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 Mystery: June 29, 2005 Issue [#445] |
  Mystery This week: Edited by: InkyShadows   More Newsletters By This Editor   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  Something mysterious is lurking out there ... just beyond the edges of your peripheral vision. What is it? Did that shadow move? Is that cigarette smoke I smell? Whose footsteps are following me everywhere I go? Eyes dart every which way, trying to catch a glimpse of the danger that lurks ... out there. Such are the panicked feelings and thoughts of the victim in a mystery story... ** Image ID #948096 Unavailable ** 
 Have you ever noticed how formulaic most genres seem to be? Well, the mystery genre is no exception to the rule. There must always be a criminal, a victim, several red herrings and suspects who could have done it for various reasons, a person who solves the crime, etc. One would think that with the formulaic nature of the mystery genre that one would quickly get bored with reading mystery stories since they all seem to be patterned after one another. Yet, this is definitely not the case. In writing mysteries, although formulaic by nature, there is enough flexibility within the form for the author to slip in various bits and pieces that are uniquely one's own. This imposed bits and pieces are the things that keep new mystery stories feeling fresh and new rather than already over done. What am I talking about? Well things like Diane Mott Davidson's unique crime solver Goldy, a caterer who provides the reader with insight into the life of a caterer along with copies of the recipes that Goldy whips up. Or, take for example, Ellis Peters' crime solving twelfth century monk and the concommitant aspects of religious life of the time. Then, there is always Parnell Hall's puzzle lady Cora Felton who happens to love crossword puzzles of all types which the reader also gets the chance to solve, thus matching wits with Cora, because the puzzles are provided at the ends of the chapters for the reader to try his/her hand at. There are mysteries that take place around holidays, in and around bed and breakfast inns, at the ball park or race track, and more. When you go to write a mystery story, it is important to do both of the following things. First, study the genre formula and work within its confines as much as you can. Then, you will need to find a way to break the mold and make the story uniquely your own so that it doesn't sound like every other mystery story that has been written. Do these things, and you will be on your way to writing a mystery story that readers will want to read. Till next time, this is InkyShadows signing off  
Here are my picks for this month. You will find that many are works in progress. help the authors out by giving them detailed reviews, filled with constructive criticism...
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form  Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form Don't forget to support our sponsor!
 My question for you to ponder in this newsletter is this... Since the mystery is a rather formulaic genre, what quirk or quirks would you add to the story to make it uniquely your own? Would it be an off-beat character? a strange form of clue? a really unique location? a never seen before sort of killing? or, something else? Have a question or comment for the Editor? http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form
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