How to Outline a Cozy Mystery
Everything you need to know to create a plan to write your cozy mystery!
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If you are already a student, you still have access to the course.
Do you want to write a cozy mystery but don’t know how to get started? The How to Outline a Cozy Mystery course will show you how to create a framework so that you can begin writing your cozy.
Do you want to know the basic building blocks of a cozy mystery? Do you wonder why cozy readers devour these mysteries voraciously? Are you fuzzy on how the structure of a cozy mystery fits into the classic plot structure? Do you wonder what the “rules” are for a cozy mystery? Do you wonder where you can bend the rules?
Let successful cozy novelist Sara Rosett show you how she’s planned and written over 30 mysteries.
While each book is unique, every novel is built on a framework that is as old as storytelling itself. Cozy mysteries are no different. Discover the underlying structure that keeps cozy readers coming back for more.
In the How to Outline a Cozy Mystery course you'll discover:
- The many different outlining methods you can use to build your story framework
- The essential elements of cozy mysteries
- The psychology behind why readers choose cozies
- How a cozy mystery fits into classic plot structure with in-depth break-downs of story structure:
- Examples from popular culture using the movies Rear Window and Murder on the Orient Express
- Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett
- Deadhead and Buried by H. Y. Hanna
- The conventions (or tropes) that cozy readers want and expect
- Tips on how to hide clues and red herrings
- Special considerations that you must take into account in a cozy, like the amateur sleuth’s motivation to investigate and handling the challenge of connecting the protagonists with suspects
- How you can bend the “rules” of mystery writing
- Secrets to planning a multi-book series
- The three things you must know about your cozy before you begin to write
- And much, much more!
Rosett’s firsthand knowledge of cozy mystery structure and what cozy readers want can help you shape your idea into a novel. Rosett’s course will save you time and give you confidence as you approach the blank page. Sign up for Rosett’s course today and you'll get an easy to understand plan to guide you through the process of outlining your mystery.
Learn how to outline a cozy and start writing with Rosett's easy-to-follow course today!
Want a free preview of the course? Sign up for the Jump Start mini email course. You'll get three videos lessons sent directly to your inbox!
Your Instructor
USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings and puzzling whodunits. She loves reading Golden Age mysteries, watching Jane Austen adaptations, and traveling.
She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series: the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara is the creator of the online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery, and the author of How to Write a Series. Her nonfiction for readers includes The Bookish Sleuth: Mystery Reader’s Journal and Planner.
Publishers Weekly called Sara's books “enchanting,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.
What this course is NOT:
The How to Outline a Cozy Mystery course isn't prescriptive.
If you’re looking for a list of chapters and instructions like “drop clue #1 here,” or “dead body found in Chapter Two,” you won’t find that in this course.
Each story is unique. Some cozies will have a clue in the first chapter (or prologue!) while others may not have a clue until Chapter Five. The dead body may be on Page One—or it may not appear until about a quarter of the way into the book.
Where you place the discovery of the body as well as clues red herrings will depend on how you structure your story.
What this course IS:
The How to Outline a Cozy Mystery is a self-study course that gives you an in-depth look at the cozy mystery.
We examine the elements that make a book a cozy mystery, then look at how those parts fit together in a way that satisfies readers.
At the end of the course you’ll have the knowledge you need to create a framework—an outline—so that you can craft your unique cozy mystery . . . the cozy that only you can write!
Course Curriculum
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StartEssential Elements Overview (0:46)
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StartThe Difference Between Mysteries and Thrillers (3:09)
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StartReader Expectations (3:49)
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StartProtagonist (5:17)
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StartSetting/Tone (3:32)
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StartAntagonist (4:02)
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StartMurder (2:40)
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StartVictim and Suspects (5:01)
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StartVisibile/Invisible Storyline (2:14)
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StartThree Things to Get Started (0:48)
Expert Interviews
Kathi Daley - Holidays, Animals, and Culinary Cozy Mysteries
Sherry Harris - Hobby and Craft Cozy Mysteries
Lynn Cahoon - Small Town Cozy Mysteries
Amy Boyles - Paranormal Cozy Mysteries
Anna Castle - Historical Cozy Mysteries
Zara Keane - Romance in Cozy Mysteries
Plot Structure: Break-downs of Cozy Mysteries
Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett
Deadhead and Buried by H.Y. Hanna
Frequently Asked Questions
Testimonials
"I've been wanting to break into fiction, particularly cozy mysteries. But I had no idea where to start. Sara's course breaks all the elements down into manageable chunks. I highly recommend this course."
Elisabeth Daniels, author of The 5-Minute Guide to Diplomacy
"If you've always wanted to write a cozy mystery, but don't have a clue where to start, I recommend Sara's How to Outline a Cozy Mystery course. She provides the big picture to help you orient to plot structure along with the essential details you need to craft your outline. Even if you are a pantser at heart, this course will save you time and energy during the writing and editing phases because you'll know what you need for a story that works. The video lessons are concise and digestible, so you can integrate the concepts easily. If penning a cozy mystery is on your bucket list, let Sara help you get started."
Leslie Watts, Editor, Before and After Editing
"Just
wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I've appreciated your HOW TO
OUT A COZY MYSTERY online course and workbook. Both are so well organized and
provided just enough information and guidance to get me started with
confidence. So many other writing primers have left me in a state of paralytic
overwhelm. Yours has been a treat to dive into AND a great resource."
Jon Salem
"Even though I read a ton of cozies for pleasure and felt I had a fairly good idea of reader expectations, your lessons brought up points I hadn't considered, especially when planning a series."
Zara Keane
“Thanks for a very interesting course about outlining cozies. It helped solidify some things for me and opened up challenges in other areas.”
Charlotte Sinclaire
"I loved how the course explained, step by step, the elements
of a good cozy plot, and also the little touches that cozy readers really love.
It felt very comforting to know that there is an established structure for
these books (rather than just creative magic!) that we can build our plots
around. The idea of writing a cozy always felt intimidating to me, but it feels
extremely doable to me now. And Sara is a wonderful instructor, very clear and
supportive!"
Jennifer Carsen
"Sara's course is full of great information! It helped
me more clearly see and understand the different elements of a cozy mystery, as
well as how those elements come together to make a good story. I also loved how
the organization and examples make the material so easy to understand. Thank
you, Sara!"
Cate Lawley, author of the Vegan Vamp series
"I've just finished taking your online course for outlining cozy mysteries. I found it to be very helpful, both in assuring me that what I had in mind was on the right track and to also give me new ideas and insights I hadn't considered."
Erica Conroy @ PWS Podcast