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Writing and Publishing Courses


MYSTERY WRITING
What makes a mystery?

If you consider the books you've read most recently, you may be surprised to discover that many--if not all--are mysteries. From Dan Brown to Dennis Lehane, mysteries are hot items on today's best-seller lists.

This course will teach you the techniques you need to know if you want to become a best-selling mystery author.

Mystery Writing begins by introducing the four story types and then explains how they relate to mysteries. It then reveals the three-act story structure, which is any story's key to success. Next, it shows you how to propel the action forward to a climax, followed by a catharsis in which your readers feel the release of tension that accompanies a great finish.

The difference between story and plot is one of the most important distinctions in fiction writing--and one that many professional authors don't fully understand. But you will have mastered it by the end of this course. You'll also get a chance to experiment with viewpoints and see which one works best for your mystery. And you'll write a complete scene from your story and learn the internal structure that makes every scene feel right.

Finally, you'll delve into the special techniques that apply to mysteries, including crime scene description, MacGuffins, and the use of red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense.

Examples from real mystery novels will show these techniques in action. Then, following each lesson, you'll get to practice on your own story. And when you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in a dynamic, interactive discussion area.

This information-packed online course combines the best advice of many writing professionals, tempered with the instructor's own experiences as a mystery writer. Follow the guidelines taught in this course, and you'll be well on your way to writing a successful mystery of your very own!

REQUIREMENTS:

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) offers eight-week online courses that provide education and training in a variety of occupational areas! The courses are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field who work to provide you with an effective web-based learning experience. Prior to your course start date, you will receive a reminder e-mail that includes instructions on how to access the classroom website. Courses are hosted on ed2go's learning management system (LMS). Each program includes a set of lessons/modules and evaluations.

PRE-REQUISITES:

INSTRUCTOR: Ed2Go

Start Date
Day(s)
Time(s)
Location(s)
Price
Select Class
December 18, 2024 $70.00
January 15, 2025 $70.00
February 12, 2025 $70.00
March 12, 2025 $70.00
April 16, 2025 $70.00
May 14, 2025 $70.00

Refund & Enrollment Policy

 

Refund Policy

The refund policy for Fayetteville Technical Community College's Continuing Education Division was established by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges, Raleigh on October 15, 1993. The full refund policy is listed in the NC Administrative Code 23NCAC.2D.0203 (d) Brief Statement of Policy:

  1. A pre-registered extension student who officially withdraws from an extension class(es) prior to the first meeting of the class (should be 24 hours prior) will be eligible for a 100-percent refund by completing an official request form.
  2. The refund will be 75 percent if requested prior to the 10-percent date of the class(es) meeting.
  3. No refunds will be given after 10-percent of class meetings.

Enrollment Policy

Deadline for registration is 5:00 P.M. (EST) Wednesday, a week before the course begins.

*Please Note*

  1. To be officially enrolled in a course, students MUST log on and complete Quiz 1 by the first Friday of a course.
  2. To receive a passing grade for the course, students MUST complete 9 out of 12 quizzes and pass the final exam with a grade of a 70 or better. Failure to meet both requirements will result in a grade of "U" or unsatisfactory.

Accessing your course classroom:

  1. Please visit www.ed2go.com/ftcc.
  2. Double-check your receipt to make sure that you choose the correct course title and date!
  3. Once the home page pulls up, please type the course name into the “Search Catalog” bar at the top of the screen and press enter.
  4. When the course description pulls up, please click the red “Add to Cart” button.
  5. Choose your course date from the listing of dates in the "Session Date" drop down menu, and select the “Continue to Checkout” button.
  6. On the next page, if you are a returning student, please enter your e-mail address and password in the appropriate fields. At that point, continue through the steps until you reach the "Checkout" page.
  7. If you have never taken an Ed2Go course before, please create a username and password by clicking the link for new students. After creating your username and password, continue through the steps until you reach the "Checkout" page.
  8. Please click the "Checkout" button.
  9. After clicking the "Checkout" button, you will be taken to a page where you will read through the registration and payment information.
  10. If you have already registered and paid your registration fee on the Learn FTCC website, you will not need to make a payment for your course. At that time, please click on the "Enter My Classroom" button.
  11. If you have not registered and paid your registration fee on the Learn FTCC website, you will be directed to the Learn FTCC website to register and pay your registration fee. Afterwards, please click on the "Enter My Classroom" button.
  12. On the next page, please click the "Orientation" button on the next page and complete it.
  13. Write down your username and password in a safe location!
  14. On the start date of your course, you will return to the www.ed2go.com/ftcc home page, and click on the “Classroom” link to access your course or courses.

 

Computer Requirements

Internet access
Email
One of the following browsers: 

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Internet Explorer (9.0 or above) 

Google Chrome

Safari

Microsoft Word
Adobe PDF  plug-in (a free download obtained at Adobe.com .)