  Mystery
This week: Edited by: Tehanu  
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There is something precious in our being mysteries to ourselves, in our being unable ever to see through even the person who is closest to our heart and to reckon with him as though he were a logical proposition or a problem in accounting.
- Rudolf Bultmann
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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I am often inspired by quotes. In perusing the Internet for mystery quotes, I found something that seemed to answer one of my newsletter questions from last week:
Some mystery should be left in the revelation of character in a play, just as a great deal of mystery is always left in the revelation of character in life, even in one's own character to himself. - Tennessee Williams
I feel this is true. First, I believe some mystery should be left at the end of the story, especially if you're interested in making your readers think. Just think...leaving a question unanswered leaves room for a sequel.  Seriously, though - I desire a solution to the main mystery - I want proof that my theory was correct! - but I enjoy being left wondering about some miniscule hole in the subplot.
Second, there is a lot of mystery in "real life." Can you truly define yourself and know how you'll react in any sort of situation? I doubt everyone could truthfully answer that with a "yes." Another difficult question - how well do you really know your best friend, family member, neighbor? Most people who know serial killers are astonished when they find out their friend/neighbor/family member's proclivity to kill. Suicide often comes as a surprise to people...it is usually only after the act that those left behind see the signs leading to destruction. And don't underestimate the kindness of strangers. How unbelievable is it that those who win millions in the lottery sometimes anonymously donate the ticket to a charity or give most of the winnings to a worthy cause? (My neighbor keeps telling me that if he wins millions, he's going to share with half the apartment building. I'm looking forward to that day! =)
Third, art mimics life, or it should if you want your story to be believable. Of course that doesn't mean you cannot set it on a fictitious planet and populate the story with aliens. But it does mean that you should make your aliens and their planet understandable to your readers. The inhibitants should probably have some human qualities, but they can be secretive or unusual as well.
A seasoning of mystery is what makes a story compelling. Especially for us mystery fanatics!  When writing or reading your next mystery, consider what makes it so mysterious and whether or not the story is "realistic" or attuned to unusual occurances in your own experience.
 If you are interested in others' take on how much mystery should be left at the end of a story, check out the "Ask and Answer" section below.
Until next time, I'll leave you with one of my favorite "mystery" quotes:
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. - Douglas Adams |
 Check these out!
Talk about mysterious...did you know there is a "plan your epitaph" day? Go ahead - celebrate it!
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Last newsletter I brought up the distressing mystery surrounding missing socks. Oh yes my friendly readers, there is a "lost sock memorial" day as well. 
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It's not finished, but it's mysterious and has some lovely quotes:
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Not just the lyrics to an OMC song:
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Are they birds? Planes? Weather balloons? Or simply...
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Thanks for all the comments on last week's series of questions:
Now I wonder...what is it that mystifies YOU?
What sort of mysteries do you like to read and/or write? And do you like mysteries that leave you hanging, that leave open the door to possibilities, or do you like a solid, scientific ending that reaffirms your belief that all mysteries have valid explanations?
fleckgirl:
Tehanu,
I like the psychological kind of mysteries - Dean Koontz is one of my favorites when he couples the mystery with suspense and you usually get a great twist at the end that you can never anticipate - Love that! Although medical mysteries, like Kathy Reichs "Bones" series holds my interest too. I love to try & figure it out as I'm reading and find out if I'm right, or not even close!
Fleck Girl
I agree; I like finding out that I am right at the end of a good mystery. 
Little Scribbler :
I'd have to say that I like mysteries with hard solid evidence at the end of the story.
Interesting - I wonder what you consider hard evidence? Scientific reasonings? Witnesses? Video of the crime?
nomlet  :
I like at least a little mystery in anything I read or watch on tv or see in a theatre. Mysterious = Interesting, it's as simple as that. The thing about mysteries is, after you build up suspense and raise a bunch of burning questions, you better follow through with a climactic revelation. So I will say my favorite mysteries are those that come paired with a satisfying resolution. At least for me, it's the anticipation of some sort of understanding that makes a mystery so compelling in the first place.
By the way, I finally stumbled on the mysterious name "Tehanu" at my local bookstore last week. I've read the author, but never that book.
I like your reasoning. Oh - you've found me out, eh? Nice detective work. 
Breezy-E ~ In College :
Mysteries are great to spice up almost any story! I love a good fantasy book, add some well-handled mystery, and you've got a good book!
Breezy-E
I agree; a hint of mystery definitely keeps me reading when it comes to picking up a different genre.
GhostDragon :
Personally I have only read one mystery book (for school). Although there is one television show that is surrounded by mysteries that has me very intrested in it. So I guess the type of mystery that I would probably like is one a big mystery and one that does not neccesarily have a scientific esplanation.
Hey, so what mysterious show IS it that you like?
~* Moon Beam *~ :
Tehanu,
I must say a good true ghost story amazes me the most. I'm a big fan of the TV show "Ghost Hunters". Great show! I like to read true mysteries of the unexplained. You never know if that shadow you saw out of the corner of your eye was just your imagination or something else. Do you ever wander why things are moved from one place to another and you know for sure that you did not put it there? Do you ever wander where things come from, that have been missing for several days and they appear in plain sight? I know I do. I must say I agree with you. A mystery is wandering why the hair stands up on the nape of your neck and a cold chill creeps past you. ~
I've seen "Ghost Hunters" and I agree that it is a rather compelling show. Now, if only they could solve the mystery of all those lost socks...
ftrinta:
Hi Tehanu
Your newsletter this week made me think about the time I've read "Horror in Amytville". I was so blood scared by that book that I saw also that red eyes everywhere!!!
Cheers,
Nanda
Thanks for sharing! Do you know, I've never read that, nor seen the movie version. It sounds nice and creepy - I should check it out. But...maybe because of the results you've shared...well, I may not look at my closet slats for a week or so after.
abdurrahman:
What do people like more? Mystery or love stories?
Hmm, I wonder why you have asked? I think you should make this into a poll. If you do, let me know and I will link it to my next newsletter.
diana :
I enjoyed your newsletter this week. I think the greater mysteries are the ones that leave the door open. Leaving it to science can be subjective, often due to their fears of things that go 'bump' in the night.
As for your ghosts, those will always be a mystery. We have one that haunts our building. Her name is Rose. (It use to be a nursing home.) And she is a practical joker at times; things disappearing out of the office, or the rooms. Sometimes, you can hear her play the piano in the visiting area at night, although I have yet to hear it, I did manage to see her in a photo that was taken in our hallway. That was an errie feeling to say the least!
Mmmm, mysterious! I always wanted to see a ghost when I was a kid. Of course, if I had, I'd've probably been scared witless. But it's fun to think that ghosts exist - that some image of humanity can be imprinted in darkened hallways and solemn graveyards.
alivia:
In most cases, I prefer grounded, scientific explanations for mysteries. Sometimes it's alright if the reader is left with a tiny bit of question, "what ever became of Grandma's locket," or something along these lines, but when the bulk of the story's explanation is left to our imaginations, it seems like the author is copping out. It's more satisfying to know what happened.
Fun newsletter, by the way!
Olivia
I have to say that I completely agree with your preference! And I am glad you liked the newsletter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. |
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Mystery: March 14, 2007 Issue [#1598]
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