This week: The Mystery Develops Edited by: Carol St.Ann  
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Henri Poincare said "To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.”
Creating a Mystery, on the other hand, demands we afford the reader elements of both.
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In this week’s newsletter I’ll highlight some of my favorite tips for writing a mystery to help you brainstorm a story full of surprise and suspense. Read through them, as you begin and jot down notes to create your mystery.
Craft an opening sentence that will capture your reader's attention. But make it authentic. Not only is your opening the backbone of your story, but it should grab the readers and make them want nothing more than to read on. This is where you win them or lose them.
In fact, consider drafting several versions of your opener. Craft it as you invent and develop the story’s tone. And then seal it with the next sentences of your opening paragraph. Try different approaches. Will it be startling? Sensual? Noir? Comedic? Historical?
Never lose sight of your direction, and always remember you may very well be back to re-write the entire beginning, so keep all your drafts. Why do I say this? Because even the best novelists and short story writers know (through experience) if your story isn’t working in the middle, the problem isn’t the middle; it’s the beginning.
Create your cast of characters, and help them come alive. My favorite way to do this is what I refer to as my “author’s-only backstory”. That is: it’s not intended to show up in the story. It’s my map, my story bible. I start with a technique I learned years ago at WDC’s own OctoPrep (linked below): Interview (or better yet, profile) your characters.
Among other things, question them on their family background, ethnicity, coloring (hair, eyes, body type), education, lifestyle, fashion sense (or the lack thereof), notice their vocabulary, accent, colloquialisms, favorite foods/snacks, quirks, habits. What is his favorite kind of music? Who is her best friend? (Does the friend figure prominently or merely as an occasional contributor?) Which characters easy or difficult to get along with? Why? Really get to know your characters before you write them. Even the contributing and peripheral characters should be well drawn out. Not only does this go toward continuity, but it introduces you, the author, to an intimate relationship with them — which leads me to my next tip—
Admit you like your characters. If you don't, they will be lacking in authenticity. Author, Diana Gabaldon, (Outlander) freely admits she likes all her characters. She even goes so far as to introduce the notion, when readers write how they despise her baddies, that every one of her dastardly villains is, in fact, her brainchild; they came from within her. In effect, she continues, they are her and she is them. Through the backstories we craft, we will have a deep understanding of why they are the way they are.
Readers want to immerse; they want to walk in the characters’ shoes. Reading characters in whom they see themselves allows for this.
Showing characters’ appearance, behaviors, rhythm, and wherewithal will be second nature because you will, at this point, know them so well. You won’t need to tell the reader these things, it will all be revealed through action, movement, and especially dialogue. In mystery writing, every word is (or leads the reader to) significant information. For example, an elder doesn't talk like a teenager unless there is a reason. In that case it will be useful information or lead it to a significant revelation. The dialogue must fit the character and the story.
Well-rounded cast and characters have distinctive expressions, speech patterns, and cadence that combine with the mood and rhythm to fully develop suspense and call for an emotional response such as anxiety, excitement, or fear. A character who is enigmatic, who seems strange or peculiar or whose intentions are unknown will make the story more suspenseful. Why not add to the suspense by crafting a mysterious setting. (A dark and stormy night  , a lone highway, an abandoned airport.)
When you’re confident your characters are ready, give them the opportunity to throw your readers a curve; pepper in a red herring that will force the readers to second guess themselves.
Then show the readers some respect by letting them know something the characters haven't found out yet. Reveal a clue in plain sight that the main character overlooks, but savvy readers will see. They’ll love you for it!
As always, thank you for sharing some of your time and allowing me to share my interest in writing with you! I do hope this is helpful. Until next time,
Carol |
If you’ve got a mystery in your head:
Try out your mystery chops here:
Draw it out here:
Workshop it here with in-depth, dedicated reviews:
In the meantime, enjoy these two great short stories:
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Mystery: May 18, 2022 Issue [#11366]
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