Online Class: Mystery Writing

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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13Lessons
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27Exams &
Assignments -
1,654Students
have taken this course -
9Hours
average time -
0.9CEUs
Course Description
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.
Our innovative writing exercises will get your creative juices flowing by bringing out the writer in you and sparking new ideas. Additionally, there are questions after each lesson which will allow you to recap what you have learned and test your knowledge.
The entire course is designed to offer you great information in a way that will get you thinking about your own mystery and personal writing practices. Whatever your age, experience or level of ability, this course constantly challenges and informs you so that your writing can't fail to improve and you will learn how to stay motivated and inspired through the entire writing process.
Course Motivation
A mystery is a story in which something is hidden from one or more characters. Mystery and Detective fiction are interchangeable terms, with detective fiction referring more commonly to murder mysteries. The most popular Mystery or Detective story sold worldwide is arguably the 'whodunit' in which a crime, usually a murder, is committed and characters struggle to solve the mystery and gain some kind of recompense by punishing the perpetrator of the crime.
Thinking About Mystery
Answer the following questions to get you thinking about mystery and the implications the term holds for you personally:
1. What mysteries can you think of? Think about classic stories, modern novels, movies, television shows, and dramas. Make a note of all that you can think of.
2. What elements are common to all these mysteries? Think about:
a. What is the mystery? Is it a crime, a murder perhaps?
b. Who is trying to solve the mystery, and what are they like? Are they a professional or an amateur? Do they have a vested interest in solving it -- for example, money or revenge?
c. When is the crime or mystery brought to light, and when is it solved?
3. How predictable was the outcome of the stories? How did the predictability affect your enjoyment of the mystery? Was there anything you would have done differently?
Noting similarities between characters and stories is useful for two reasons:
1. As a writer, you need to know your genre so you can write for it or challenge its boundaries.
2. The second reason is to note trends in mysteries you encounter so you never duplicate typical storylines in a way that will make them predictable for your reader. Knowing what to expect means you know how to surprise your reader, and surprise is an important part of any mystery.
Challenging Your Genre
Knowing what makes a good mystery is a matter of reading. Reading mysteries and making your own notes on how and why they are effective is the best practice for writing your own mystery. In the modern mystery market, there is a huge demand for mysteries of all kinds, those that conform to the typical mystery protocol, and those that veer off the beaten track. Whichever of these options appeals to you, it is essential that you are familiar with the genre before you challenge it.
Challenging the genre can be done in a number of ways. Remember, if you remove the mystery elements, it won't be a mystery anymore, therefore the puzzle, crime, or murder has to remain. Elements you can play around with are those of character and narrative, perhaps challenging the stereotype of the "detective" or telling the story from an unusual viewpoint.
Sub-Genres
A sub-genre is a genre within a genre. Mysteries have a number of story "types" that you may wish to consider. These are often blended together and the edges are commonly blurred as mystery writers become increasingly reluctant to be bound by the conventions or rules of their particular sub-genre. Here a number of common sub-genres of the Mystery:
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'Hard-Boiled" – These are usually noted for their gritty realism. They tend to have more graphic representations of violence and sex and are more likely to deal with disturbing or shocking crimes. These are tough stories that aren't necessarily for the faint-hearted.
- "Cozies" – These are almost always set in small towns or villages. They have a gentler, more genteel tone and the characters tend to be particularly likable. The crime that has to be solved in a cozy mystery is usually bloodless, or at least without graphic description.
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"Historical" – Obviously these are mysteries set in the past. These stories require a lot of research into the historical era they are set in, as while their readers are prepared to accept that the mystery may not have actually happened, the detail of the setting must be correct; anachronisms will seriously impair the quality of the writing and isolate the reader.
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"Private Eye" – These are simple detective mysteries where the solver of the mystery is a licensed private investigator. Often these mysteries are complex and rely on the amazing talent and insight of the sleuth to solve them.
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"Procedural" – Sometimes called "Police Procedural" mystery stories, these are mysteries that focus on the procedure and activity of the police who are solving the crime. These include details of investigations, police protocol etc. Similar to this is the forensic detective story.
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"Didactic" – Didactic is a way of describing mysteries that aim to inform or teach the reader about a particular arena, for example, a mystery that is set in a particular professional world.
- "Amateur" – Opposite in many ways to the "private eye" sub-genre, this type of mystery is solved by a character who is not from the detective or police field. Often the sleuth is another type of professional from a different field completely.
- 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

Course Lessons
Lesson 1: The Mystery 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
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 2: Starting Out
Lesson 3: Research
Lesson 3 Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3: Research
Lesson 4: Storytelling -- Plot and Sub-Plot
Lesson 4 Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4: Storytelling; Plot & Sub-plot
Lesson 5: Storytelling -- Characters
Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 5: Storytelling; Character
Lesson 6: Storytelling -- The Narrative
Lesson 6 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6: Storytelling; Narrative
Lesson 7: Mysterious Elements - The Red Herring
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 7: Mysterious Elements; The Red Herring
Lesson 8: Mysterious Elements - Violence and Murder
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 8: Mysterious Elements; Violence and Murder
Lesson 9: Mysterious Elements - Suspense
Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 9: Mysterious Elements; Suspense
Lesson 10: Mysterious Elements - Realism
Lesson 10 Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 10: Mysterious Elements; Realism
Lesson 11: Mysterious Elements - Revelation
Lesson 11 Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 11: Mysterious Elements; Revelation
Lesson 12: Redrafting a Mystery
Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12: Redrafting a Mystery
Lesson 13: Overcoming Mystery Writer's Block
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
Learning Outcomes
- 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

- 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

Choose Your Subscription Plan
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Includes CEUs | X |
Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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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