Cozy & Charming - Writing

CHARM KILLERS

A charming sleuth would never:

• Use the word should

• Criticize (“That was dumb.”)

• Speak in an aggressive or skeptical tone

• Dismiss someone’s worries

• Offer platitudes

You create this welcoming environment by adding elements to the setting that evoke comfort, delight, and serenity: the aroma of fresh-baked bread, a lake dotted with sun-sparks dancing on the surface, the soft feel of a cotton quilt, the taste of cinnamon in the homemade applesauce, a kitten’s purr. Notice that all five of these examples include... See more

charming amateur sleuths show genuine interest in the people and situations around them. When chatting, your sleuth maintains eye contact

Most cozy mysteries take place in self-contained communities. This guideline serves several charm-inducing purposes, both logistical and thematic.

From a logistical perspective, charm derives from contented familiarity. Knowing that character A takes a walk along the river at 8 o’clock sharp every morning or that character B, locally renowned for his moody paintings of meadows, sets up his easel on the village green on foggy days, provides welcome predictability, a comforting rhythm to daily... See more