 Mystery: April 12, 2023 Issue [#11901] |
This week: Dynamic Storytelling with In Media Res Edited by: Jayngle Bells  
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Mystery readers are a dynamic audience with a passion for the genre and an enthusiasm for sharing it with others. With its puzzles, twists, and suspenseful plotlines, the mystery audience quickly becomes attached to new authors and works, but not always new trends or upheavals in their favorite formats. When shaking things up, it’s important to keep the narrative clear, especially when presenting the information in an unfamiliar or out-of-order way.
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In Media Res is Latin for "in the middle of things," and can be a powerful literary device when used effectively. With this writing choice, your narrative begins in the middle of a story, often at a crucial moment or during an action-packed scene. The technique is not an easy one to master, and it can quickly become a jumbled experience that is difficult for the reader to follow. However, by reading authors who have successfully used it and ensuring you have sufficient practice, you can give your readers an engaging and suspenseful experience from the very first page.
Key Concepts of In Media Res
The key to In Media Res is truly starting in the middle, without providing much, if any, exposition or background information. Aside from this, different elements of writing In Media Res and how they are applied affect more than how you write the story. What you use, and how you assemble it, will greatly impact your reader's experience.
Common elements to In Media Res include:
Establishing Intrigue and Suspense (Obviously)
One of the primary reasons for using In Media Res in mystery fiction is to immediately establish a sense of intrigue and suspense. By dropping readers into the middle of the action, they are instantly hooked and eager to unravel the complex web of events that led to this pivotal moment.
For instance, in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, the story begins with the protagonist in a serious, unexplainable situation and sets the stage for his involvement in a decades-old event.
Unraveling the Mystery Through Flashbacks and Dialogue
In Media Res narratives often employ flashbacks and dialogue to provide context and background information about the characters and events leading up to the story's starting point. By gradually revealing the backstory, authors can maintain a sense of suspense while slowly piecing together the puzzle. This can help prevent the dreaded “infodump”, because there’s plenty of space to work in historical events without having to tell them in detail all at once or awkwardly shoehorning them in.
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn begins with a disappearance on a particularly important day and then presents the reader with the historic narrative of one character and the present narrative of another. By playing the two off each other, it forces the reader to make judgments about the characters’ motives and reliability throughout, adding an extra layer of complexity to the mystery.
Creating a Non-Linear Narrative Structure
Mystery fiction that employs In Media Res often utilizes a non-linear narrative structure. This approach keeps readers on their toes, making them work to piece together the story's timeline while uncovering the mystery.
Dennis Lehane's "Shutter Island" is a prime example of this technique. Though the story begins with our protagonist arriving on Shutter Island to investigate a disappearance, the series of flashbacks unveils the true importance of the setting.
Enhancing Character Development
In Media Res can also be an effective tool for character development in mystery fiction. By starting the story during a crucial event or at a low point in a character's life, the author can emphasize the protagonist's growth and transformation as they overcome obstacles and unravel the mystery.
In Tana French's "In the Woods," French allows the reader to observe the lead character’s personal journey as he confronts his past and unravels the mystery of two cases.
Reinforcing Themes and Motifs
Using In Media Res in mystery fiction can also help to reinforce key themes and motifs within the story. By opening the narrative at a pivotal moment, you can introduce these themes early on and use the ensuing events to further sharpen the underlying rationale for the chosen elements.
For example, Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" opens with the murder of the central character. By starting the story In Media Res, Christie introduces the concepts of justice and morality, which are underlined by detective Poirot’s behavior and observations throughout the story and neatly wrapped up with the ending.
Third-Person Limited Point of View
Mystery In Media Res is often written in the third-person limited point of view (POV). This POV allows the author to provide a sense of immediacy and urgency while also maintaining a level of objectivity. It provides a more complete view of the narrative, as the reader sees multiple perspectives, but whether these perspectives are reliable is not always a given.
First-person POV is also used in In Media Res, although less frequently. While this POV allows the reader to experience the action as if they are part of it, it can also limit the reader's view of the narrative since they are confined to the narrator's perspective. Lacking critical information from other sources can frustrate some readers.
It Can Be a Little Controversial, Even Though it’s Effective
Since In Media Res requires the reader to jump into the middle of the action without much background information, some readers may find it disorienting or confusing. Others may enjoy the challenge and thrill of trying to piece together the narrative. It's up to you to decide which audience you're targeting - and then make sure you're achieving that goal as you put your story together.
Overall, In Media Res requires careful plotting, as it is easy to fall into disjointed or confusing narratives that may turn readers off. Still, it is a writing technique worth practicing, as it can be a highly effective way to engage your audience, push your narrative forward, and create a satisfying mystery for your readers.
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