There is a famous Ian Fleming article called: How To Write a Thriller which the master published in 1962. It's here:
http://www.jamesbondwiki.com/page/Ian+Fleming%27s+Essays
This is not, of course, "noir" but it is both informative, instructive and amusing. If you really follow Fleming's suggestions, you can write a thriller in about 6 weeks. It helps if you have an independent income, live in Jamaica, and have famous friends who can bring their groupies to dinner at your house.
Patrick King
--- On Tue, 3/3/09, Don Lee <donthepoet@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Don Lee <donthepoet@yahoo.com>
Subject: RARA-AVIS: how to write noir
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:48 AM
Has anyone written a really good piece/book/etc. on how to write noir? I have been a how-to-write- X junkie my whole life and am trying to think of anything specifically like that. I guess Chandler's famous essay would count, "down these mean streets" etc., though I seem to remember that's more about the P.I. tale than noir per se.
Just curious for feedback.
Don
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