Crime Fiction Writing Guides
Craft guides on plotting, suspense, dialogue, and character — from Phillip Strang, author of 150+ crime novels. Practical techniques from the writing desk.
The autopsy report scene sits at the intersection of clinical precision and emotional devastation, where cold medical facts must somehow ignite the fire that drives your protagonist forward. Most writers either drown readers in technical jargon or skate over the surface with vague generalities, missing...
Real-time narration in crime and thriller writing presents one of the most challenging technical demands in the genre. When a murder unfolds on the page or a terrorist plot reaches its climax, the author must balance immediate visceral impact with the careful orchestration of clues, character reactions,...
The false lead scene presents one of crime fiction’s most delicate balancing acts: how do you send your protagonist down a dead-end path without making readers feel cheated? Every investigative thriller depends on misdirection, but the difference between sophisticated plotting and reader frustration...
The moment when forensic findings emerge can make or break a crime novel. Too early, and you rob the story of its tension; too late, and readers feel cheated by information withheld artificially. The art lies in calibrating these revelations to serve both plot momentum and reader satisfaction.
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The hospital scene presents one of the most challenging environments for crime writers to navigate effectively. Between the sterile corridors, the urgency of medical care, and the emotional vulnerability of victims and witnesses, these scenes demand a delicate balance of tension, authenticity, and character...
Phone call scenes present a unique challenge in crime fiction: you must create dramatic tension using only voices, with no body language, setting details, or visual cues to carry the weight. The reader experiences the conversation through disembodied dialogue, yet these scenes often deliver the most...
The suspect interview conducted outside the formal confines of a police station presents unique narrative opportunities that many crime writers leave unexplored. Unlike the controlled environment of an interview room with its recording equipment and legal protections, the informal interrogation strips...
The moment your detective finally sees the pattern represents the most crucial turning point in any crime novel. This isn’t simply another clue falling into place—it’s the scene where scattered fragments suddenly form a coherent picture, transforming your protagonist from someone reacting...
The briefing scene stands as one of crime fiction’s most treacherous territories—a necessary evil where authors must convey crucial information without boring readers senseless. Every detective novel needs moments where characters share intel, update investigations, or coordinate operations, yet...
The surveillance scene separates competent crime writers from those who truly understand the mechanics of investigation. Too many authors treat surveillance as dead time between action beats, missing the opportunity to build character, advance plot, and create the kind of sustained tension that keeps...
The funeral scene occupies unique territory in crime fiction, serving simultaneously as a crucible of genuine grief and a calculated narrative device for gathering suspects under one roof. Unlike other dramatic moments that can be staged anywhere, the funeral forces your characters into proximity while...
The confession scene sits at the heart of crime fiction’s emotional machinery, yet most writers approach it backwards. They focus on what the suspect reveals rather than why they choose to reveal it, missing the psychological mechanics that make confession compelling rather than convenient.
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