\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/1164-.html
Mystery: July 26, 2006 Issue [#1164]

Newsletter Header
Mystery


 This week:
  Edited by: schipperke
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

As one of your four mystery newsletter editors, my goal with my newsletter is to present excellent mystery writing from our own authors on Writing.Com, and to help you write a better mystery.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Letter from the editor

Mystery readers love to exercise. Exercise their minds, that is!

A great mystery should challenge readers and make them think. Readers want to figure out the mystery along with the detective and not be able to figure out the mystery by page two. In order to do this, the writer needs to include a literary device called a red herring.

What is a red herring?

A red herring is a dried, smoked herring that looks red from the curing process.

Why should a mystery writer stick kipper snacks into their plot line?

From the information I could find on the original of the phrase, it seems some kind-hearted folks would try to save a hunted fox by dragging a red herring across the path of a fleeing fox, confusing the hound dogs and leading them away from the little red fellow. Another mention of red herrings comes from a poem written in the 1680's, around the same time as the first written mention of the fox hunting reference. Wikipedia

Like the hounds who are thrown off the trail in pursuit of a smoked fish instead of a live fox (the fish probably tastes better anyway), a red herring is a clue meant to confuse readers and make them take the wrong path away from the truth and the solution to the case.

For example; my detective knows his quarry strolled out of a Super Shoe store at six o’clock on the night in question. The store clerk said she left wearing her new shoes. The pavement in front of the store was freshly cemented and the suspect left shoe prints in the wet cement. The detective thinks the size 6 shoe print with the distinctive outline of the newest Stuart Wietzman Empire boot is the suspect's and asks the shoe saleswoman for a printout of all the women who bought that boot that day.

However, the detective didn’t realize the suspect would NEVER wear a new pair of three hundred dollars boots on wet cement, and had walked out wearing the second pair of shoes she bought; a pair of Keds tennis shoes! The boots are a red herring.

Red herrings are an essential part of your mystery plotline. Use them judiciously to baffle your readers and keep them interested!


Editor's Picks

schipperke's Picks of the Week


*Reading*
 
Image Protector
STATIC
6.15 Open in new Window. (13+)
He loved that car so very much...
#1133909 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

*Reading*
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#316553 by Not Available.

*Reading*
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#756242 by Not Available.

*Reading*
Burned Open in new Window. (13+)
She was hot on the trail of the arsonsist, but was she getting too close....?
#678732 by Scott Joseph Author IconMail Icon

*Reading*
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1130955 by Not Available.

*Reading*
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1133418 by Not Available.


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

schipperke's Reader Feedback


*Cry**Worry* NO feedback from last month's newsletter.

This week's question: Do you have a new favorite mystery author? What mysteries are you reading this summer?


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/1164-.html