Murder Most Famous

For the first time, I had a real excuse this week for not getting down to any writing. I felt sick all day Monday and then about Monday tea time started being physically sick. This lasted all Monday night and through Tuesday; making me tired all through Wednesday. Consequently I spent a lot of time on my back and in bed. However, I managed to use the time to my advantage by firstly reading a Lee Childs novel; Without Fail (more of him next month) and watching Murder Most Famous on BBC every afternoon this week. What I can’t understand is why this was on in an afternoon…..Anyway, short synopsis: Minette Walters and 6 Celebrities; each trying to write a crime novel, and each day one of them must leave. The winner (Sherrie Hewson) will go on to write a crime novel.

Minette gave the celebrities 10 Rules to follow:
1. Devise a Credible Murder
It gets to be a credible murder via:
2. Do your Research
Observe, Experience, ask questions (about the murder you are committing inside your head)
3. Understand Emotion and Psychology
How does it feel to be a murderer / victim? What leads to murder? Motivations and Emotions.
4. Use what you know
Be prepared to ‘go naked’. What makes you angry isn’t so different to what makes a murderer angry – it’s a matter of degree. Dig deep into your own emotions. Face your fears and emotions to write something worth reading. Let yourself go. Use visualisation and imagination. See the person in intricate details. How do they feel? Smell? Get inside the mind of a killer!
5. Get hands on Experience
However, never forget your reader. Too much detail kills your readers imagination.
6. Create Credible Characters
Details bring words to life. Why do people do what they do? Why / how do people become murderers / victims? Think about the web of deceit.
7. Hook your Reader (and maintain suspense)
Action sequences create suspense. Pace depends on the length of sentences.
8. Write Authentic Dialogue
Make sure it moves the plot forward. Think about the rhythms of speech – make it sound natural. Must make murderer sound intimidating / frightening. Can’t just write ‘he said menacingly’. Create a sense of unease.
9. Expect the Unexpected
Keep your readers on their toes. Everything is not always what it seems. Think about twists and turns, cliff-hangers, clues and red herrings – what do you want to show the reader? The smallest clue can change the direction of an investigation. Different witnesses may recall different (and conflicting) details. People are easily deceived when they are frightened. People are easily misled if they don’t know they are being misled… Keep your readers guessing!
10. Bring your book to life
Atmosphere and Feeling!! (Typeface and Lettering!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/murdermostfamous/