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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3294-.html
Mystery: September 30, 2009 Issue [#3294]

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Mystery


 This week:
  Edited by: Vivian Author IconMail Icon
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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

         As a mystery/suspense writer myself, I want to make my books as believable as possible. I've read magazines, online, and books to learn how others write, for material to use, and to add to my knowledge. I attended workshops, clinics, and workshops for over 30 years.
         Perhaps some of the methods I've found that help me might help others who write mysteries, suspense, thrillers, and/or detective stories and books.

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Letter from the editor

Making Reality Part of Mystery


         My first mystery/suspense novel, which came out last fall, Midnight Hours takes place in Oklahoma City, and three of the main characters are members of the OKC police department. Much what I wrote about the police department came from my imagination and from my experiences mainly with the country sheriff's department. I realize now that I needed a resource inside the department in order to be sure the details add to the believability of the plot if and when someone who "knows" reads the book. I can at least have that information for the next book in the series.

         Ways to discover facts and possibilities to help with writing any type of mystery (including the sub-genres) are many.

Have a resource person in a police department. I now have one in the OKC department. If I decide to use another city or county entity, I will contact them and ask for help.

Join email groups in the crime/mystery genre. I'm a member of Sister in Crime (http://sistersincrime.org} and their Yahoo email group, as well as the crimescenewriters Yahoo email group. Many experts, including police and forensics experts, are parts of each group and answer questions posed about material needed for plots, deaths, discovery, and procedures. I started printing many pages of responses for my mystery file. I have at least three new possible ways to commit murder, investigate them, and solve them.

Read, read, read. Read mysteries of all kinds and sub-genres. Note which plots, characters, and details work and which don't. Analyze why or why not.

Read writing magazines, and articles which cover writing different types of mysteries.

Attend conferences with mystery sessions. I have two conferences on my wish list: Scene of the Crime, held in Wichita, Kansas, and Telling Your Story hosted by Mystery author William Bernhardt, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

         The Muse Online Writing Conference last year had a complete list of forums, authors, and editors dealing with mystery. Wonder what they will have this year (next month)?

         The more prepared we are, the better chance our mystery will have details and information that will make our stories and novels believable.

         My novel Midnight Hours started as a novella entered in a contest on Writing.Com. The novel and long short story have a few things in common, but the novel expands and changes some of the characters and plot. However, I did my best to make characters, plot, and setting as realistic and believable as possible.


Editor's Picks

Writings from W. Com


 Segment 1 Open in new Window. [13+]
A mystery? About crochet? Read the 1st segment of the series!
by June Author Icon

 
Mystery Short Stories Open in new Window. [13+]
A few mystery short stories.
by Kings Author Icon

 
Inside the Darkness Open in new Window. [13+]
The light in the center of darkness. Maybe a vampire isn't all that bad.
by Joy Author Icon

 Not Alone Open in new Window. [E]
I was keenly aware of another person's presence
by D. Wayne Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 guardian Open in new Window. [13+]
a strange kind of murder mystery
by dark_angel Author Icon


 Little David Open in new Window. [13+]
She could only take so much
by Quick-Quill Author Icon
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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!
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Ask & Answer

Words from Our Readers{/font


Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
         You might not have enough space here but I will try.
1) Where was Marlene?
2) Why was Homeland Security coming, in secrecy?
3) Who is Kyle Logan; why does he turn Amber on?
4) Who is dead in the fish (dare I guess Koi) pond? Could it be the missing Marlene?
{indent]All these questions lead up to a VERY interesting story. The possibilities are endless and dare we ask if this is a WIP? or one already written, that we can read?

         That chapter was from a work in progress. I'll let everyone know when it is available.

Sandy~HopeWhisperer Author IconMail Icon
         Your newsletters are always so intriguing and informative. This one was also entertaining as well as thought provoking.
         Thank you for featuring one of my stories in the newsletter. I am honored.Bigsmile

         I'm glad you find my newsletters helpful.


drifter46
         An interesting first chapter. A good hook, some tension, a dabble of mystery as to who is who and why are they there at the same time. I can surmise the dead body belongs to the missing Marlene. Why she ended up swimming face down with the fish raises some curiosity. And there is enough uncertainty so far to keep one guessing if the two named men are really all they seem. I'll look forward to chapter two.

         I'm glad you enjoyed chapter one. I'll post chapter two next month, so stay tuned.

Thank you for joining me this issue. I hope you join me next month for chapter two of Murder in the Mansion.

Viv

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