The Technique of the Mystery Story (1914) is a book by Carolyn Wells.
Before she began writing her Detective Fleming Stone series of mystery
novels, Carolyn Wells was a published poet, accomplished children's
author, and professional jingle writer. In the middle of her career, she
heard a mystery story by Anna Katharine Green and was instantly hooked.
Through years of practice and attention to the craft, she earned a
reputation as a leading fiction writer of her generation, an adept
craftswoman whose stories appeared in some of the leading newspapers and
magazines of the day. "Why is the detective story? To entertain, to
interest, to amuse. It has no deeper intent, no more subtle raison
d'être than to give pleasure to its readers." Writing is a simple act,
requiring only the mind, a pen, and a piece of paper. But how does one
write well, grabbing the reader's attention and ensuring their time will
be rewarded by the end of the story? In The Technique of the Mystery
Story, Carolyn Wells cuts to the core of a craft she defined despite
coming to it late in her career. Exploring the history of the genre,
defining its many different forms, and illuminating the stylistic
choices that keep a mystery tale running smoothly, Wells provides an
invaluable template for writers looking to follow in her footsteps or
for readers looking for access to the mind and process of a woman
revered in her field. With a beautifully designed cover and
professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Carolyn Wells' The
Technique of the Mystery Story is a classic work of American detective
fiction reimagined for modern readers.
