Writing Crime Fiction

Whether you’re new to crime writing or ready to kickstart your next whodunnit, this four-week online course will equip you with the tools you need to create convincing characters and write the perfect crime.

You’ll work in a small group of dedicated writers with an expert tutor and guest appearances from acclaimed crime writers. We’ll explore different types of crime writing, from cosy crime to psychological suspense and police procedural to help you understand where your writing fits in this diverse genre, and experiment with different settings, situations, and when to reveal the mystery. By the end of the course, you’ll have written a page-turning crime story that will keep your readers wanting more.

Duration: 5 weeks 
Skill level: Intermediate
Frequency: Weekly
Sessions: 4

This course allows you to:

• Clearly identify different crime subgenres
• Find inspiration for crime stories from everyday situations
• Consider the writing process and development of a crime story
• Develop a realistic main character profile with goals, flaws and obstacles
• Experiment with different settings and environments
• Practise creating tension and suspense at the perfect moments
• Bring greater judgement in the selection, development and realisation of ideas
• Employ greater technical proficiency in your writing
• Further develop the professional skills writers require (eg discipline, attention to detail, ability to work to deadlines)
• Increase your professionalism in working with others
• Practise giving effective feedback to other writers and receiving critical notes
• Build greater independence, autonomy and critical judgement as you work on a final assignment

Session 1 – What’s the crime?
Delve deeper into crime fiction and its subgenres to discover what story you want to write and why. You’ll experiment with turning everyday occurrences into crime story ideas and producing the starting point of your story by focusing on the ‘what if’ question.

There will be an introductory group webchat with your tutor in the first week.

Session 2 – Whose story is it?
Find out who your main characters are and how they find themselves in their situation. What are their goals within the story, will they succeed, or will their own flaws stop them? You’ll learn what makes convincing characters and which POV will give your story its edge.

Session 3 – Where will it be set?
Bring your story world to life by experimenting with different settings and practising different techniques such as using senses and creating an atmosphere in your writing. You’ll make use of familiar environments to set a convincing scene.

Session 4 – How will it play out?
In this session, everything will come together as you combine your crime, character and setting to plot out a story and learn how to create suspense to keep your readers on edge. Using what you’ve learnt over the course, you’ll write and edit a piece of crime fiction (up to 2,000 words). This session will be spread over two weeks to give you time to write your story. At the end of the course, your tutor will provide feedback on your writing.

Live Q&A with a featured crime author from the North of England.