The Murder School

Episode 30: Challenges and Legalities

It's November and some of us are feeling the absence of NaNoWriMo - but there are lots of other options! This week I take a look at writing challenges and how to use these to finish that first draft. In the craft segment, do you need to be a lawyer to write a legal procedural? Spoiler: No.

Episode 29: SEO to GEO: There's Fear in the House

Remember when we all scrambled to learn about SEO—that mysterious art of getting Google to notice our websites and books? Well, the game is changing again, and this time it's all about something called Generative Optimization....nothing to be afraid of. Not like the Domestic Thriller genre, when the killer could be sitting beside you on the couch right now

Episode 28: Midweek Murder Motivation; The Art of Red Herrings

Welcome to Midweek Murder Motivation. Today we're diving into one of the most delicate balancing acts in our genre: the art of the red herring—keeping readers guessing without leaving them feeling cheated or frustrated.

Episode 27: Brewing Up Cozy Mysteries and Self Editing

As we get nearer to Halloween, my craft segment this week is timely, given I’ll be talking about spooky mysteries, and the world of paranormal cozies. In personal writing news, I have just received my fifth book in my cozy mystery series back from my editor, and I’m working through her comments, and revising my story. Then I’ll send it back for a second edit and then proof reading before sending it out to the world. I have always believed copy-editing and proofing are best left to the professionals. But I do my own developmental editing, before sending my book to some trusty first readers (beta readers) for feedback.

Episode 26: Midweek Murder Motivation; Time to Write

Today I'm addressing that perpetual challenge for writers everywhere: finding time to write when your life seems determined to fill every available moment. Let's start by dismissing the most persistent myth about writing time—that you need long, uninterrupted hours to make meaningful progress. The reality? Most books get written in the margins of busy lives, in fragments of time that their authors deliberately carve out and fiercely protect.