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Mystery: January 24, 2024 Issue [#12378]




 This week: What’s my motivation?
  Edited by: Carol St.Ann 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

We’ve all heard the cliche method-actor’s line, “What’s my motivation?” But it’s no joke, especially when developing a character worth his or her salt.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor


Have you ever had your villain fall flat on his or her face?
Has anyone told you your villain lacked passion or logic?
Has anyone ever complained that your villain’s reasoning doesn’t make sense?

Let’s get to it.

Before you can create a mystery, you must know the why.

I don’t know how you develop your villain and his or her reason for doing the things they do, but I write a full blown detailed backstory for my villains. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t create a novel, detailing my villain’s childhood or high school years or whatever, but I do create, at the very least, a bullet list of what things happened to this individual that gave rise to the ability to commit whatever dastardly deed incited the story. To create the monster he or she became. Or to create the justification he or she holds true.

Investing the time and effort at crafting this has made a profound difference for me, and I suggest it as a method for anyone who might be stuck with characters who are somewhat flat.

Start with something simple within the character’s personal history and let it flow toward the trauma or injury that turned him or her into someone capable of the thing or things they now have done and do.

When writing your story, now that you know your villain so well, the actions, movements, tics, spoken words will develop organically into a full bodied believable character who will keep your readers enthralled.

Happy writing until we meet again!
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One Last Thing!
Remember to nominate great mysteries and great mystery contests and how-tos!
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Quill Nomination Form 2024 Open in new Window. (E)
Nominate someone for a Quill!
#2145930 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon









Editor's Picks


If you’ve got a mystery in your head:

Try out your mystery chops here:
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This item number is not valid.
#2281662 by Not Available.


Flesh out your mystery story here:
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October Novel Prep Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore.
#1474311 by Brandiwyn🎶 Author IconMail Icon


A Few Good Reads:
The Flat Mate Open in new Window. (13+)
Be careful who you share your living quarters with.
#2311572 by Sumojo Author IconMail Icon

 The Box Open in new Window. (18+)
A piece of flash fiction
#2269209 by Benjamin Black Author IconMail Icon

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Poor Tom Open in new Window. (ASR)
There's nothing in the dark that isn't there in the light, or is there?
#2256759 by Words Whirling 'Round Author IconMail Icon

 
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The Cabin Open in new Window. (18+)
Contest entry. A little horror tale about love, hate, and imagination.
#2229090 by D. Reed Whittaker Author IconMail Icon

 Bud's Diner Open in new Window. (13+)
Just an enchanted spot in the road, at least on occasion.
#2307126 by Hugh Wesley Author IconMail Icon

 The Last Miracle Open in new Window. (ASR)
A washed-up stage magician has a chance to inspire a miracle.
#2279575 by Graham B. Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

How much attention do you give your characters’ backstories?

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