Mystery: February 22, 2012 Issue [#4895]
<< February 15, 2012Mystery Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 29, 2012 >>

Newsletter Header
Mystery


 This week: Reviewing an "Unfinished" Mystery
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

It is my honor and privilege to grace your inboxes this week. I do hope that you are able to find something useful in what I have to share. *Smile*

** Image ID #1753757 Unavailable **


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor



Reviewing an "Unfinished" Mystery

Many of the works on Writing.Com are works in progress. When it comes to mystery, how can you rate that?


Reviewing unfinished works is a reality on a writing site, and honestly, probably one of the best parts of the site. Instead of having to wait until something is completely finished to get feedback, you can get the opinions of others as you are working to make tweaks that will change later chapters in a more fluid manner.

With mysteries, though, it is very hard. The awesome thing about mysteries is that they are designed to make the reader think and reason. They give glimpses into the characters lives, clues as to who the culprit might be that committed whatever atrocity, and the author gets to think and reason without consequence. If the reader gets the answer wrong, it's a surprising ending, and doesn't affect the real world at all by setting a killer free, or causing another murder... it allows us all to be gumshoes, so to speak.

That same thing that is awesome about mysteries is what makes unfinished mysteries hard to rate and review. The ending of the mystery is, oftentimes, the best part - the one that lets all of the puzzle pieces fall into place. And in an unfinished one, we are missing it.

However, there are still some things we can look at to give the author an idea on how it is progressing, and that is what I intend to share with you today.

1. Are the characters stereotypical and predictable, or are the characters unique and surprising? You've seen them - the classic villain, the classic detective, the classic everything that makes the story far too predictable. The kind where you can guess who the guilty party is based on the first chapter alone. (This does not count the ones where you're allowed to watch the crime happen and step into the mind of the guilty one - those ones are very interesting!) No matter how far along in the mystery an author is, the reader can comment on the characterization of those participating in the story. Maybe fitting the stereotype was desired, and maybe it wasn't, but regardless of whether a story is finished, one can comment on the development of the characters.

2. Too much description, too little? In any genre, description is a key part. It can either halt a story completely dead just to describe a spec of dust in the room, or it can make a story flow naturally and make the reader feel as if they're taking a once-over the room with their own eyes.

3. Is it interesting? Even if you can't read more, do you want to? Would you bug the author, poke and prod them, to get another chapter just to satisfy some of the curiosities and questions? Or do you not mind at all that it's not finished and you're putting it aside because you've run out of parts to read?

4. How is the story progressing? If it is one where you get to step into the mind of the villain - are you still wondering how they will catch him, as he seems to keep slipping away? If it is one where you have to discover the guilty party - are you still guessing? Have they given you enough clues to eliminate some, but still keep wondering about others?

5. Are you enjoying it? Perhaps the most simplistic one, and the one that makes the most sense. Are you enjoying the read? It makes a large difference!


These could likely work with any work in progress.


Editor's Picks

I am a big fan of newbies. *Smile* Since this newsletter is speaking about unfinished mystery works, I have combined the two - I found unfinished mystery stories written by newbies! A few of them have more chapters than what I have highlighted here, just take a look in the portfolio to find more. Some of the newbies here have even never been reviewed! Help welcome them to writing.com by leaving your opinion of what they have written in a review, and introduce them to the greatest part of this site. At least, in my opinion.

 Switchblade ~Part 1~ Open in new Window. (13+)
A group of teenagers works to crack the case behind the disappearance of two classmates.
#1849393 by Sunray02 Author IconMail Icon


 Chapter 1 and 2 of Beauty from Ashes Open in new Window. (18+)
Leland knows that God is pleased with the murder. Det. Tanner Quinn arrives at the Park.
#1848152 by MysticValley Author IconMail Icon


 The Decision Chapter 1 - Point Of No Ret Open in new Window. (18+)
Patrick, a millionaire mogul, finds himself trapped in a room against his own freewill.
#1847913 by James Thomas Wallace Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1843041 by Not Available.


 A Shadow's Cast (I) Open in new Window. (18+)
First draft chapter about a car thief. Needs work. Feedback appreciated.
#1843518 by Sitissoui Author IconMail Icon



 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer



Unfortunately, I am not one of your regular editors, but I will try to offer a question for you to answer that they may include in future newsletters:

If you were to create a new, unique villain, what would you chose as their main personality characteristic?


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07YJZZGW4
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< February 15, 2012Mystery Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 29, 2012 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.