Mystery Writing Prompts PDF Instant Download for Writing Groups and Teachers

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The other night my daughter was shocked when the doorbell rang during a thunderstorm. She could see the outline of a person against the backdrop of lightning. It was the police! Thunder! Lightning! Police! More lightning! 

Although she was scared, she did answer the door. On a different evening, a friend was in a similar situation. Police were at her door, but she called 911 to verify it was the police. In some situations,  there may be a suspicious person in the neighborhood, or they are looking for information about a neighbor. The police do not explain outside the door. This could be a frightening experience. 

Mysteries often begin with murder(s), detectives, and police. I wonder how some of the little towns in the murder mysteries series settings have anyone left living. I wonder if the shows may have to end for lack of possible victims! Not really, but this is a popular genre on television and in books. Romance is number one, and mysteries are second in popularity. 

One of the prompts is, “the floor creaked from footsteps one floor above.” Of course, this storyline may be taken in a different direction. It is up to the writer. This PDF is my usual, with several pages of pictures with text prompts and the same pictures without text. Writers can choose whether to use a text prompt, create their own stories just using one of the pictures, or write something else independently.  

Detectives are usually included in mysteries as they are needed to follow clues and lead the reader to a possible conclusion. Red herring clues help with plot twists and surprises at the book’s conclusion. Usually, one detective is in charge and disagrees with a younger one, and then the younger one proves he is right to the embarrassment of the one in charge, as in Endeavor by Masterpiece Theater. The younger detective is more handsome or beautiful, clever, smarter, and more insightful than the one who is about ready to retire. Ya know. So here is the dashing young man. Perhaps he is shown up by a female, like in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, also from Masterpiece Theater. 

Police might knock on the door at night. Usually, detectives and others work to gather clues, which necessitates visiting houses and places of employment. This page might be part of a mystery or another genre altogether. 

There are 16 pages of writing prompts and also one coloring page, as usual. Sometimes children are invited (perhaps being dragged along, kicking and screaming) to a writing class or group and need something to do. 

Thank you for reading. I hope you find these prompts helpful! 

Carolyn

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. She is also the author of” How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically.” She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. “Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers” (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and “The Great First Impression Book Proposal” (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. “The Frugal Editor” (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), recently released in its third edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it help them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is “A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques” (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing–grammar, formatting and more–at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for authors and retailers. She was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by members of the California Legislature and was an instructor for UCLA Extension’s renowned Writers’ Program for nearly a decade. Learn more about her writer’s services at https://CarolynHoward-Johnson.com.