Unlocking the Secrets of Iconic Characters: A Guide for Mystery Novel Authors
Creating memorable characters is a little bit like creating a new life. Iconic detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Miss Marple have captivated readers for decades, and not just because they crack tough cases. Readers love them because they feel authentic and relatable. These characters have distinct quirks, strong motivations, and detailed, interesting backstories that make them unforgettable. By learning from these literary legends, we can craft characters who stand out and keep readers glued to the page from start to finish.
How to Write Dialogue— Creating Realistic Conversations
Think about all the people you know and what it is about their personalities that stand out to you. I’ll bet in at least some cases, your answer is based on how they speak. For example, the guy at the office who uses a certain phrase all the time, or the lady who lives down the block who always seems to be chomping on a stick of chewing gum and cracking it in between sentences. Or maybe you know someone sarcastic—always saying one thing but meaning another, in a mean or nice way. Or you have an uncle who is always cracking jokes, or an aunt who talks veeeeerrrrryyyy slooooowly. These types of characteristics make a person unique and memorable. The same applies to characters in a book.
