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This session cuts through the uncertainty with ten signs that show when you can confidently move forward; no matter if you are going from vague concept to first draft or from finished manuscript to polished plot. You can break through the chaos of conflicting advice, assumed obstacles and disconnected information with some structural understanding and insider secrets.
You don’t need a complete outline or the perfect twist—but you do need key fundamentals. This talk reveals what those fundamentals are and why they matter. Missing a few? You’ll know exactly which skills to develop next. No guesswork, no overwhelm. Each sign points you towards concrete techniques you can learn and apply immediately. This session guides you, step by step, through some well-known and some lesser-known mystery writing basics to keep you inspired and on track while writing your murder mystery.
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MURDER CAKE
The single biggest challenge that writers face when they want to write a murder mystery is a lack of understanding the basic Murder Mystery Story Structure. To help writers overcome this challenge, I have created the concept of the MURDER CAKE. The Murder Cake clearly illustrates the parts of a murder mystery story structure, what the different layers mean and how they work together to help writers stay oriented in their story.
“In order to get where you’re going, you need to know where you’re starting from.” Juanita R Violini
AVAILABLE for WRITING FESTIVALS & Online Classes
Presentation Title:
CLUEZILLA VS THE RED HERRING
Presentation Description:
Every great mystery walks a tightrope between fair clues and fiendish misdirection. Get it wrong, and your solution is either too obvious or completely unfair. Get it right, and your readers will gasp, re-read, and marvel at your genius.
Meet Cluezilla. The distracted, undeniable, undulating clue trail that leads straight to the truth—if your readers can follow it.
Beware The Red Herring. The slippery, deceivingly illusive path designed to send sleuths (and readers) spiraling in the wrong direction.
Presentation Type: Seminar
Session Duration: 60 minutes
Target Audience: Any level of mystery writer
Genre/Category: Mystery
Audiovisual Requirements: Projector/Screen
AVAILABLE for WRITING FESTIVALS
& Online Classes
Presentation Title:
MURDER MYSTERY ROADMAP
9 STEPS FROM BLANK PAGE TO COMPLETE PLOT
Presentation Description:
In this power-packed workshop, you’ll learn the 9 essential steps that take you from zero to mystery plot—before you even write a single scene. Each step builds on the last, guiding you smoothly from idea to actualizing your plot, ensuring it is solid, surprising, and satisfying.
Work with me and take the mystery out of plotting… so you can put it where it belongs: in your story.
Session Duration: 6 HoursTarget Audience: Any level of mystery writer
Genre/Category: Mystery
Audiovisual Requirements: Projector/Screen
Book a Plot Consultation
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO CONTACT ME
As a mystery plot consultant, I help writers turn the overwhelming chaos of ‘what to write next’ into an immediately actionable, direction forward.
Whether you’re stuck in the middle of a manuscript, wrestling with motive, or just getting started, I offer practical, story-specific guidance rooted in over 35 years of experience and more than 100 mystery plots written for stage and page.
Our sessions are fast-paced and collaborative. I ask targeted questions to uncover what’s missing or misaligned, then help you move forward. You might gain clarity on the three layers of mystery structure, insight into character dynamics, or a strategy for creating and hiding clues your protagonist can find. You leave inspired and eager to keep writing.
Want to go it alone? Check out my books Clue Trail: From Whodunnit to Solution (5 diagrams) & The Mystery Bones Method Diagrams (9 diagrams) for a visual system of plotting.
I am thoroughly enjoying Juanita’s Character Blueprint classes. I am getting so much out of her instruction. She is a wonderful teacher, and her handouts are fantastic. As a very visual learner, I especially appreciate the care she puts into those materials.
Thanks Jill! It’s great to have you in the class.
Do you have recorded sessions available for viewing after the course has run? I’m unable to participate on-line while the course is running, but would be interested to view it after. Can I pay the fee (I’m a Sisters in Crime member) and receive the recordings?
Hi Jan – thanks for your interest! There is a process where the Alexandra Writers Centre Society can record it. It’s something like the person who wants the recording has to have registers and everyone in the class has to be ok with being recorded, which is discovered in the first class when they are asked. If someone says ‘no’ then the requesting person gets a full refund. And the recordings are only available to be watched for a week. It’s something like that. Others have expressed interest in the class and can’t make it this round so I might check with them if they will run it again. At some point I might offer it myself or make lessons for sale but it won’t be anytime soon. Long to do list …