This week: Plotting a Puzzle that's Dark Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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All that I see or seem is but a dream withn a dream
Edgar Alan Poe
A mystery is an answer in search of a question; knowing what's been done and journey to discovering the how and why of it. It deals with something unknown to the reader, which the writer reveals in bits and pieces with both subtle and overt clues, drawing the reader into the puzzle. Welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Mystery Newletter, where we enter and explore the puzzle for ourselves and our readers. |
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Greetings, fellow sleuths
A mystery is an answer in search of a question; knowing what's been done and the journey to discovering the how and why of it. It deals with something unknown to the reader, which the writer reveals in bits and pieces by use of clues, drawing the reader into the puzzle.
 A mystery can intrigue the reader's curiosity - solve the puzzle, curiosity sated.
 A mystery can also create anticipation of a threat unseen, often peppered with a bit of horror.
Okay, I'm thinking a puzzle with spooky undertones with Halloween upon us 
Mystery stories and poems often have elements of horror, while remaining puzzles to be solved as the reader (along with the protagonist) uncovers the clues planted by the writer. Consider the first acknowledged "mystery," by Edgar Allan Poe, The Murders on the Rue Morgue. Or what about the Hound of the Baskervilles?. What do you recognize in both of these? While they each have elements of horror, for example, the supernatural 'hound,' the puzzle remains the focal point of each story. Mystery and horror over time have proven successful cousins in prose and verse, as each makes use of the unknown - a mystery
Consider today Dean Koontz (yes, a genre of his own, incorporating often mystery, fantasy, horror) who offers clues for the reader to follow, sometimes horrific, or otherworldly, but in the end solving a puzzle = a mystery
To remain a mystery, a puzzle that engages the reader as a 'sleuth,' engrosses him in the challenge of solving clues (not grosses him out) - the story or poem needs to keep the puzzle, the challenge, foremost. Consider in your story, the following elements, if you choose to add a touch of horror to the mystery
 Can mystery and horror balance out. Will the horror add something to the mystery, a bit of detail to draw the reader into your 'otherworld,' add some 'fun' to the read. A detailed rendering of gory gnawed entrails or ceaseless scenes that result in gratuitous fear make the puzzle recede into the background; the mystery forgotten in terror.
 Consider which would take precedence if balance is not feasible. For example, does following a trail of decapitated bodies (mortal or otherwise) become the main theme, or is it solving a crime where people go missing right after payday, and a decapitated torso turns up (as either a clue or red herring.
So, you see how mystery and horror can and often do work well together, a balanced mystery prosaic or poetic. The anticipation of terror, perhaps but a subtle hint or thread, can add depth, keep the reader turning the pages to escape the threat by solving the mystery
Mystery solved - the puzzle is not exclusive, but open to a clue (or false trail) tainted with a touch of horror, a terror to overcome (clue the muse), as your sleuth (and reader) follow the trail of clues laid with care, just past the corner of the eye.
Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Check out these dark multi-faceted mysteries in prose and verse penned by the writers in our Community for your reading (and commenting) pleasure ~ let them know if you see the mystery - the puzzle inherent. Then, try puzzling one from the dark recesses almost seen past the corner of your eye 
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Mystery: October 30, 2019 Issue [#9838]
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