This week: Invitation to a Murder Edited by: ~Minja~  
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An interesting quotes you should remember while considering participation in this year's "Wdc 19th Birthday Masquerade Party"
"I always know the end of the mystery before I begin to write. Tension should he held within the novel and there should be no longuers of boring interrogation." – P.D. James
"Every man at the bottom of his heart believes that he is a born detective." – John Buchan
"The most important element in discovery is an open mind." – Angela Mullins
"The detective isn't your main character, and neither is your villain. The main character is the corpse. The detective's job is to seek justice for the corpse. It's the corpse's story, first and foremost." – Ross MacDonald |
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am dedicating this newsletter to one of my favorite writing activities on Writing.Com: "Wdc 19th Birthday Masquerade Party" . Maybe this topic has been covered before by another member but I'll write about it from my point of view. As someone who participated in this highly anticipated activity—being behind the scene and in the front row—I'll get you an insight of why is it important to consider participation if you are a fan of the mystery genre.
'Masquerade Party' is imagined to bring writers together in order to write and solve a murder case. The reason why it is always called 'a masquerade' is that writers HAVE TO attend the party as someone else, usually as a favorite book/movie/series characters, and celebrities. Sounds fun so far? It's because it is!
Writers are split into two groups—guests and suspects—where always one of the suspects turns out to be a killer although until the very end no one knows who the killer is. Well, no one except Tornado Dodger  and the killer of course. But, it's a top-secret between the two of them and by no means should/could/would be revealed before the time for it comes. Brooke makes sure we have a different murder case as well as different crime scene each year which is one of the main reasons why the 'Masquerade Party' will keep your interest. So far, we've been on a fantasy island (a personal favorite event since I solved the murder case, acting as Marvel's Deadpool), amusement park, at the wedding, on the ship. I'm not exactly sure where the event will take the place this year, somewhere in the outer space perhaps, but I'm sure it's going to be equally fun like previous years. For some reason, I think about the 'Masquerade Party' as the 'American Horror Story' only more amusing. Different participants choose to come as different characters and the story usually moves in an amusing way yet with a good dose of suspense to ensure fun for everyone. Did I buy you already?
Brooke puts a lot of effort each year which is why the masquerade is so well organized. She drops "Masquerade Suspect Application" in August and, according to sign-ups, she make plans about the killer. The story itself develops literally on the set. The positive side here is that you are not entirely sure what is going to happen and how the party will finish even if you are one of the writers. And just like in any great-written mystery, you depart on an uncertain and thrilling journey. Each suspect has its own writing schedule in the "Wdc 19th Birthday Party Suspect Journal" . Every participant of the 'Masquerade Party' is required to read journal entries in order to solve the murder mystery. Journal entries are never written ahead of time because each needs to follow the rule of two:
1. they have to include A CLUE, given to a suspect by Brooke only a day or two before the entry goes live
2. they have to include some, if not all, of the happenings between the guests at the party
This way the activity guarantees the active participation of both—suspects and the guests. Usually, suspects own the main story flow. They plot schemes behind the scene, drop random ideas and have fun discussing and hearing what the other suspects think. But, each year, there are so many interesting guests characters who rise above the challenge and provide even more interesting situations that are gladly used in suspects' journal entries, bringing the story to a whole new level whose final chapter is wrapped nicely by a suspect.
I'll look back a few months or even years and mention all the pomp and fan theories, predicting season finale of Game of Thrones. If you read any of these you could notice how much fans were invested in providing the sense to the entire show. Many theories were far better than we've been given in the last episode but, once again, fans are being fooled into the completely different ending and something no one really expected. No matter how sad and angry and funny I felt about the ending, one good thing about GoT creators was that, in the neverending sea of ideas and interesting fan theories, they STILL managed to come up with the ending of their own. Sure, the ending that angered half of the planet, but still an ending of their own. This is how the 'Masquerade Party' works as well. Minus the anger and disappointments of course  .
