by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
One of the questions I’m most asked when I speak is how I come up with my ideas. This, of course, is probably the number one question that all writers are asked when they’re public speaking. At least I usually am asked a variant of the question because they want to know how I come up with mysteries.
I usually say that I start with the victim. And that’s true … about 75% of the time. It’s an easy way to start out a cozy mystery. You can develop someone who’s either really hateful and has plenty of enemies or create a character who seems too good to be true…and is.
Once I have a good idea who my victim is, it’s easy enough to come up with my suspects. Who would most want this person dead? An ex-wife? A neighbor he’s had disputes with? The husband of the woman he’s having an affair with? The suspects come together naturally when you really know your victim.Continue reading
