Why does crime fascinate the reader or the viewer? From a gripping novel to a suspenseful film, both mediums are loaded with intrigue, blood, gore, missing persons, and dead bodies, and they certainly hold our attention for more.
Pushing boundaries is the adventurous inclination invited by human fascination, as is vying for the person we want to set free from crime.
Crime writing, like reading crime novels and viewing crime films, is an emotional investment for the adrenaline rush we crave. Words on a page must do the creative hard work that diegetic or non-diegetic music elicits to keep us on edge, before, during and after the crime has been committed.
Descriptive language, sharp, short sentences, sensory imagery and specific punctuation, create and elevate the mood that befits a crucial scene in a novel. The intrigue must be deep enough for the reader to push on, chapter after chapter, well into the night, or wee hours.
Crime fiction often draws inspiration from actual crime, which allows for greater reader appeal. Research is vital to achieving a realistic, entertaining selling point.
Attending a criminal court hearing is a valuable catalyst for storylines to kick off. Make a friend in your local police station and shadow the police person to walk in their shoes for a few days. What better way to get inside the aftermath of the crime?
Visit a prison, and if allowed, ask to interview a prisoner. Getting inside the minds of criminals fuels the creative urge for the realistic crafting of your MC.
Research profiles of victims of crime and seek a psychologist or psychiatrist to gain a greater depth of understanding of why the victim might have been targeted.
Visiting crime sites long after the investigation and conviction enrich the landscapes in a crime fiction story.
Live research is valuable for the unique imaginative triggers they invite. Equally, reading crime novels of note is vital to the crime writer.
Crime documentaries are accessible anytime if physically going to a prison or crime site is not an option.
Don’t go too far. Grab the daily newspaper, and a new crime of the day or week holds our attention as we seek more on the investigation.
Unending thirst for crime novels and films continues to expand, weaving through different genres and is an inroad to writing for aspiring creatives.
Writing the right crime pays.
What are your favourite crime novels and films?
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