Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories - By S.S. Van Dine (pseud. for Willard Huntington Wright)nnTHE DETECTIVE story is a kind of intellectual game. It is more--it is a sporting event. And for the writing of detective stories there are very definite laws--unwritten, perhaps, but none the less binding; and every respectable and self-respecting concocter of literary mysteries lives up to them. Here with, then, is a sort Credo, based partly on the practice of all the great writers of detective stories, and partly on the promptings of the honest author's inner conscience.

Advice on Novel Writing eBook - Extensive tutorial on novel writing by Crawford Kilian Foreword by the Author 1. Developing Efficient Work Habits 2. Elements Of A Successful Story * In the opening... * In the body of the story... * In the conclusion... * Throughout the story... 3. Style: Checklist For Fiction Writers 4. Manuscript Format 5. Storyboarding 6. Ten Points on Plotting 7. The Story Synopsis 8. Understanding Genre: Notes on the Thriller 9. Symbolism and all that * The Natural Cycle * The Natural Versus the Human World * The Hero's Quest: Mysterious or unusual birth * Symbolic Images * Symbolic Characters 10. Narrative Voice 11. Constructing a Scene 12. Show And Tell: Which Is Better? 13. Character In Fiction * The Character Resume 14. “Let's Talk About Dialogue,” He Pontificated * Some Dialogue Conventions to Consider: 15. Writing A Query Letter About Your Novel * The Letter Itself 16. Researching Publishers and Agents 17. Reading a Contract * Delivery Of Satisfactory Copy * Permission for Copyrighted Material * Grant Of Rights * Proofreading and Author's Corrections * Advances and Royalties * Author's Warranties and Indemnities * Copies to Author * Option Clause * Going Out of Print * A Word of Advice Afterword by the Author