  Mystery
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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I take and read several writing magazines: The Writer, WRITERS' Journal, and Writer's Digest. All of them give me ideas and advice that helps me be a better writer. As I read some of the current issues, I realized that some of the articles included suggestions that definitely apply to writing mysteries, thrillers,crime, and/or suspense novels and/or stories.
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Mystery Writing Tips
In my reading, and from my experiences over the years, I found some writing tips that definitely apply to writing mysteries and sub-genres.
Some of the suggestions apply to any writing; some perhaps more to the mystery genres. However, all are usable to us. At the end of this article, I'll give the sources for the information I'm using besides my own expertise. I highly recommend that everyone read all the articles.
Create believable and distinctive characters. Have you ever read more than one book where at least one character could be dropped into more than one story, even if the names aren't the same, and no one could notice? I mean other than in a series or a sequel that contains the same characters.
Ways to make characters believable and distinctive are several, but a few include 1. to have characters not be predictable, 2. to make them three-dimensional rather than stereotypical or all good or all bad, 3. to "show" their personalities and characters rather than "tell" the reader what kind of person they are. An antagonist shouldn't be a "flat" all bad, evil person. A protagonist shouldn't be all good without any faults or short comings.
Include the four elements. Every well-written novel or story needs to have a strong hook at the beginning to grab the readers attention and keep it.
Conflict is necessary to have a plot, a story. Of course without conflict, we would have only a narrative, and we wouldn't have anything to interest a reader.
Conflict leads to a struggle, according to Diane E. Robertson, both internal and external. The ups and downs of the struggle make the plot move forward to the resolution, the end of the story. Authors need to be sure that that end is not a false finish. The end must make sense and satisfy the reader. A surprise ending should still be credible.
Make sure the plot is plausible to the reader. Often, coincidences are thrown in to surprise a reader, but if credibility is stretched too far, the reader won't accept it. Hallie Ephron states, "... never, ever, ever make a coincident integral to the solution."
Don't conceal clues from the reader. The reader should know all the clues as soon as the mystery solver or detective does.
I gave a few of the many tips found in three articles and a bit of my own knowledge mixed in. I'll add to the list later.
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Sources, besides the information I've accumulated over the years:
The Writer, Hallie Ephron,October 2008 page 26-29; Paola Carso, December 2008 page 28-29.
WRITERS' Journal, Diane E. Robertson, January/February 2009 page 46-47.
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Final Thoughts
Since I'm a guest editor (although, I've had several issues of the Mystery Newsletter lately), I haven't had any feedback.
I hope everyone will support the regular editors
and send them your thoughts and ideas.
Hope 2009 is one of the best years you've ever known, and all mysteries are good ones.
Vivian Zabel |
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Mystery: January 07, 2009 Issue [#2801]
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