Learning to Write a Murder Mystery by Juliana Aragon Fatula

This year I’ve taken some time off from writing to be present in my home with my family. But I have that itch. I need to write and so I’m going to try sharing some great books to read with my readers. I’ve read so many great books in my life but the first author I fell in love with was Pearl S. Buck when I was very young. It started my love for the Asian culture and language. 

I had a spell when I read nothing but Tom Robbins. My writing has taken on a sense of humor similar to his wackiness. I loved his characters. Sissy, the Woodpecker, Julian. 

In college I read Ethnic Literature, American Literature and World Literature and fell in love with many talented women writers. Maya Angelou and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings showed me how to open my heart and share my deepest secrets with my readers.

Sandra Cisneros taught me to write from the heart and be honest. She told me once, it will be interesting to see how you write now that you’ve been published. I never forgot her words. She told me to be brave and write without holding back anything.

Denise Chavez moved me so much when I began reading her novels I had to drive to Las Cruces to spend time with her in hopes that she would rub off on me some her magic. It worked.

For the last four years I’ve been reading how to write murder mystery books. I’m going to list some of the best books and explain how they guided me and built my confidence to write a great story. 

Linda Rodriguez gave me the best resources in her book Plotting the Character Driven Novel. She has a new book and I’m going to be sure and read anything she writes. Her novels are inspiring and she has inspired me to be a mystery writer. 

I have learned more than just great writing from the Stiletto Gang. And as a member of the Macondo Foundation, I have learned to give time and energy to the community I love and to pass it on. They are activists and they have taught me to always help other writers.