Online Class: Mystery Writing

This course is perfect for those who have an interest in either Creative Writing or the Mystery Genre. If you love to write and want to move into this popular genre, or you love to read a great mystery and have often thought you could do it, this course is for you.

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$120.00
with CEU Certificate*
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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 13
    Lessons
  • 27
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,789
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 9
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.9
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Mastering the Art of Mystery Writing

Dive into the suspenseful and thrilling world of mystery writing with this comprehensive course tailored for both budding and experienced authors. Whether you've always yearned to pen down a captivating mystery or you're an established writer wishing to venture into a new genre, our meticulously designed course will elevate your storytelling craft.

Why Mystery Writing?

Mystery novels have always held a significant position in literary history. In 2023, mystery and detective fiction represented a whopping 20% of book sales in the fiction category. Readers are inherently drawn to the allure of the unknown, the suspense of the narrative, and the intellectual challenge of solving the puzzle. Now, imagine being the architect of such a gripping tale!

Course Journey

  1. The Mystery Genre
    Dive deep into the nuances that define this genre. Explore successful mystery narratives and the elements that make them tick.

  2. Starting Out
    Every story starts with a spark. Identify your source of inspiration and lay down the foundation of your narrative.

  3. Research
    Behind every compelling mystery is a trove of research. Discover techniques to make your story both captivating and believable.

  4. Storytelling - Plot and Sub-Plot
    Craft a riveting central plot and complement it with intricate sub-plots that enrich your narrative.

  5. Storytelling - Characters
    Construct multifaceted characters that readers root for. Learn the importance of motives, backstories, and development.

... [Continuing through Lessons 6-13 with similar detailed structure]

Exclusive Features

  • Innovative Writing Exercises: These exercises are engineered to channel your creativity, challenging you to think outside the box and foster fresh ideas.

  • Knowledge Checks: At the end of each lesson, reflect on your learnings with thought-provoking questions that solidify your understanding.

  • Continuous Challenges: Irrespective of your age or experience, this course will persistently push your boundaries, ensuring your writing evolves with each lesson.

Key Takeaways

  1. Deep Genre Understanding: Understand the backbone of mystery writing, from its historical roots to its modern-day evolution.

  2. Craftsmanship: Equip yourself with a versatile toolkit to create compelling settings, characters, and plots that resonate with readers.

  3. Sustained Motivation: Writing is as much about consistency as it is about inspiration. Learn techniques to stay motivated and overcome writer's block.

  4. Revision Techniques: Master the art of redrafting and refining your narrative to perfection.

Who is this Course For?

For those with a novel idea but not sure where to start, we'll guide you from a blank page to a compelling mystery. And for the seasoned writer, we offer insights, techniques, and challenges to refine and expand your existing skill set.

Conclusion

The world is full of stories waiting to be told, and the realm of mystery holds some of the most intriguing tales. With the guidance of this course, you're not just learning to write a mystery; you're setting yourself on a path to captivate the minds and hearts of readers. Join us on this thrilling journey and leave an indelible mark in the world of mystery writing.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.5 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(2,065 votes)

Lesson 1: The Mystery Genre

27 Points
This lesson looks at what makes a story a mystery and defines the crucial elements of this genre.
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 1: The Mystery Genre

Lesson 2: Starting Out

27 Points
This lesson aims to look at how you can find and collect ideas that inspire you, moving on to give practical advice on getting that pen to paper for the first time -- planning, plotting, and brainstorming.
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2: Starting Out

Lesson 3: Research

27 Points
This lesson gives practical tips on where to find your research and how to write about real-life mysteries.
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3: Research

Lesson 4: Storytelling -- Plot and Sub-Plot

25 Points
This lesson gives practical advice on how to develop a plot that works.
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 4: Storytelling; Plot & Sub-plot

Lesson 5: Storytelling -- Characters

23 Points
This lesson shows how characters can be developed and getting to know your characters so they can be well-rounded and three-dimensional.
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5: Storytelling; Character

Lesson 6: Storytelling -- The Narrative

24 Points
This lesson gives advice, not on how a mystery should be narrated, but on what a writer's options are in terms of telling the story.
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6: Storytelling; Narrative

Lesson 7: Mysterious Elements - The Red Herring

24 Points
A red herring misleads the reader, takes them on a wild goose chase. It is a staple of the mystery genre.
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 7: Mysterious Elements; The Red Herring

Lesson 8: Mysterious Elements - Violence and Murder

22 Points
This lesson looks at how a writer can avoid isolating the reader by taking things too far. Additional lesson topics: How to Create Tension Through Misdirection
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8: Mysterious Elements; Violence and Murder

Lesson 9: Mysterious Elements - Suspense

25 Points
Suspense is how a writer keeps the reader reading their mystery. To achieve that un-put-downable effect, it is essential that you get the pace of the story just right, so the reader is kept involved and interested.
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9: Mysterious Elements; Suspense

Lesson 10: Mysterious Elements - Realism

25 Points
This lesson aims to help writers convey a sense of the real world by helping them identify and banish any unrealistic, overly contrived elements in their mystery.
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10: Mysterious Elements; Realism

Lesson 11: Mysterious Elements - Revelation

25 Points
It is difficult to decide, and every story is different, but this lesson offers some great advice on how to resolve the mystery and satisfy your readers.
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 11: Mysterious Elements; Revelation

Lesson 12: Redrafting a Mystery

10 Points
This lesson gives professional advice on redrafting, editing, and maintaining the mystery for writers of mysteries.
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 12: Redrafting a Mystery

Lesson 13: Overcoming Mystery Writer's Block

40 Points
Overcoming writer's block can be a nightmare for any writer of fiction, but this lesson offers practical, useful advice for the writer of mysteries who may be lacking in motivation or inspiration.
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Final Course Poll - Your Opinion; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 13A Assignment
  • Complete: Lesson 13B Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 13: Overcoming Mystery Writer's Block
324
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe the mystery genre.
  • Conduct research.
  • Describe storytelling essentials--plot and sub-plot.
  • Define characters.
  • Define the narrative.
  • Define the red herring.
  • Summarize violence and murder.
  • Create suspense.
  • Demonstrate methods for creating realism.
  • Demonstrate techniques for the final revelation.
  • Show how to redraft a mystery.
  • Summarize methods for overcoming mystery writer's block.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Mystery Writing
Course Number: 9770556
Lessons Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (2,065 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
Last Updated: January 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.9 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Dana Kristan
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "My instructor is a great teacher. I learn a lot. The feedback is helpful. The exams and assignments. They test my knowledge. I love completing it." -- Deserae H.
  • "I really enjoyed this course. The lessons were well written and gave practical advice and useful exercises to improve one's writing. I learned so much more than I had expected going in to it!" -- Reagan F.
  • "A wonderful experience." -- Lenora F.
  • "It was challenging, but very educational." -- Hubert G.
  • "The explanation on the parts of the actual mystery story were very helpful. The instructor was superb." -- Anita K.
  • "Instructor and course were excellent. Hope to take more courses with this instructor." -- Kyle B.
  • "I found the overall experience to be excellent. The almost instant response of the instructor to questions, to assignments, and to exams was very helpful, as were her suggestions." -- Vincent H.
  • "Ms. Merritt is an excellent instructor. She is very helpful and encouraging." -- Donna N.
  • "Each aspect was helpful, I liked doing the bits of writing for the course. Stimulating and interesting." -- Joan H.
  • "All of it was helpful. All of it was helpful." -- Cherie T.
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