Mystery fiction is already a hit genre ever since. There are many mystery classic books that inspired some of the best contemporary mystery novels today. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, JB Clemmens, and J.D. Robb are among the top mystery writers in literature. Romance, on the other hand, is also a powerful literary genre that readers from all over the world have read once in their life. Daniele Steele, Patricia Sims, Monique Boyd, and Nora Roberts are some of the best romance authors in this period.
But, how wonderful would it be if these top genres will be combined? Readers will surely be anticipated to read every chapter because of the twists and turns of the story. So, if you desire to write the next bestselling mystery romance novel, then here’s the guide to writing a great story.
Identify the type of mystery
There are different kinds of mystery that your story can feature. Disappearances and killings that are connected to the protagonist are the typical mystery showcased by mystery romance books. Since there is wide array of conundrums and cases to choose from, it is important that you identify the puzzle that the characters of your story needs to solve. This is essential so that your readers will not be confused and in order for them to perfectly follow the story. Thus, ensure to know the type of mystery that needs to be solved before you jumpstart the writing process.
Conduct a proper research
Research is vital. Even though this is a fictional story, you should never go wrong in inputting the crucial details — such as legal terms, investigation process, and such. Conducting a thorough research adds to the authenticity of your story. Hence, the readers will be more drawn into the tale and create profundity to it. Another benefit that you can get in doing the study is that you can come up with new concepts and ideas that can help your story arrive at a certain point that is better than what you’ve planned. So, start studying the important aspects of your mystery romance book and make sure that they are relevant to your plot.
Use appropriate language
Language contributes to the overall impact of you novel. With the wrong usage of it, your work might be on the risk of losing its readers. That said, you should focus and identify what language is appropriate base on your target readers and the theme of your book. Since this is under mystery romance fiction, your targets are definitely not children. You are allowed to use terms that are appropriate for adults, scenes that are romantic, events that are passionate, and happenings that are full of suspense. It is all about relevancy and hitting the spots. Hence, it is truly essential to use the right language so your readers can also fully understand the story and the meaning of every text.
Ensure to convey both romance and mystery
It wouldn’t be a mystery romance novel if there are no mystery and romance scenes on it. Do the best that you can to convey and show the romantic events that the characters create in the story. But, make sure that these situations full of affection and love don’t compromise the journey towards revealing the mystery. It should always be balance. Take for example the unique love on A Major Hurdle book by Patricia Sims, there is a harmony between the romance of the main character and her love interest and the mystery that revolves around an invisible enemy.
Pay attention to plot holes
Plot holes can definitely throw your story to the edge. These are some of the things that you should be careful of in writing a great mystery romance book. Each inconsistency in your plot has the ability to elude the logic of the tale. Readers will surely lose interest in your book if they spot more than one gap in the storyline. Therefore, check your manuscript after you finished the draft. You may also want to get the help of a professional editor for a more engaging and cleaner manuscript. The bottom line is that you have to make sure that the plot of your story is gapless and engaging.
The Happy Hammock 