Category Archives: Story Development

PROLOGUES – To Use or Not To Use!

Posted on September 25, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Often I blog about using interesting methods to develop murder plots, and sometimes murder mystery writers use a prologue to set up their story – possibly with an actual murder scene or with a scene that gives valuable information to … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, All About Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, How to Use Prologues, Misuse of Prologues, Plot Development, Prologues, Proper Use of Prologues, Purpose of Prologues, Story Development, When Not to Use Prologues, Why Use Prologues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Why Do People Kill?

Posted on August 28, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

It’s a simple question, but people have been struggling to find the answer for centuries.  In last week’s blog I discussed the core legal definition of murder but asked this very question as I researched the subject. And law enforcement … Continue reading →

Posted in a killer gene, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Character Development Techniques, Characteristics of Killing, Characteristics of Murder, Defining Murder, Murder is Defined, Reasons Why People Kill, Reasons Why People Murder, Story Development, The Definition of Murder, The Psychology of Murder, The Science of Murder, The Warrior Gene, Why People Kill | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The Making of a Hero in a Murder Mystery

Posted on August 8, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

There’s nothing better than a memorable protagonist in any story, but the good guy in a murder mystery is the one who saves the day by solving the crime and bringing the perpetrator to justice. As I develop storylines for … Continue reading →

Posted in All About Writing, Character development, Protagonist Development, Protagonists, Story Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments