KN Magazine: Articles
Making History Relevant to Story without Slowing the Pace
In this craft article, Tori Eldridge explores how writers can seamlessly integrate historical and cultural detail into fiction without slowing the pace. Through practical techniques like embedding history in character genealogy and revealing information at impactful moments, she demonstrates how to enrich storytelling while maintaining momentum and reader engagement.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know about Real Police Work: PTSD
PTSD is not a plot device—it’s a lived reality for first responders. In this candid and deeply personal craft article, David Lane Williams explores how trauma shapes veteran police officers, paramedics, and firefighters, and why writers must understand its psychological, emotional, and cultural impact. From dark humor to hypervigilance to private coping rituals, this piece offers essential insight for crafting authentic, layered law enforcement characters.
This Crazy Writing Life: When Publishing Throws You A Curve Ball—Again—And The Scammers Circle Above
Publishing is a people business—until it isn’t. In this installment of This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack shares the rollercoaster saga of his novel Pearson Place, from near-acquisition heartbreak to unexpected second chances. But just as hope resurfaces, scammers swoop in with AI-generated flattery and too-good-to-be-true offers. This candid, sharp-edged craft essay offers hard-won wisdom about perseverance, publishing politics, and protecting yourself in a predatory literary landscape.
This Crazy Writing Life Performs Killer Nashville Post Mortems
In This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack reflects on the energy, community, and evolution of the Killer Nashville conference. With humor and honesty, he shares insights into the changing landscape of mystery and crime writing, the importance of connection in a writer’s life, and why building relationships—not just networks—remains at the heart of every successful writing journey.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: Legal Justification for a Traffic Stop
Former police officer and author David Lane Williams explains how traffic stops really work, what makes them constitutionally sound, and why understanding “probable cause” is essential for writers crafting authentic crime, mystery, or thriller scenes.
The Unreliable Narrator: How to Heighten Suspense and Keep Readers Guessing in Psychological Thrillers
Unreliable narrators are the secret weapon of psychological thrillers—pulling readers deep into a character’s mind while keeping them on edge. From fragmented memories to emotional delusion, discover how this narrative device builds suspense, sows doubt, and keeps the truth just out of reach.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work: You Have the Right to Learn About the Miranda Warning
Writers, stop winging police dialogue. If your cop character is cuffing suspects, they’d better know when (and how) to use the Miranda Warning. Here’s what every writer needs to get right about real-world police procedure—and why it matters.
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: Effective Use of Weather to Create Tension and Introduce an Atmosphere of Menace
Weather can do more than set the scene—it can create tension, foreshadow violence, and immerse readers in menace. This post explores how psychological thrillers use weather and atmosphere to amplify suspense and deepen characterization.
Five Key Elements in a Psychological Thriller
Psychological thrillers thrive on fear, suspense, and distorted realities. This post explores five essential elements—menace, tension, mind games, twists, and unreliable narrators—that define the genre and keep readers turning the page.
Drop the Pen! What Every Writer Should Know About Real Police Work
A retired detective turned writer reveals the most common mistakes authors make when writing cops—and how to avoid them. From evidence mishandling to Hollywood tropes, here’s how to get it right and honor the real work behind the badge.
How to be Funny in a Murder Mystery
Can a murder mystery be funny and suspenseful? This post explores how writers can balance humor and horror, offering five strategies for injecting comedy into crime fiction—without undermining tension.
What is A Thriller?
In this post, we explore the defining characteristics of a thriller, particularly psychological thrillers. From creating suspense and high stakes to delving into mind games and unreliable narrators, this genre keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
If They'd Mentioned This in The Beginning…
A candid look back at two cops-turned-authors sharing coffee, early dreams, and the long road from writing craft to traditional publishing—complete with hard lessons, heartfelt reflections, and a touch of gallows humor.
The Scene Of The Crime
Setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing element that shapes your story. Whether you're crafting a cozy small town or a treacherous wilderness, location can deepen mood, drive plot, and become a character all its own. Explore how the right setting can transform your mystery into something unforgettable.
From Claymore to Award-Winning Series
My new mystery novel, Broadcast Blues, is the sixth in a series about a TV journalist in New York City who solves murders. This post covers my journey to publishing this series, from the idea's inception to winning the 2016 Claymore Award.
When Secondary Characters Demand the Spotlight
Secondary characters can take center stage unexpectedly, bringing new layers and depth to a story. This post explores how to develop secondary characters into primary ones and the benefits of giving them the spotlight.
Writing From a Male POV – As a Woman
Writing from a male point of view as a woman author can be challenging—but also illuminating. In this post, I share why I chose a male protagonist, how I approached research and authenticity, and what I learned about gender, psychology, and character development along the way.
But It Really Happened
Many fiction stories are rooted in unbelievable but true events. This post explores how real-life crimes inspire crime fiction and how writers transform fact into compelling fiction while walking the line between truth and creativity.
Twelve Steps to Writing the Cozy/Amateur Sleuth Mystery Series
Award-winning author Lois Winston outlines twelve essential steps to writing a successful cozy or amateur sleuth mystery series, sharing insider tips from her own bestselling experience.
10 Tips for Submitting to an Anthology
Learn how to improve your chances of getting published in a short story anthology with 10 insider tips from an experienced author, editor, and publisher.
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