We've all been there—inspiration strikes while you're in the shower, driving, or just about to fall asleep. A brilliant murder scenario unfolds in your mind, but by the time you can properly write it down, the magic has faded. Today, I'm sharing my 5-minute plotting technique to capture those fleeting moments of murderous inspiration.

Today’s theme is all about the long game for your writing career. In this world of instant gratification and living in the present, making long term plans for anything sounds dull, I know. And marketing can feel like the bane of a writer's existence. We'd much rather be crafting twisty plots and compelling characters than hawking our wares on social media. But the truth is, if you want to build a sustainable career as a crime fiction author, you can't afford to ignore the business side of things.

In the craft segment, I’m talking about a decision that will directly affect your marketing efforts is this: will you write standalone crime novels or a series of novels featuring the same characters?

Welcome to Midweek Murder Motivation, a bite-sized burst of inspiration for crime fiction writers. In just five minutes, we'll explore one aspect of crafting compelling murder mysteries that will keep your readers turning pages. So grab your notebook, silence your inner critic, and let's talk about the delightful art of literary homicide. This week, embracing your dark side.

It’s September again, and it doesn’t matter how old I am, I still get that “back to school” feeling. So there’s no better time to think about tweaking my plans for my author business to make sure I’m still on track for the rest of the year, and because my editor and book cover designer are busy people, I’ll be starting to plan for next year too.

I plan financially, and I also plan my productivity because the number of books I write directly affects my income. So it is crucial to plan my writing time.

In the craft section, I'll be looking at ways to write the perfect opening to catch your reader's attention and keep it until the very last page.

This week is about technology. In the craft section, I’ll talk about incorporating themes of technology in your fiction. But first, I’d like to talk about launching your book to local audiences, using a combination of online marketing strategies and in person events.

When I launched my first cozy mystery novel, before I made it available online, I produced print copies and hosted a launch party. It was a lot of fun, and the feedback I got from those first readers really helped with my online launch.

In today's digital age, social media is unavoidable. Although it has its dark side, social media has become an essential tool for authors looking to promote their books and connect with readers. As a crime fiction writer, you know that building a strong online presence can be the key to attracting new fans, engaging with your existing audience, and ultimately driving sales of your novels. But with so many platforms and strategies to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. So, today, I’ll explore some starter tips for authors looking to use social media to promote their crime novels, with a focus on building authentic connections and creating content that resonates with your target audience.

Crafting compelling stories is only half the battle. In today's crowded book market, it's not enough to simply write a great book – you also need to make sure that your target audience knows who you are and what you stand for. This is where building your author brand comes in. Your author brand is the unique identity that sets you apart from other writers in your genre, the promise you make to your readers about the kind of stories they can expect from you. And it’s not just a logo!

So why should Hallmark have all the fun when it comes to holiday-themed stories? If you are looking for a way to attract new readers and keep them coming back for more then crafting clever whodunits that just happen to take place during the most wonderful time of the year, and other holidays can be a fun way to engage readers into your world, and turn them into loyal fans- especially if they are a bonus giveaway.