Inklings of a mystery writer

I didn’t plan to be a writer when I grew up. When I was a kid, I placed writers on pedestals—“writers” like Carolyn Keene, “author” of the Nancy Drew series. Larger than life, they seemed as fictional as their characters. Turns out some of them were—like Carolyn Keene. But not my other favorites like E.B. White, A.A. Milne, L. Frank Baum. With authors like that, I found it hard to believe that an ordinary person like me could become a writer. 

Then, when I was in sixth grade, I got mono and missed two months of school. That’s when my mother handed me a copy of my first Nancy Drew mystery—“Secret in the Old Clock.” It wasn’t long before I became obsessed with the girl sleuth. I started wearing a trench coat, made my own sleuth kit, and wrote my first mystery, “The Mystery of Mr. X.” While Nancy Drew was fiction, she inspired me to follow my passion—and that passion turned out to be writing mysteries.

I’ve had 50-plus books published over the years, including two mystery series for adults (Connor Westphal, deaf reporter, and Presley Parker, party planner), a new mystery series for middle-grade (THE CODE BUSTERS CLUB), and THE OFFICIAL NANCY DREW HANDBOOK. After all if it weren’t for Nancy Drew, I wouldn’t have had those first inklings. I thought I’d share some of Drew’s clues to writing that worked for me.

1.    Create unforgettable characters:  “You know Nancy.” All agreed she possessed an appealing quality, which people never forgot. ~ Clue in the Diary

All stories are based on interesting characters—there are no exceptions. Introduce us to your character a little at a time, using action and dialogue (showing), rather than a thumbnail sketch (telling). Create realistic characters without using stereotypical traits, and include some surprises about the character that are believable. Finally, give the characters conflict—happy characters make dull characters.

2.    Use dialogue: Suddenly the young sleuth snapped her fingers. “I know what I’ll do! I’ll set a trap for that ghost!” ~ The Hidden Staircase

Dialogue makes a story come alive. It also helps move the story along, increases pace and creates drama. Listen to real conversations for realism, then edit and tighten them to make the dialogue readable. Keep attribution simple—use action or “said,” rather than adverbs and euphemisms for “said.” Finally, read your dialogue aloud. 
3.    Set the scene: Many Colonial houses had secret passageways. “Do you know any entrances a thief could use?” ~The Hidden Staircase

A vivid setting pulls the reader into the story. It also intensifies suspense and becomes a character in itself. Show the setting through the character’s eyes and include all five senses, telling details, and occasional metaphors.

4.    Add mood and atmosphere: Nancy had heard music, thumps and creaking noises at night, and had seen eerie, shadows on walls. ~ The Hidden Staircase

Give a sense of foreboding through description. Mood and atmosphere give the story depth and stimulate the emotions of the readers. Use foreshadowing to give the reader a feeling of unease.

5.     Outline your plot: Ellen was alarmed. “We must do something to stop him!” “I have a little plan,” Nancy said. ~ Quest of the Missing Map

Before you begin writing, outline your plot so you know, generally, where the story is headed. You can keep it simple and just jot down the major plot points of the story—where the story takes a surprising turn and how it ratchets up the suspense. Or you can write a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, with the option of veering off if the story requires an alteration.
6.    Start the clock ticking: “Hurry, girls, or we’ll miss the train to River Heights!” Nancy knew being on time was important. ~ Secret of Red Gate Farm

Begin with the inciting incident, which starts the clock ticking. Include not only the situation, but where it takes place, and who’s involved. This is where you ask the story questions: What if….? Think about your goal as start the story and where it will lead.
7.    Create conflict: Nancy struggled to get away. She twisted, kicked and clawed. “Let me go!” Nancy cried. ~ Secret of the Old Clock

There is no story without conflict. The protagonist must come up against an antagonist, which can be a person, an idea, a corporation, or some kind of evil. Conflict helps reveal the protagonist’s needs, values, and fears, and causes her to confront her demons, challenge herself, and become a hero of sorts.
8.     Pack it with action: “How do we get in?” “Over the top, commando style,” George urged. “Lucky we wore jeans.” ~ Clue in the Crumbling Wall

Today’s reader wants action, so give your protagonist opportunities to do something physical. Give her a choice between fight or flight, and when she fights—make her strong but still vulnerable.
9.     Raise the stakes: In a desperate attempt to break down the door Nancy threw her weight against it again and again. ~ Secret of the Old Clock

The story begins with a challenge for the protagonist. But that’s not enough. As the story moves along, something worse must happen. And just when you think it’s safe to go back into the water, things become even worse. Keep raising the stakes to keep those pages turning.
10.    Give the protagonist strength: “Girls don’t faint these days,” George scoffed. ~ Secret of Red Gate Farm

As the protagonist comes face to face with the antagonist, she must pull out all her reserves and use her own skills to change the situation. This heroic attempt must also create growth and change in the protagonist.
11.     Don’t give up: Nancy tried to open the door. It was locked. Not easily discouraged, she tried a window; it was unlocked. ~The Hidden Staircase

I really believe the reason I’ve had over 50 books published is simply because—like Nancy Drew—I followed my passion and never gave up!

Comments

[Jonnie Jacobs]

Good writing tip reminders, Penny. And thanks for the Nancy Drew memories. Reading your post I had one of those flash moments where I was twelve years old again. I can still recall the absolute thrill of starting a new Nancy Drew book. -- But the covers I remember were the originals. :)

[penny warner]

Thanks Jonnie! Great to see you here. You've long been one of my role models!

[Susan Shea]

50 books?! I had no idea....hat's off to you. You make Nancy look like a slouch.

[Mysti Berry]

Did your Mom yell at you for trying to read in the dark? I still remember my shelf of Nancy Drews....

[Ann]

I was more a Sherlock Holmes fan, but even I remember the covers to the Nancy Drew books! I certainly read my own fair share. :-)
Over 50 books?? Wow... that's enough to fill a whole bookcase!

[MarinaSofia8]

Really, Carolyn Keene was a made-up person?!! I too was a huge Nancy Drew fan. I liked the fact that at last we had a strong, clever female detective (still, I read the Hardy Boys too).

[penny warner]

Susan, It's easy to pen 50+ books when you're my age--90....

[penny warner]

Mystery, my mom is the one who turned me on to Nancy Drew. She was thrilled when I chose reading over watching "I Love Lucy."

[penny warner]

Ann, I was a Holmes fan too, as well as Agatha Christie and ... James Bond!

[penny warner]

Mysti -- how funny! I just called you Mystery!!!

[penny warner]

Marina,
I was shocked to learn there was no real Carolyn Keene, but I admired Mildred Wirt Benson when I found out she wrote several of the Nancy Drew mysteries.

[Linda]

Love not only the writing tips, but the honoring of my first remembered heroine as well--Nancy was a huge part of my girlhood (although I started with The Bobbsey Twins); I loved Nancy so much! I also swiped my brother's Hardy Boys away from him (naughty me). And as far as the unforgettable characters--who didn't want Carson Drew as their Dad?--I actually fondly remember Nancy's cars as almost characters unto themselves...

For those of us who remember these series fondly, a wonderful history is "The Mysterious Case of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys" by Carole Kismaric and Marvin Heiferman.