\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9964-Mysterious-people.html
Mystery: January 15, 2020 Issue [#9964]




 This week: Mysterious people
  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: "The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery."

~Anais Nin


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B01DSJSURY
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Letter from the editor

How do you develop your mystery characters? Mystery characters need to be well developed, because readers need to consider their personalities when trying to solve the mystery as they read.

The story will seem unrealistic if the author forces a character to do something that seems contrary to their personality. Of course, people sometimes do things that would be out of character for them. If your characters do anything they wouldn't be expected to do, you need to give them a good reason or explanation.

Writers often make the mistake of of making the protagonist perfect and the antagonist pure evil. Imperfect characters are usually more interesting and more realistic. Imperfect characters are more likely to make mistakes or bad decisions which can lead to interesting story developments. Remember that there can be a fine line between imperfect and annoying. I have stopped reading a few stories that were otherwise good because the main character was so annoying that I hoped the villain would get them!

In most mysteries, some characters are keeping a secret, while others are trying to learn it. What lengths would your character go to in order to protect their secret? Would they lie, steal, or even kill? Make sure the motive is strong if the character commits a severe crime to keep the secret.

The "twist" in some mysteries depends on a character not being what he pretends to be. For example, a loving husband and father might be leading a double life as a serial killer. If a situation like this is part of your story, try to insert subtle clues to the person's true character.

How much do you know about your characters? In order to develop their personalities, you might want to get to know them as you would an actual person. Where did they grow up? Are their parents still alive, and if so, do they get along? Do they have siblings? Do they like being around other people, and if so, who is their best friend? What are their attitudes toward religion and politics? Did they go to college, and if so, what was their area of study? Do they have a significant other or children? Do they have a job, and if so, do they enjoy it? How would they react to a situation such as getting bad service in a restaurant? How would they behave if they were accused of something they didn't do? Is the character someone you would like to be around in real life?

Remember that you don't have to insert all the background character building information into the story unless it is important. The information is mostly for you, to see your characters more clearly.

Something to try: Write a mystery story where a character keeps a secret in a unique way.


Editor's Picks

Image Protector
STATIC
Mirror, Mirror  Open in new Window. (E)
What woke me up?
#2105067 by WakeUpAndLive~"HoHoHo" Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
Halo Effect  Open in new Window. (13+)
Reviews welcomed. Darkness descends, but light prevails in a peculiar way. Nominee
#1950165 by Mrs. Nixie Clause Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
Friends? Open in new Window. (13+)
Beth waited for her friends at the campsite till she got a call on her dead cell phone.
#891652 by CHRISTMAS cub-BELLS R RINGING! Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
"The Red Umbrella Mystery" script form Open in new Window. (E)
What would you do for a loved one?
#2189032 by Legendary❤️Mask Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
BOOK
Stacy's Visions  Open in new Window. (18+)
Stacy joins a team of psychics to help track down a serial Killer.
#2047527 by Jeannie's Jingle Bells☃️ 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: B07YXBT9JT
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What topics would you like to see in future mystery newsletters?

*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: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99

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/9964-Mysterious-people.html