I thought this would
be a simple task, a good way to finish up the series on how to write different
types of mysteries. Boy, did pride goeth before that fall!
Also, this is a
small group of published books compared to say cozy or traditional mysteries.
And, after all, true crime mysteries are, well, true. They aren’t novels. The
books are classed as creative non-fiction rather than as a category under
“crime novels”. Yeah, except …
It seems that in the
true crime book world there are actually three ways a writer can go: 1) “true
crime” with verified facts only but relayed creatively; 2) “true crime novels”
in which the basis is verified facts enhanced with the storytelling touch that
extrapolates and imagines beyond the facts; and, 3) “based on true crime
novels” which are inspired by a headline or court case but are wholly
fictionalized retellings.
Okey dokey.
I made the decision
to stick with Door #1. I figure enough tips exist in my other posts that you
could, maybe already are, writing a #2 or #3 book. Those are fiction. True
Crime is non-fiction and, thus, is bound by specific rules.
In some cases the
lines blur. Writing about an historical case, like Jack the Ripper, relies upon
suspect and scanty data. While the murders might be factually relayed from
newspaper and official reports, the fact is there’s not enough there, there to
bring the case to closure. Speculations about the identity and motives for Jack
the Ripper emerged from the beginning in the fall of 1888, and there is still no
definitive conclusion. However, a recent book claims to name Jack the Ripper based on DNA evidence.
If you want to write
an authentic true crime book, please read widely in the genre, as has been
suggested in past posts. A starter set of authors appears at the end of this
post.
I have a fascination
with true crime stories. There are several that haunt me: the mummified babies
found in a steamer trunk in Los Angeles, the church-run Irish home for unwed
mothers where dozens of baby bodies were found, and how King Tutankhamen
really died. Those pull at me, but frankly, I don’t want to work that hard to
write a book.
You see, true crime mysteries
require more research than any other mystery subgenre. Sure, you can start with
a computer search, but this type mystery requires you to interview those
involved, where possible, and to dig into archival records and read courtroom
transcripts and the police interview reports. Stuff like that. Ann Casey says
she interviews ~100 sources for her true crime books and spends a year in the
research and writing, with ¾ of that time doing research. These are not quickly
knocked out books.
There is the
responsibility to get it right. When you name people, even dead ones, their
relatives or victims might disagree with what and how you present the case. True
crime authors are much more likely to encounter resistance while trying to get
information as well as from readers who may know more than you do. You may even
be sued. Many true crime authors have been.
Still want to sign
on? Maybe these fifteen elements will help guide you to a successful book:
Elements in True Crime Mysteries:
1) The crime must be a spectacular one to
justify writing about it.
People should have heard of the crime, which builds your audience of readers.
2) Choose your catchy title early to keep the
focus of the book where you
want it.
3) The author most often creates a foreboding
atmosphere building up to
and including the commission of the crime.
4) Use many of the elements from police proceduralmysteries.
5) There is a section/sections in the book
where the victims are portrayed in normal day-to-day life. Things appear normal before their world is
turned upside down.
6) The villain is often known from the
beginning by the reader and
his/her actions typically drive the retelling. Often authors explore
psychological explanations for heinous behavior.
7) The author has to pay special attention to
pacing the true crime
retelling to alternate and escalate tension in scenes.
8) Humor is not an expected part of true
crime tales and, if used,
may detract.
9) While how the crime was done can be quite
graphic, even more attention is given to motives and intentions.
10) There is rarely a “hero” in the novel
sense.
11) You need a background in elements of
crimes and how courts and
law enforcement function. You will understand what you are reading and will be
able to interview sources better
12) Keep meticulous notes. Imagine the IRS is going to audit your
research trail. Have names, dates, data all clearly identified. It is
impossible to have too much data documented.
13) Don’t include anything which you do not
have more than one source for
and it’s best to have at least three validations.
14) Create a timeline for the crime and tuck the data bits into the appropriate
slots.
15) Why ARE you writing this book? What is your purpose, your intent? If it’s
about capitalizing on and sensationalizing the tragedies of others, you might
want to rethink your plan.
If you are writing about a current court case, Ann Rule has some great advice for you when you attend the trial.
Here’s a great resource for someone writing true crime mysteries. She writes about defrosting cold cases.
If you want to write true crime mysteries, read authors like
these:
Jana Bommersbach (had to put in an AZ author for an AZ
crime)
Truman Capote (no website)
Norman Mailer (no website)
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