Class Description
Do you dream of writing a mystery novel but don’t know where to start? This beginner-friendly course will guide you through the essentials of crafting mysteries, domestic suspense, and psychological thrillers that keep readers hooked until the very last page. Together, we’ll explore the building blocks of mystery writing: creating compelling characters with secrets, structuring tension and pacing, planting clues and red herrings, and developing atmospheric settings that heighten suspense. We’ll also cover the psychology of suspense and why readers love being kept on edge. We'll dive into how to design twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. By the end of the course, you’ll have the foundation for your own mystery novel, along with practical exercises to strengthen your storytelling skills. Whether you’re a first-time writer or returning to the page after a break, you’ll leave this class with confidence, inspiration, and a clear path toward your suspenseful story.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
Chloe Panta is an award-winning novelist and winner of the CBC Writing Competition. Her short story was published in Middleground Magazine, and she is a traditionally published author of a creative nonfiction title Untapped Magic (New World Library). She specializes in mysteries and psychological suspense and mentors emerging writers.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 12
Class Style: Workshop; participation- and assignment-based
Materials List
Required
- Digital Course Packet
First Assignment
A strong mystery begins with a compelling premise; a situation charged with tension, secrets, and unanswered questions. This assignment will help you clarify the foundation of your story idea. In 1–2 pages, describe the central situation of your mystery. This should answer:
- Who is at the heart of the story (the protagonist)?
- What mystery, crime, or unsettling event disrupts their world?
- Why does this situation matter deeply to them (personal stakes)?
- Identify the core question driving your story. For example: Who killed her husband? or Why is the neighbor hiding her past?
- Brainstorm at least two possible twists or hidden truths that could later reshape the reader’s understanding of the story. (These don’t have to be final, you’re practicing thinking like a suspense writer.)
A Brief Syllabus
- The Anatomy of Suspense
- Characters with Secrets
- Clues, Red Herrings, and Twists
- Pacing, Tension, and Setting
- Dialogue and Voice
- Pulling it Together: First Chapters and Beyond
Cost and Registration
6 Sessions, $200 ($180 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($200), Community Supported ($185), and Sponsor ($215). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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