\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7497-A-mystery-doesnt-have-to-be-a-crime.html
Mystery: February 24, 2016 Issue [#7497]

Newsletter Header
Mystery


 This week: A mystery doesn't have to be a crime
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon 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

Quote for the week:
"I think kids want the same thing from a book that adults want - a fast-paced story, characters worth caring about, humor, surprises, and mystery. A good book always keeps you asking questions, and makes you keep turning pages so you can find out the answers."

Rick Riordan



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99


Letter from the editor

The dictionary defines a mystery as "anything that is difficult or impossible to explain." While most mystery stories deal with solving a crime, mysteries do not have to involve a crime. There are countless other mysterious events or situations that are worthy of a mystery story. A crimeless mystery works well when you are writing for children or any venue that restricts violence.

Here are a few suggestions:

Treasure hunt: Who doesn't love a treasure hunt? The treasure doesn't have to be worth tons of money, as long as it is something the characters want that is hidden. Every treasure hunt needs a map and a series of clues. To keep your story original, try to find a new way of presenting these items.

Secret code: Breaking the code might be only half of this type of story. Maybe the decoded message is also cryptic, containing recognizable words, but with no clear meaning.

Something is missing or in the wrong place:Where is it, and how and why was it moved?

Someone is acting strangely: There are lots of possibilities here. A straight A student fails a test. A new bride goes outside to answer cell phone calls so her husband cannot hear what she is saying. A normally grouchy individual suddenly appears to be happy.

Locked room: Classic locked room mysteries often involve a murder or robbery, but they can be used in a crime free mystery as well. Maybe a character is given a challenge to obtain an object from a seemingly impenetrable chamber. Or maybe you could reverse the classic locked room format. A character could be inside a room, apartment, or house that is supposedly completely locked down with security alarms, but there is evidence that someone has gotten inside.

Even if your story does not involve a crime, you will still need to build suspense to keep the reader interested.

Remember that in a good mystery, nothing is as it seems. Even though your story does not involve an actual crime, your characters and readers might think a crime has been committed until the mystery is solved. Or maybe it seems as if there was no crime, when in fact, there was. You might have your characters come up with a perfectly innocent explanation for what has happened, only to show another character gloating about getting away with a crime.

Something to try: Write a mystery story in which no crime was committed.



Editor's Picks

 
Image Protector
STATIC
Typographical Terror Open in new Window. (13+)
A keyboard error causes fatal results.
#1645816 by Winnie Kay Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1410605 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2060668 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2055811 by Not Available.


 
Image Protector
STATIC
The Mystery of Pinhead Island Open in new Window. (13+)
A secret agent finds himself on an unexpected mission of discovery. Flash fiction story.
#2055859 by Jellyfish 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!

ASIN: 1945043032
Amazon's Price: $ 13.94


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: Who is your favorite mystery author?

*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: B0CJKJMTPD
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

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.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7497-A-mystery-doesnt-have-to-be-a-crime.html