Cozy & Charming - Writing

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

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 se... See more

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

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

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