Cozy writers - hello!

[Nonuw]

Hi fellow cozy mystery writers,

I've been looking around for a good how-to-write a cozy mystery book. I'm running into some plotting difficulties, which could improve with some technical suggestions. Any ideas?

Recently, I read "How to write killer fiction" by Carolyn Wheat - which was good, but a bit heavy on the PI/suspense methods - very far removed from the gentle cozy mystery that I'm writing, where the setting of the place is predominant, and not forensic gymnastics.

Any how-to book that you swear by? Or your own suggestions, perhaps?

Thanks in advance,
Nonu

[juniper]

Oh hi Nonu, too bad I don't still live in Costa Mesa. We could've done coffee and chatted cozy. I'm in Oregon now.

I've got a "how to write mysteries" book on my shelf - and I'm writing a cozy (very slowly, between work/school/family/life happenings). I read mostly cozies.

Let me put you on hold for a moment while I locate my how-to book.

{musical interlude}

Ok, I'm back. I have two books, but neither of them focus on cozies.

One is called "Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel" by Hallie Ephron. I've been to a couple of seminars by her at a writing conference and I really like her style.

The other is "Writing Mysteries" edited by Sue Grafton. This book is a group of "how-to, why-to" essays by many different mystery authors. It's from the Mystery Writers of America.

So no, I don't have or know of any cozy-specific books. But there's a cozy thread here somewhere - I'll see if I can find it for you.

[juniper]

Ok, here's the "all things cozy" thread. It's old but has good info / resources in it.

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197192

[Nonuw]

Thanks Juniper for the info, I've book-marked the link - and yes, I would've loved the coffee and a good chat about cozy mysteries :-) Oregon, though, seems to be perfect for writing. Hope the mist and the green have recharged you!