  Mystery
This week: Dissecting The Norm Edited by: Creeper Of The Realm  
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“The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.”
~ Oscar Wilde
“Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed. What would be left to strive for if everything were known?”
~ Charles de Lint |
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Why is the word mystery automatically connected to crime and murder? Your answer should be very simple, or so I hope. When someone asks you, What type of books does such and such author write?, the answer, most of the time, is 'Murder/Crime Mystery.' Why? Why specify if most mystery novels are considered to be about those specific things anyway?
What is the greatest mystery of all?
You know this one!
Okay, maybe not.
Either way, it's not always about solving a murder. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's not. Not everything in this world revolves around death, even though it does seem that way sometimes. But maybe, just maybe, people expect nothing more than that. Can you prove them otherwise?
Mixing genres in your writing can be quite tricky. You need to add just the right amount in order to make it successful, and yet you don't want to overdo it so as not to overshadow your main goal, not to mention, ruin the story line and plot development. An example of doing it the wrong way would be the movie Gangster Squad. While it was considered to be a crime drama, it also consisted of some romance and comedy. The real romantic connection had never been established and the comedy parts were included in all the wrong places. Of course, opinions differ.
Without the mix, you have the plain old, straight forward genre which will, inevitably, lead to a murder or two, where your character solves the crime. Depending on your audience, this can be the most desirable one.
It takes an exceptionally skilled writer to write in the mystery genre without murdering a character and still succeed. Otherwise you'd have unsolved mysteries on your hands. Before I present you with a challenge, I have some questions, which have also been answered. Nevertheless, I'd like to know your opinion about it.
Is any story, written in any genre, complete without a bit of mystery thrown into it?
No. It would be a predictable tale. Yes, even more predictable than it already is.
Should a mystery story/book include other genres?
Yes, if appropriate.
Is mystery still a mystery without a single death/murder?
Yes!
Since the last question's answer is a proven fact, I'm wondering if any of you could make it happen. Do you think you have what it takes? Let's find out!
You have until March 1st to come up with a story - can be set as an old item - where it's all about mystery and nothing about death/murder. I will pay 1000GPs for your submission and will include the ones I liked best in the March 5th newsletter. You may submit your story by commenting on this newsletter, or simply by emailing it to me. Feel free to email me with questions, should you have any.
'til then!
~ Gaby 
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| |  | The Rouges (13+)
Chapter One of the new book The Rouges Written by Shelebrate! Read and see what you think
#1961696 by Shelebrate  |
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From October 16th Newsletter:
Pepper  wrote:
I'm glad you made this distinction. Getting rid of the extras is important but we have to be careful not to go too far. While we may treat our good guy like another tool to solving the mystery, we need to remember that our readers have to care about the main character. If they don't, then they end up not caring about the story. I think that's a universal truth regardless of the genre.
Very true!
billwilcox wrote:
I LOVE Odd Thomas! I LOVE Dean Koontz! So that's probably why. Great newsletter, thanks for sharing.
 Thank you. You're not alone! I'm not sure if I'll like to see his story end.
Fi wrote:
"But most of all, you'll need a stubborn attitude which will see you through your tough times." ~  Which is why I have all faith in you.  Great nl, as usual. 
Thank you! Makes ones of us, right? |
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Mystery: January 22, 2014 Issue [#6114]
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