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Mystery: August 25, 2021 Issue [#10947]




 This week: The bad guys
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Quote for the week:
"If you don't have a villain, the good guy can stay home."

~Christoph Waltz


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

In many ways, the villain is the most important character in a mystery story. If the villain did not commit a crime, there would be no story.

Development of all characters is important, but if you don't develop the villain carefully, the story will fall flat.

In the beginning, the villain will be just one of several suspects. The true villain should be questionable in some way, but should not stand out so much that the reader will suspect them right away. Depending on the story, there may be a difference between the detective's suspects and the reader's suspects. While the detective might not suspect the overly helpful neighbor or friend, this person will be among the reader's suspects. If that character is the actual villain, give them a subtle hint of guilt so the reader will have a chance (even if it is a very small chance) of guessing the solution.

In absence of clear evidence that it is someone else, detectives will suspect the spouse, close family members, business partners, or other close associates until these characters can be cleared. If your villain is one of those characters, make sure their initial alibi can stand up to close scrutiny from the detectives as well as the readers.

Make sure you give your villain a realistic motive for the crime. All suspects should have a believable motive, but it is especially important for the villain. I have read some stories in which the motive for the crime was very weak. It almost seemed that the author had not thought of a motive before writing the story. Even if the villain is insane, the motive should make sense in light of their twisted logic.

Some writers start writing a story without a clear idea of the villain's identity. Occasionally, a story takes a different direction than you planned, and you might decide to make a different character guilty. You can write a good story this way, but you need to go back and make sure there are no plot holes that will make the conclusion impossible.

Something to try: If you have a mystery story that is not working well, consider changing the villain's personality or motives.


Editor's Picks

What It Look Like? Open in new Window. (18+)
The realities of a life of crime is revealed to someone
#2248858 by Daisan Author IconMail Icon


Take Your Son to Work Open in new Window. (E)
A Bank Robber takes his son to work with him. My first attempt at dialogue
#1682649 by BIG BAD WOLF Feeling Thankful Author IconMail Icon


Death Wink Open in new Window. (13+)
First prize in two contests. A gambler encounters his addiction's end in a deadly game.
#1018243 by Kotaro Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1261888 by Not Available.


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Watching Always Open in new Window. (13+)
Some say I'm crazy, just a little touched -
#2234521 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

 
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