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“Is ghosting really the new norm, or can we bring back breakup texts?”

“How do you keep the spark alive in a long-distance relationship with different time zones?”

“In a sea of dating apps, how do you know when you’ve found ‘the one’?”

“What are the new rules for defining the relationship in a world where labels feel so 2010?”

Exercise: Developing Your Cozy Mystery Villain

Step 1: Character Sketch

Begin by writing a brief character sketch of your villain, including basic details such as their name, age, occupation, and role in the community. How do they present themselves to the world? What facade do they maintain?

Step 2: Motivation and Goals

Write a paragraph detailing your villain’s primary motivation. What drives them to commit the crime(s) in your story? Consider motivations that are relatable or understandable, even if the reader doesn’t agree with their actions. This could include fear, desire for protection, a sense of injustice, or a desperate need.

Next, outline their specific goals. What do they hope to achieve through their actions? How do they justify their actions to themselves?

Step 3: Relationship Dynamics

Create a list of relationships your villain has with other key characters in your story, including the protagonist, potential victims, and allies. For each relationship, note the public perception versus the reality of their interaction. How do these dynamics mask or reveal the villain’s true nature?

Step 4: The Turning Point

Describe a pivotal moment in the villain’s past that set them on their current path. This could be a backstory event that deeply affected their choices and motivations. How does this event influence their actions in the mystery?

Step 5: Flaws and Vulnerabilities

Identify at least two significant flaws or vulnerabilities in your villain’s character. How do these weaknesses contribute to their downfall or lead to their unmasking? Consider how these aspects can be woven into the plot to provide clues for the protagonist and the reader. By the way, human villains with recognizable motivations and flaws are far more interesting—and frightening—than cartoon bad guys.

Step 6: A Moment of Sympathy

Craft a scene or a monologue in which the villain elicits sympathy from the reader. Show a side of them that is human, vulnerable, or regretful. This can add complexity to their character and make the conflict more emotionally engaging.

Step 7: The Reveal

Plan the reveal scene where the villain’s true identity and motives come to light. How is the reveal executed? Consider the setting, the characters present, and the reaction of both the protagonist and the community. How does the villain react to being caught?

Step 8: Reflection and Integration

Reflect on how the villain’s actions and motivations are integrated into the larger narrative. How do they influence the development of the protagonist and the community? Write a brief outline of how the villain’s presence weaves through the mystery, affecting the plot and the growth of other characters.

By completing this exercise, you’ll develop a villain who is not just a foil for the protagonist but a fully realized character in their own right, whose actions and motivations drive the story forward and add depth to your cozy mystery.

Exercise: Creating the Perfect Romantic Foil

Creating the perfect romantic foil for your cozy mystery protagonist involves crafting a character who complements and challenges your protagonist in equal measure.

Objective:This writing exercise will guide you through developing a romantic interest whose relationship with the protagonist evolves, with all the requisite bumps and growth, over the course of your series.

Step 1: Character Foundation

Begin with a basic profile of your romantic foil. Include physical descriptions, occupation, hobbies, and any quirks that make them unique. How do these elements contrast with or complement your protagonist’s characteristics?

Step 2: Initial Attraction

Write a scene or a series of interactions that spark the initial attraction between your protagonist and the romantic foil. Consider what draws them to each other. Is it physical attraction, a shared sense of humor, intellectual compatibility, or something unexpected?