As a participant—either guest or a suspect—you get to participate in the creation of the universe with many twists and turns, interesting characters' background, and uncertain plot. Sprinkle it with amusement and friendly Writing.Com members, trying to solve a murder, and you'll get a highly anticipated activity that will not only provide fun but also teach you the essentials of the writing a murder mystery. What else could you ask for?
Until next time, I hope I'll see you at this year's masquerade party
~Minja~ |
You have to submit this application by August 15th and agree to be available during the following dates to write at least one journal entry every week for three weeks. September 1st through the 21st.
Apply if you dare!
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For those of you who are unfamiliar with the annual "Masquerade", I run an event every year for the site's birthday. It lasts three weeks and is always a blast to participate in. We introduce our 'suspects' and then one dies, usually in an unusual way. Then we spend the remainder of the event tossing out details and accusations trying to figure out who the murderer is among the remaining suspects while having a tremendous amount of fun. The suspects do have behind-the-scenes knowledge. However, even they are unaware until the end, who is really the killer.
As a guest, you'll be able to read entries from the seven suspects into a journal describing the events surrounding the party each week for three weeks. Guests will be allowed and encouraged to post inside this forum their interactions with other guests and/or any sleuthing they would like to expose.
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Lifestyles of the Rich and Brainless from Wdc 15th Birthday Party Suspect Journal
Excerpt: "You there!" Christian yelled at one of the adorable children. "Attack something! I want to see a bloodthirsty feeding frenzy!"
He turned at the sound of someone approaching from the beach. Anastasia walked toward him with a piece of paper in her hand.
"What's wrong?" Christian asked, alarmed. "Did some guy touch you? Make an inappropriate comment? Glanced at you for more than 3.5 seconds? Just tell me who it was and I'll take care of it."
"Relax, Christian," Anastasia said, rolling her eyes. "I just wanted to come over and ask if we could change rooms."
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They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky... from Wdc 16th Birthday Party Suspect Journal
Excerpt: tHiNg launches herself in the air so she can wave with each airborne effort, then beckons them to follow her into the park.
"What should we do first?" Pugsley asks, looking around.
"We could set the carousel on fire," Wednesday suggests.
"Kids," Uncle Fester reprimands. "What have I told you about these ideas of yours?"
Wednesday and Pugsley look at each other. "Accelerants can be traced?"
"And?"
"Don't forget to block the windows and exits first?"
"Aaannnd?"
"Premeditation is the difference between parole and life in prison?"
"Bingo! Less talk, more action. It'll help you in court."
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Ice, Ice, Baby - The Finale' from Wdc 17th Birthday Party Suspect Journal
Excerpt: Dean and Sam Winchester are used to fighting demons of all sorts. What they aren't used to is plain old-fashioned murder. Wolfgang answered Sam with directions to The Stanley by simply pointing since it was so close, as Dean checked out Wonder Woman
"We really need to get to the main building. There is something sinister going on." she told him.
"That's what we heard. Show us the way." Dean said as he climbed behind the wheel.
As they approach The Stanley, they see it's almost nightfall and the hotel is lit up for the pending reception, The hotel has an ominous glow, almost as if it knows it's truly evil.
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Everything is alright, the Giant is here! from Wdc 18th Birthday Party Suspect Journal
Excerpt:" I will tell you 3 things," the Giant began. "If I tell them to you and they come true, then will you believe me?"
"Who's that"? Coop was in oblivion.
"Think of me as a friend."
"Where do you come from?"
"The question is, where have you gone? The first thing I will tell you is, beware of the smelly man ..."
"Smelly man," Coop repeated.
"The second thing is, a dog is not a dog but a little puppy."
"A little puppy," Coop repeated.
"Third thing is, there is no wrong portal, only right."
"Right portal," Coop repeated. "What is the meaning of all this?" He asked.
"This is all I am permitted to say. Give me your ring. I will tell you one more thing in exchange." Coop gave him his hand and the Giant took a ring from his finger.
"Forth thing is, never drink coffee that has been anywhere near a fish." He took the time to collect the energy and simply vanished before Coop's eyes.
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Mystery: August 21, 2019 Issue [#9713]
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