  Mystery
This week: Clue in the Bit Players Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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All that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
Edgar Alan Poe
A mystery is an answer in search of a question; knowing what's been done and journey to discovering the how and why of it. It deals with something unknown to the reader, which the writer reveals in bits and pieces with both subtle and overt clues, drawing the reader into the puzzle. Welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Mystery Newletter, where we enter and explore the puzzle for ourselves and our readers.all that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream |
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Greetings, fellow sleuths~ yes, we're the ones who ask not just why, but why not, what if, and who done it
How about profiling your sleuth, your victim (be he alive or of recent demise), your likely (and less likely) perpetrators, and those who would offer clues and a few smelly fish (herrings) - yes, the apparent 'bit' players in your mystery - they have feelings too.
Consider the following example:
... Macavity, Macavity, there's no on like Macavity,
He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime--Macavity's not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air--
But I tell you once and once again, Macavity's not there!
...
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macacity,
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
He always has an alibit, or one or two to spare:
And whatever time the deed took place--MACAVITY WASN'T THERE!
And they say that all the Cats whose wicked deeds are widely known
(I might mention Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone)
Are nothing more than agents for the Cat who all the time
Just controls their operations: the Napoleon of Crime!
Excerpted from ~ Macavity - The Mystery Cat - a poem by T S Eliot, in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, also appearing in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cats.
Not only is this a cool poem, part of a delicious mystery, it's a vivid character sketch. Read it again, and see how much you get to know not only Macavity, but his relation to, and command of as Napoleon of Crime, characters such as 'Mungojerrie' and others.
We spend time exploring our sleuth, the victim, the perpetrator of crime or mayhem in our mystery, but consider as well the supporting cast, those who interact with each of the above three, and among each other. They also have secrets both to withhold and to tell. Their appearance in your story or verse, their interact with or evasion from, your sleuth or antagonist can provide clues or misdirect along the way to solving the puzzle you've woven for your sleuth and readers.
We read mysteries to be entertained and to develop a connection with the characters. Outlining items such as personality traits, physical features, and quirks can help bring your characters to life.
Character sketches can be stories, verse, any method you choose to use when they are being obstinate and balk at the command of your pencil or keyboard to "follow the yellow brick road" of your plot. When your sleuth or perpetrator wander off into a field of poppies for a rest, perhaps with a character encountered along the 'road', identify and engage them; allow them to tell you their story, see them as they appear in their own mirror.
If Mike and Matt decide to take Mary and Margie on a weekend treasure hunt, will they miss Morgan's expert marksmanship? Or should they dispose of Morgan the professional detecctive and just take the guns? Come on, how many 'M'-names do we have - get your characters to reveal their real names - too many with the same first letter distract and confuse your readers, taking them out of the story. And what of Morgan, male or female? Why not interview our characters, have them show their lives in a mirror, tell their stories (and real names). This exchange will plant more clues and may change the path you choose to solve your puzzle, and maybe even the solution!
Supporting characters are the color of the mystery, providing clues both real and fishy (you know, the red herrings). In a mystery, support characters can take on a life of their own with the reader, so make them interesting. Just because they are labeled support characters does not mean they are any less important than the main characters.
So, how do we get to know them? I've asked writers, both online and in person, how they get to know their characters and keep them in line. You know, Morgan above can be either male or female, tall or short, blue-eyed or green-eyed, human or fey, but not morphing from one appearance to another several chapters or verses later. That would take not only Morgan, but your reader, out of the mystery, a distraction rather than a participant.
Consider profiling each character ~ no, not the walk-on extras, but those who engage the sleuth, the victim, the perpetrator, others on the trail of solving the mystery, finding clues to the puzzle.
Interview the characters, and keep track of their physical characteristics and family history and likes and dislikes and relationship with the victim, or sleuth, or potential perpetrator (might they not also be the potential perpetrator?).
Write their story in a verse or bit of flash. A fun exercise when the clues jumble up or the plot feels stale. If they want a role in the puzzle, either send them packing or let them weave their clue or add some 'herring' if it engages the sleuth and your readers, leading them to the next clue. If the role they want would distract from the puzzle, send them along their way, perhaps to weave for you their own story in sequel or freestanding
So, keep track of your characters - both those with the starring role and those who have key bit parts. How? Consider both low-tech and high-tech options then choose that which works best for you.
 Index cards - low tech but visual and able to add to or view at any time. Each character has a card with their profile, characteristics, and perhaps what page/chapter/verse they first appear, next appear. Though low key, these are easy to pack and not subject to power failure.
{Notebook with insertable pages to expand the life of characters, write their stories in verse or prose, and extract from them clues and miscues to import to your story or poem. These offer more space for engaging the individual characters and are still easy to carry about and versatile.
Whiteboard with sketches and images cut from magazines, with quotes, pages/chapters/verses of appearance. Very visual and changeable if you've a dedicated space for writing. You can actually see the characters and visualize them acting out scenes and verses as they find and solve clues.
Computer files for each character - similar to the notebook but stored in laptop. Ability here to block and copy characteristics, sketches, conversations among characters into the story or epic verse itself.
Whatever method you choose, be it cards, notebook laptop, or something else, I hope you engage your bit players and clue us in to their impact on the puzzle, adding depth to the 'otherworld' you create for your sleuth and readers.
Until we next meet, engage your mystery!
Read and Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Check out the interplay, the personas, and how they clue you in to solving each mystery
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| |  | Deceitful Death (E)
Detective Yvonne has just one goal- to find the murderer of her best friend's idol.
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And in the tradition of T.S. Eliot
Ready to challenge your 'bit' players ~ I invite our newer members to consider this option for the muse creative
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And, one of my favorite challenges ~ always provocative
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Thank you for sharing this exploration. I encourage you to get to know your cast or characters, extras as well as your sleuth and victim and perpetrators. They may weave for you a puzzle intertwined with crossroads, herrings, and intriguiing possibilities.
Share with us your method of keeping track or your characters, that they not morph or get lost along the way. What do you use to guide them along your puzzle's pathway?
Until we next meet, I wish for you,
Happy Sleuthing!
Write On,
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Mystery: April 06, 2011 Issue [#4326]
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