Are you interested in writing mystery fiction, but don't know where to start? Do you come up with ideas, but find yourself stuck on where to take them?


This course:

  • provides an overview of different types of mystery writing;
  • discusses how to structure a story;
  • describes how to develop interesting characters;
  • covers the effective use of dialogue in mystery writing; and
  • discusses the themes and tropes that distinguish the mystery genre from other literature.


If you're looking for the basics on how to write compelling mystery fiction, this course is for you.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction to the Course

  • 2

    Lesson 1: Basics of Story Structure

    • Mystery Writing for Beginners - Lesson One

    • Chinatown

    • Mystery Fiction-Beginners-Lesson-One

    • Basic 3-Act Structure
  • 3

    Lesson 2: Creating Memorable Characters

    • Mystery Fiction for Beginners - Lesson Two

    • Mystery Fiction - Beginners - Lesson 2
  • 4

    Lesson 3: Writing Great Dialogue

    • Mystery Fiction for Beginners - Lesson Three

    • Mystery Fiction - Beginner - Lesson 3
  • 5

    Lesson 4: Mystery Genre Conventions

    • Mystery Writing for Beginners - Lesson Four

    • Mystery Fiction - Beginners - Examples
  • 6

    Lesson 5: Final Thoughts

    • Mystery Fiction for Beginners - Final Thoughts

    • Mystery Writers - Beginners - Resources
  • 7

    Post-Script

    • More resources!

    • Help me out!

About the instructor

Author and Screenwriter

Debbi Mack

This is the instructor section. You can use this space to tell and show your students who you are and why you're the perfect person to teach the course you're offering. You can talk about your work and education history, and really anything else that shows off who you are so your students get excited about learning from you. You're the expert after all, this is your chance to shine!

"Outstanding course for beginners. I learned a lot from it." -- Udemy student

Have an idea for a mystery and just need help getting the story together?

Take advantage of my experiences actually writing and publishing my own bestselling mysteries.

Sign up now!