Crime fiction is the biggest genre out there. It’s hugely – and, if I do say so, justifiably – popular with writers and readers alike. This is undoubtedly a great thing, but it also means there’s a huge amount of competition when it comes to getting your book noticed. While luck will always play a part in success, there are things you can do to improve your work and, with any luck, your sales too.
Tell the story you want to tell
Don’t write a story you think readers want to read or that publishers want to publish, what write what you want to write. It’s all too easy to tell when a novel has been written as something of a formulaic exercise. It sounds cheesy, but being passionate about what you’re writing can make all the difference.
Find where the suspense comes from
Very often, the suspense comes from the characters, as they’re the ones moving the plot forward. This focus on character is key: no one wants to read a crime novel where the characters are flat and lifeless and there merely to facilitate the plot. They want to read about characters who are multi-layered and interesting and who make things happen themselves.
Work very hard
There’s no two ways about it: if you want to improve your crime fiction, work hard at it. Write more of it. Edit it. Rewrite it and edit it again. Put the hours in. It’s the only way books get written.
Be organised about planning it
One of the main mistakes new crime writers make is to fail to properly plan. There is a certain amount of organisation that is required in planning; you need to take the time to lay the groundwork of your story in the early days so that it will stand up to the test of time. Don’t just plough in and end up writing something that falls to pieces when you go to read it back.
Make sure it’s a good novel…
… not just a good genre novel. A good crime fiction novel should be well-written, well-paced, and have a good plot and good characters. Just like any other novel.
Don’t copy what’s come before
If you’re serious about succeeding with your crime fiction, you can’t be afraid to think outside the box. The kind of crime stories that are popular now might not be so big in a year’s time; people are always looking for something new. Be prepared to take a risk and do something different.