Tips for Writing History and True Crime and The Benefits of Buying Second Hand Textbooks

Here are some pointers on how to write historical crime fiction. Before you begin, consider your options. Research should be used sparingly. You don't have to be restricted by your period. It's a good idea to walk the same streets as your characters. You should get to know your characters as if they were your friends. 

Before you begin, consider your options. 

You never know when or what will spark an idea for a new book – a snippet of overheard conversation or a lonely stretch of landscape, perhaps just a quirk of history that few people are aware of; the moment it happens is thrilling, and it's tempting to dive right in – but out of a dozen novel ideas, only one will be rich enough to sustain a multi-layered plot and a memorable cast of characters. There's nothing worse than getting 20,000 words into a story and wishing you hadn't started, so choose wisely. My writings are usually about something that fascinates me, something that bothers or irritates me, something that perplexes me and I want to understand. You'll be living with this book for a long time, not just during the writing process, but also during the subsequent promotion, so it must pique your interest. 

Determine why you want to tell this story because the answer will often drive the plot. 

Two writers will almost always emphasize different aspects of the same case. The serial killer John Reginald Christie is a scene-stealer in my real crime novel Death in the Air. He's frightening, cunning, and fascinating, yet he also draws the reader's attention away from the story. In actual crime stories, victims are frequently utilized as story devices; avoid this. Set yourself unique by being upfront with the reader about your ambitions. 

Wear your research with caution. 

I enjoy doing research for my works. A storyline may grow and gather pace from a kernel of truth, and Josephine Tey's life and the social history of the 1930s have proven to be so fascinating that they have taken the series in unexpected directions. My novels are frequently inspired by letters found in archives, true crime, and actual characters — from Alfred Hitchcock and M.R. James to Edwardian baby farmers and the Cambridge Rapist – but you must know when to stop and let the book breathe. Too much information can suffocate creativity, so be ruthless with your research and never allow facts stand in the way of a good tale. 

Don't let your period hold you back. 

It goes without saying that historical crime fiction should be true to the period in which it is set, but don't be hesitant to inject some contemporary elements into your work. My books are set during the interwar years, but they are not constrained in the same way that the Golden Age writers were. They aren't really inviting. The 1920s scandal that Josephine is investigating was inspired by the conspiracy-fueled death of Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones at Cotchford Farm in 1969 – not an obvious reference for period crime fiction, perhaps, but one age is often a window to another, and it's surprising how easily the 1960s mirror the 1920s: clubs and music, freedom and excess, scandal and cover-up. 

Take a stroll down the same streets as your characters. 

Spending time in the locales I'm writing about is crucial to creating a feeling of place in my books, as it generates an atmosphere that stays with me as the book goes, and provides a level of authenticity for the reader, as well as a believable physical world for my fictitious characters and mysteries. I went to the places that inspired M.R. James' ghost stories for my latest book, Nine Lessons: a remote stretch of coastline in Suffolk; a derelict Martello Tower, unchanged since Napoleon's time; and a beautiful churchyard in Hampstead, where graves of famous actors and musicians sit alongside ordinary bakers and chimney sweeps. My memories of visiting at dusk or after nightfall in late autumn/early winter (the time of year in which the book is set) are replicated in the book's murder scenes, giving the reader a genuine sense of horror and fear. Google maps and street views are useful for double-checking details, but they never remove the sounds and scents that distinguish a location, and they never indicate who is walking behind you. Make your own decision. Apart from that, it's entertaining. 

Get to know your characters as well as you do your friends. 

How well we can ever truly know someone isn't simply a question for writers – we ask it of those we love and strangers we meet every day – but it's something you should keep in mind throughout the writing process. The fun of writing a series is going on a trip with your characters, so keep that in mind as you begin to develop them and don't make decisions you'll come to regret later. A book's success or failure is determined by whether or not the reader believes in and cares about the characters, therefore they must feel as genuine to you as your friends. Even if you're writing historical fiction, as I am, don't conceive of your characters as historical figures; they live (and die) in the present with you, or they'll never be credible on the page. 

Purchasing Used Textbooks 

In the life of a student, books are quite important. Despite the fact that they learn from their professors and teachers, the books provide the essential information on the subject. Many students choose to expand their knowledge by purchasing old textbooks. What are some of the benefits of buying second hand books online? What are the advantages of using old textbooks to advance your education? The benefits of using old school books, textbooks, and college texts are discussed in this article. 

The Benefits of Buying Second Hand Textbooks 

Usedbooksfactory.com is a website that sells used books online. 

Before learning about the advantages of second hand textbooks, you must first locate the best second hand book online merchant. Usedbooksfactory is the most popular online second hand book retailer. In our online bookstore, we have used textbooks for high school students, engineering students, and applicants preparing for government competitive exams. Because the books are on sale, you can buy them with less of your own money. Usedbooksfactory is a website where you can buy used textbooks. 

Second hand textbooks that have a lower depreciation value. 

You've experienced the frustration of spending $200 on a new book only to be able to sell it for $50 if you're lucky. Once you've done reading a new book, you won't be able to reclaim any of the money. You won't have to worry about significant depreciation rates if you acquire a used second hand textbook, on the other hand. When you go to sell your second hand textbook, it will not be worth as much as when you originally purchased it, but it will be close. You'll spend less money on used textbooks if you do it this way. 

Notes are available for free in second hand textbooks. 

The majority of pupils will make notes in their textbooks. This is because the page may contain critical information or you may want to recall something from it. If you buy old second hand textbooks, you can get free notes. Second hand textbooks might provide more knowledge the more jumbled up they are. You are welcome to make your own notes in the volumes. Because it might come in use for someone else in the future. Second hand textbooks are overflowing with important questions and answers. 

The capacities of second hand textbooks are debatable. 

You can haggle with a real person over the price of a gently used second hand textbook until you get it to where you want it. With a new book, you can't do that. It must sell for a specific price in order for the maker to be satisfied. You should expect lower costs when working with genuine folks. This is especially true if you purchase the book at a time of year when most other people aren't. Getting first dibs on items like second hand textbooks can help you save a lot of money. 

Purchase second hand textbooks to save money. 

The third benefit of purchasing used textbooks is that you can resale them and get a refund. New textbooks are frequently far more expensive than used textbooks. As a result, by investing a tiny amount of your own money, you can purchase inexpensive second hand textbooks. The most prevalent reason for students to purchase old textbooks is to save money. Second hand textbooks may provide higher value for less money invested. That appears to be entertaining, particularly when your wallet is nearly empty! 

Second hand textbooks that are environmentally friendly 

When you buy second hand textbooks, you are assisting in the recycling process. You can save the lives of countless trees in addition to recycling. This is due to the fact that the paper-making process causes more trees to be cut down. Buying second hand textbooks benefits the environment by reducing landfill waste. Buying used textbooks is thus one of the smartest moves you've made. Use Usedbooksfactory to get your hands on some gently used textbooks.