel in place with six key scenes written, a setting and an emerging cast of characters.

Bonus tips on: What to read and what to avoid • How to make time for writing • Advice and resources for writers from the novice to the nearly published.

Nadine Doolittle writes psychological suspense set in the Gatineau Hills of West Quebec. Her debut novel, Iced Under, was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel in 2009. Her second novel, The Grey Lady, is released this spring by McArthur and Co., along with the paperback edition of Iced Under. Her third novel, The River Bride is in the final stage of revision.

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