  Mystery
This week: Edited by: schipperke
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| Make me think, don't put me to sleep!---schipperke while reading "The DaVinci Code" |
| ASIN: B083RZJVJ8 |
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One of our good friends on Scroll the other day mentioned (in jest, I hope!) not liking mystery stories because he can always figure the plot, or ‘who dun it’. The comment got me thinking about why some mystery stories are superb and others are humdrum.
Can you figure out the ending of a mystery before the book is through? Does this disappoint you, or do you like being able to solve the mystery before the detectives in the story do?
I prefer a mystery with a couple of twists and turns; one filled with complex characters and red herrings. I want to be tempted to read the end of the story before I am finished because I am dying to find out who the killer is, and the story behind the crimes.
However, a mystery shouldn’t make the reader jump through hoops to understand the plotline. I also become peevish when a mystery writer throws in a political treatise or a chapter of information providing background to the story. In the first instance, I feel the political hand of the author in the story, which eliminates the magic storytelling, and in the second, I feel like I am reading a textbook. There is a fine line between providing background information on forensics, and cramming Forensics 101 down the reader’s throat.
A good mystery shouldn’t make the reader think, “Come on, now!” in laughter and disbelief, when the author keeps coming up with absurd plot lines and ridiculous developments just to make the word count for a publishing contract. I can hear the publishing company now saying, “OK, good plot, but we need six more chapters. How ‘bout if you make the hero an alien, and the dog ate the suspect.”
Can you write a mystery long enough to hold my interest with interesting characters and a plot I (and my scroll friend) can’t figure out by the second chapter? Can you make me want to turn to the end to find out what is going to happen in happy expectation? Will you write a story without too much unnecessary background information?
As an editor of this newsletter, I am always on the lookout for outstanding Mystery stories. If you think you have written one, and would like to see it highlighted in this newsletter and read by over 1400 people, please submit your story to me, or one of the other mystery newsletter editors.
Get writing!
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| |  | Invalid Item
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#1050727 by Not Available. |
|  | Evil Wind (13+)
The Goldman Series I: A day of disaster and decision, Jack first senses his lifelong enemy
#1053523 by Jack Goldman   |
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#870924 by Not Available. |
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#874255 by Not Available. |
| | Gone (E)
The plot of a TV show re-intensified the pain of missing grandchildren.
#557632 by Vivian  |
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#553193 by Not Available. |
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| ASIN: 197380364X |
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DarkLightningEnvy :Just saying thanks for the link to the Secret Society page--helped a lot.
You are welcome. Wikipedia is a great resource.
billwilcox:Schippers!
What an interesting look at secret societies in writing. I've never thought about that before--good job!
Let's start a secret society here on W.Com!
nexuscommand:I am both thankful for your pointing me to www.snopes.com and rather distraught. It is quite addictive reading what they have on there and it often inspires me to look further.
This is perhaps the first time that someone has provided a resource that can even inspire me in my unusual tastes.
Thank you greatly and be well.
I don't think I helped you find that link, but it sure is an interesting one and I am glad you like our mystery newsletter!
I am WAITING for your story submissions! |
| ASIN: B004PICKDS |
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Mystery: January 11, 2006 Issue [#818]
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