 Mystery: November 21, 2007 Issue [#2079] |
  Mystery
This week: Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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“Life is a mystery ~ Living is finding and solving the clues.”
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Truth, I may remind you, is stranger than fiction.”
Henry Berkolin in “The Lost Gallows”
If there were no mystery left to explore life would get rather dull, wouldn't it?
Sidney Buchman
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Mystery Newsletter. A mystery by nature is a question in search of an answer - a puzzle! And when we uncover the answer to the question, effectively solving the puzzle moments before the writer gives us the solution, follow clues tactile and cerebral, the momentary satisfaction is sublime! 
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A Mystery by definition is a puzzle. The writer poses a question in the opening chapter(s), then builds a pathway, using clues (subtle and overt) as markers at the crossroads, for the reader to arrive at the satisfying resolution along with the writer (or just before, if very, very perceptive ). Along the way, the writer offers clues from other characters, animate and not.
Each character can provide a clue or at the least move the story forward. If not, perhaps he/she/it belongs in another story. I’ve spent the past few weeks getting to know the characters in a short story mystery I am currently writing for a class. I started by getting to know my protagonist and antagonist, and found that both can fit either role, inciting my muse to draft two somewhat bifurcated stories. At some point satisfying the puzzle will guide me to choose one. Until I reach that crossroads, I’m learning the characters, who they are, how they grew up and became their present selves, as they drive the plot with forethought and intent.
I’m getting to know also the lives of the ancillary characters. As a short story, there are only a few, including inanimate ones, which interact with the main characters. Getting to know their likes, dislikes, and how they arrived at their present state of being is giving added depth to my story. I’ve plotted their strengths and weaknesses, physical, emotional, religious, and social, and they've returned my attention by giving my story more depth. Their bios give me their mode of speech, mannerisms, reasons for interacting as tey move the plot forward, proffering clues to solve the puzzle. One has also offered me an intriguing red herring, one that perhaps misleads for a time, but does not deceive, the reader. Although I regularly develop my characters to some extent, I have to give credit for the depth of my interaction with each and every one in my story to my teacher and fellow classmates in our own A1 Academy's "Invalid Item" . It does take some time to draw out the details, in effect interviewing each character, but the rewards are immediately visible.
Take the time, interview your characters, spend some time with them so you get to know them, what they like, dislike, who they are and who, with the guidance of your muse, they will become. It can be a fun way to re-ignite perhaps a wavering muse stuck at a crossroads, looking for the next clue to the puzzle itself, and is definitely enlightening.
For example, if you’re working with a man with a cane, walk with a cane for a day or so; if your character wears a cast on her arm, strap your arm in a sling for a day; if your character is hard-of-hearing, put a wad of cotton in each ear for a day. As you go about your life that day, think as your characters and write what they fear, dream, wish for, and aspire to. How did they come by their current lifestyle; earn their living; attain financial gain or loss. If they offer clues to move the story forward, use them; else, let them go their way for now and move on. But hold onto the bios you're sketching! If they don’t move your current story forward, perhaps they will beckon you to tell their story in poetry or prose another time
So, harvest the clues proffered by each character in your mystery, enjoy those I’ve offered for your Thanksgiving reading here, and, whatever you do, write not what you know, but know of what and whom you write!
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I know you will enjoy reading the following mysteries ~ poetic and prosaic ~ over the holiday weekend ~ and hope you will take a few minutes to share your thoughts with the writers
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And, then, perhaps, try relaxing after a holiday repast by solving the clues in the following 'puzzles'
One in story form
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And another in traditional puzzle format
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Thank you for welcoming me into your home and I hope you’ve enjoyed this issue of the Mystery Newsletter. I wish for all a Happy Thanksgiving in company of loving family, dearest friends, and/or faithful Muse to celebrate the harvest.
Until we next meet,
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Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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