Murder for Beginners: From Story to Screenplay

Ahmed Mourad transforms his book from a mere writing guide into a practical manual for the writing profession in general. He explains that success doesn’t only depend on writing talent, but also on understanding the rules of the industry and marketing.

Ahmed Mourad’s book, “Murder for Beginners,” doesn’t stop at offering the secrets of writing crime literature; it expands to include a closely related parallel world: screenwriting. Mourad dedicates entire chapters to this aspect, drawing on his experience as a screenwriter for a number of successful films such as “The Blue Elephant” and “The Originals.”

Story vs. Screenplay: A Difference in Essence and Technique

Mourad clarifies that screenwriting differs fundamentally from novel writing. While the novel gives the writer wide space to express ideas and emotions through narration, the screenplay imposes specific constraints. He considers the screenplay to be “the art of writing for the image.” The writer must think of every scene as a moving picture and describe actions and dialogue directly without delving into the characters’ internal thoughts.

Mourad offers practical advice for screenwriting, such as:

• “The screenplay is written for the director and the actor, not for the reader”: It must be clear and direct, focusing on what can be filmed on screen.

• “Avoid long narration”: The reader must be moved quickly from one scene to the next, relying on short and impactful dialogue.

• “Writing the Scene”: Mourad elaborates on how to write a scene, starting with defining its location (interior/exterior) and time (day/night), moving through the description of characters, and ending with the dialogue.

How to Pitch Scripts to Production Companies

Mourad addresses a practical and vital aspect that faces every ambitious screenwriter: how to submit a screenplay to production companies. He offers advice based on his market experience, which helps increase the chances of the work being accepted.

• Avoid Common Mistakes: Mourad warns against sending an unedited or incomplete screenplay. He stresses that the first impression is very important and that any mistake in execution or style can lead to immediate rejection of the work.

• Prepare a “Logline”: Mourad emphasizes the importance of writing a short and attractive summary of the screenplay. The logline should be one or two sentences and summarize the work’s idea in a compelling way.

• Prepare a “Treatment”: Mourad advises the necessity of preparing a “full story” (Treatment) for the screenplay, which is a detailed summary of the story from beginning to end, mentioning the main characters and events.

• “Pitching” to the Producer: Mourad explains that contacting production companies is not easy, but he offers tips to increase communication chances. He stresses that the writer must be prepared to explain their idea convincingly and be aware of the market and its demands.

Summary of the First Part of the Article: From Idea to Production

With these chapters, Ahmed Mourad transforms his book from a mere writing guide into a practical manual for the writing profession in general. He explains that success doesn’t only depend on writing talent, but also on understanding the rules of the industry and marketing. This aspect of the book is considered a frank and useful revelation for everyone who dreams of seeing their story on the big screen.

Crime Literature: Dissecting the Novel Writing Style

In addition to the above, “Murder for Beginners” is not a crime novel, but a detailed and elaborate guide presented by the famous Egyptian novelist Ahmed Mourad to introduce the reader to the behind-the-scenes of writing crime literature. This book is considered an advanced workshop, in which Mourad opens up the secrets of the profession and reveals the techniques he uses in building his thrilling narrative worlds. Through this work, the reader doesn’t just learn how to write about crime; they also realize the extent of the effort, research, and genius that go into crafting a detective novel.

Not Just a Crime: But a Complex Science

Ahmed Mourad presents a fundamental idea in his book: that crime in literature is not just an event, but a science with its own rules and foundations. Mourad rejects the idea that crime literature relies only on excitement or surprise, but asserts that it is built upon a precise engineering of events and characters. The book dissects the creative process into its basic elements:

• Evidence: Mourad explains that evidence is the “currency” of the crime. He clarifies how to place misleading and obvious clues, and how to use them to push the reader toward false conclusions before the truth is revealed.

• Characters: Mourad dedicates a large section to discussing the importance of building complex characters, not just the killer and the victim, but also the investigator and witnesses. He believes that every character has their secret motivations and secrets, which is what makes them convincing and credible.

• Temporal Structure: Mourad explains how time can be manipulated in the novel to create a state of suspense, whether through the use of “flashbacks” or fragmented narration, which is clearly evident in his novels like “The Blue Elephant.”

“The Archive”: The Writer’s Treasure

The book highlights the importance of the writer’s “archive.” Mourad describes how ideas don’t come from a vacuum, but from a continuous compilation of information, stories, and details from reality. He encourages the writer to record everything they see, hear, and read, because it might one day become part of a story. This idea confirms that good writing is not just imagination, but a blend of imagination and reality.

Why Read This Book?

• For Aspiring Writers: If you are interested in writing a crime novel, this book is an indispensable practical guide. It gives you the tools you need to create a strong plot, convincing characters, and tight puzzles.

• For Crime Literature Readers: This book changes the way you read. You will discover the methods your favorite writers use to confuse and intrigue you. You will become a more conscious reader, more capable of understanding literary works.

• To Understand Ahmed Mourad’s Mind: If you are a fan of Ahmed Mourad’s novels, this book is a rare opportunity to understand how these novels are crafted. It reveals the efforts put into research, planning, and drafting, which increases your appreciation for his works.

In summary, “Murder for Beginners” is a book that proves that crime literature is not just a story about crime, but a complex work of art that requires skill and study. It is a guide that inspires, teaches, and changes the reader’s view of literature.