Over the summer, I finished the third book in the Writer Productivity series, How to Craft Killer Dialogue. And just on the heels of that launch, I received a message from Savvy Authors with an opportunity to go back to my roots and teach a class about mysteries—specifically, “Setting the Stage for Your Mystery.” That’s right. I have a new worldbuilding class for mystery writers that will take place online through the Savvy Authors message boards January 1-28, 2024. The cost is $40, but early registrants will receive $5 off with the code MYSTERYJOHNSON2024 at checkout! To take advantage of that discount, you must register on or before December 25, 2023. Space is limited, so register today.
This course is a must-have for any writer who needs assistance selecting and building the best setting for their crime, cozy, or killer suspense tale.
The class will consist of twelve lessons that will arrive on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. This course also includes exercises to reinforce learning, and the instructor will provide feedback to students, as desired, throughout the month. However, the assignments will not be mandatory so that participants are free to work at their own pace. In addition, students will be able to keep each lesson as they will be provided via email and remain available through the message boards even after the course has completed.
Here is a look at our syllabus for the four-week class:
Whether you’re writing a cozy or a psychological thriller, worldbuilding is essential. After all, if your audience can’t visualize your protagonist’s plight, they’ll lose sight of your plot. Unfortunately, many writers consider clever settings the sole province of fantasy authors. And while it is true that genre can influence which fantastical location you choose, an author’s setting is actually the unifying element for the literary techniques they’ll use to craft their next novel.
So with worldbuilding in mind, this course is specifically designed to get mystery writers thinking about setting in a comprehensive manner. We want to create rich environments that not only bring together major elements like characters and conflict but also delves into the nuanced elements of storytelling such as mood, tone, tension, and suspense. We’ll also discuss how to make fictional spaces (and very real places) become emotionally powerful locales that your readers will want to visit again and again.
So let’s get started, reserve your spot now!
What’s your favorite worldbuilding technique? Place your advice in the comments below, and reach out if you have questions about this fantastic course. HAPPY WRITING!
