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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11235-Cozy-up-to-a-Fur-Baby-with-a-Cozie.html
Mystery: March 02, 2022 Issue [#11235]




 This week: Cozy up to a Fur Baby with a Cozie
  Edited by: Nixie🦊 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

Greetings, fellow writers. I'm here as your guest editor who is excited to explore a sub-genre of mystery known as a cozy, or cozie. There are twelve or more recognized mystery sub-genres. What makes a cozy a cozy? The word itself creates a feeling of intimacy. And intimacy prompts . . . read on.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Cozy Mystery elements


First, know your crime and your sleuth. In a cozy mystery, the sleuth is usually an amateur. The plot takes place in a simple community-oriented town. I think of these plots as 'closed containers.' In a neighborhood setting the author will suffer no lack of details. As for the characters? Color their personalities unique to avoid 'he/she said'.

Cozies are 'soft-boiled' stories rather than 'hard-boiled' stories. That means little or no violence. The Who-dun-it? The culprit is most likely one of the townies hiding in plain sight.

POV
When writing in the first person POV, the protagonist needs someone to communicate with. Otherwise, you'll lose your reader in the Terrible Tower of Telling. My daughter is a Circular. (Yes, totally made that up.) Over and over, she repeats her thoughts, until a resolution reveals itself. BTW, I'm the listener. What if your private investigator is reticent?

Add in an unexpected second protagonist. Your cuddly.

When I think of adding an animal to the plot a downy-furred pet leaps to mind. Unless you're the type who likes a Python curled around your neck.

*"If your sleuth is devoted to their fur-baby, readers will be inclined to like the protagonist."


Since your pet can't actually 'talk', evince her actions. (Her plaintive meow told me she disagreed.) Another work around is 'her eyes widened, as if to say. . . .

Toss in the twists! Keep your reader guessing.

*Cat2*
Cats and their twisted tails tales *Smirk*
Many consider cats to be crafty or mean. Not my cat! She likes me and trusts only one other person. (Conditionally.) *Laugh* Perchance a finicky cat misleads the sleuth? Yes, I'm talking about misdirection. What if a cantankerous cat sidles up to the murderer?

*Dog2*
Wagging tails *Rolleyes*
Okay, so I hear you banshees howling for want of a dog. Consider this. Your dog snuffles around in the neighbor's garden and uncovers a button that the sleuth traces back to the criminal. Misdirection, or a clue?

*Pthb* *Cat* *Dog2*
Not partial to sleuthing animals? Or owning one? Your neighbor's cat/dog actions enrich the plot. Envision funny antics. Weave your cuddly into the plot. A bookstore near me has a resident cat. She's as much a part of the store as the books.

*I read that quote somewhere in my investigation of the genre. Where I found it eludes me.

No need to write a cozie. Any animal in any genre can be an effective addition.

** Image ID #2077901 Unavailable **


Editor's Picks

Finding picks that specifically fit my Cozy theme with an animal proved to be difficult. I've chosen a few with animal aspects.

Can you fool Arakun the twisted raccoon by entering her contest?
FORUM
Twisted Tales Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A monthly contest for stories with a twist. Get 500 GPs for entering! Nov round open!
#1269187 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon


Mystery
FORUM
Twisted Tales Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A monthly contest for stories with a twist. Get 500 GPs for entering! Nov round open!
#1269187 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon


In this non-mystery story, the author demonstrates how a dog's actions 'speak.'
STATIC
Paw Prints on my Heart Open in new Window. (E)
There have been few times in my life when I have been so utterly deliriously happy as then
#2267432 by deemac Author IconMail Icon


How I yearn to have little Floss beside me once again to prick up his ears as I say it, to wag that crazy, uncontrollable tail of his and sprint away with me for another carefree, breathless, bouncing run together through those never-ever-ending fields of our youth.

Notice the way the author showed the animal 'speaking'.
STATIC
The Confession Open in new Window. (E)
I know he did it ... now to prove it.
#2256505 by L_P Author IconMail Icon

"You can’t prove anything,” his obstinacy seems to say.

A cat detective
STATIC
Look who's stalking? Open in new Window. (E)
A cat muse-iion of impossible
#2124255 by Samberine Everose Author IconMail Icon

Then as I look again to that mysterious man, I've spotted the gun in his waist when he is walking upstairs following attorney Rodriguez.

 
STATIC
Amber's Strange Encounter Open in new Window. (E)
A hi-profile case takes a turn for the worse for Amber and best friend, Belle.
#2188718 by Jeannie Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Do you have a mystery story that has an animal as a main character?

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