Writing a Detective Novel
A course by Charlie BecerraCrime Fiction Writer
A course by Charlie Becerra, Crime Fiction Writer
Discover the elements needed to write mysterious and gripping stories that bring enigmatic characters to life
Author Charlie Becerra, awarded honorable mention at the 2020 Premio Nacional de Literatura de Perú for his novel Solo vine para que ella me mate, has devoted his career to mastering the art of writing detective novels.
In this course, learn to create suspense, add unexpected twists, and examine the clues of crime novel authors to unravel the mysteries of writing your own story.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 17 downloads
What is a detective novel?
8 minutes, 22 seconds
The storyline
5 minutes, 27 seconds
The "detective"
10 minutes, 0 seconds
The enigma
8 minutes, 17 seconds
The suspects and the clues
7 minutes, 53 seconds
The timeline
7 minutes, 13 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin your investigation by getting to know crime fiction author Charlie Becerra. He gives you the facts about his professional career and discusses his favorite books and the famous authors who have inspired him to write.
Continue by delving into the theory and learn about how detective novels are structured, the different categories that exist, and their defining characteristics to give yourself a foundation for writing your own story.
Next, examine the essential writing elements to define your character, establish the narrative thread, and start planting clues and suspects to lead you to the ending of your story.
Using his own experience, Charlie then teaches you how to avoid common mistakes and falling into tropes before sharing some useful resources to help build the story line of your crime novel.
Finally, discover the secrets to writing a compelling climax where all the pieces of your story come together and learn how to overcome creative blocks with some useful tips and workarounds.
What is this course's project?
Lay the groundwork for your own detective novel by giving it a title, establishing the timeline, and writing the opening scene.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who wants to begin their journey into writing crime fiction.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed to take this course, just bring inspiration, creativity, and come ready to learn how to write gripping stories.
For materials, you need a computer, a corkboard, and a notebook.
Reviews
- 6 days ago
Muy elemental.
- 7 months ago
Muy buena introducción a la escritura policial. Buenos conceptos y guías.
- 10 months ago
Claro e objetivo. Gostei muito! E o Charlie Becerra é um ótimo professor, além de ótimo escritor.
- 1 year ago
Grazie di cuore per avermi guidato nel mondo affascinante della scrittura di romanzi polizieschi.
- 1 year ago
Muy buen curso introductorio para inventar misterios, yo lo compré porque pongo misterios para resolver a infancias en mi programa de radio Trapecio Infantil
His first novel, Solo vine para que ella me mate, earned him an honorable mention at the 2020 Premio Nacional de Literatura de Perú, and the film rights for it were later bought by a major producer in Los Angeles, California.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Elements of a detective novel
- What is a detective novel?
- The storyline
- The "detective"
- The enigma
- The suspects and the clues
- U3
Develop the final project
- The timeline
- Subplots
- The title of your novel
- The first scene
- U4
Final Recommendations
- The investigation
- The last fifty pages
- Keep focus
- The creative block
- FP
Final project
- Writing a Detective Novel
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course guides you step-by-step through creating a detective novel—from the initial idea to character development, puzzle structure, pacing, and resolution—covering suspense techniques and setting.
Yes, the course is designed for those with intermediate knowledge who want to refine their storytelling skills and dive deeper into the detective genre.
All you need is basic storytelling knowledge, a computer, and the motivation to write. No special software or prior detective writing experience required.
You’ll learn how to craft mysteries, pace clues, build detectives and suspects, manage psychological tension, develop rhythm, and structure subplots in detective storytelling.
The course covers strategies for setting stories in contemporary contexts like the pandemic, adding realism and relevance to your detective plot.
Yes, it explores key detective subgenres, their differences, and unique traits so you can pick the best fit for your story.
You’ll be taught how to create detectives and suspects with psychological depth, clear motivations, and meaningful roles in the central mystery.