  Mystery
This week: Mysteries as visual & graphic puzzles Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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All that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
Edgar Alan Poe
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. Welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Mystery Newletter, where we will explore some of the means by which we plot the journey to discovery for ourselves and our readers.
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Greetings, fellow sleuths.
We read and write a mystery because we like to find the sense in things (at least I do). We know that there is a logical solution; and by following clues and solving a mystery, we engage our senses to take control over a small portion of our world.
Mysteries are visual, tactile by nature; engaging the senses. We jump in with the action (a crime, perhaps theft or murder), and seek to resolve the why and who by actively finding and solving clues left at the scene until we unmask the culprit. The clues can be subtle or so obvious nobody notices but the discerning sleuth.
Some of the most engaging mysteries are visual ~ think manga and comics and even the original fairy tales of old ~ puzzles to engage the mind with a logical progression of clues which, when found and solved, lead to a believable and satisfying resolution. Yes, we can weave fantasy and adventure and even comedy into the mix, but the underlying premise of solving clues to resolve a mystery remains the focus of many comics and manga through today. The form incites tight visual writing, active and relative fast-paced, drawing readers into the story and making them want to stay until they solve the puzzle along with the 'hero.'
Superman of films may fly from film to film, but remains true to his origins in comics, still empowered by his powers both 'super' and mundane to solve a crime by following clues to their logical resolution. So too did Mike Hammer (who began his 'life' in comics), Batman, Wolverine, Eva, "Odd." I've covered centuries in a few paragraphs to show how this visual medium still yields a good mystery. And some well-crafted 'fanfics' based on, for example, "Naruto," are ever an engaging journey for the nascent sleuth.
You don't have to be a graphic artist to draw a manga or comic mystery - consider the "Ms. Tree" comics that after two decades have returned in book form (not visual comics, but visual in imagery and theme) in Max Allan Collins' "Deadly Beloved." And yes, "Ms. Tree" by the author's admission speaks 'mystery' from the point of view of the former 'sidekick' or 'assistant.'
So, intrigued in keeping the visual chain going in prose and verse? Consider perhaps some of the following being used by mystery writers (both in and outside our own WDC Community).
 Fanfics (fan fiction based on known characters in manga and comics, like "Naruto') are engaging reads for adults as well as younger readers.
A mystery solved by a 'traditional' sidekick or assistant - a modern-day 'Lois Lane' solving a locked room mystery, perhaps and saving the day. Consider "Ms. Tree" who started her sleuthing career as a police file clerk.
Visual clues in the names of places and persons. "Ms. [Michael] Tree" (mystery) and her purported partner "Chic Steele" (an obvious sensual image (and clue) here for the sleuth).
Begin in the middle - with a crime that gives visual clues to incite the sleuth to action and the reader to turn the pages.
Visual scenes with a clue in each chapter or every couple of scenes in a short story, which is solved or discarded or leads to another active clue in short succession. In other words, little back-story, perhaps kept to brief conversation that relates to the ongoing action.
Show your protagonist in the opening, along with at least one antagonist in short succession to give the reader a visual image based on his/her perception.
Use visual images in the names, either connecting to a fan base (fanfic) or relatively familiar image (i.e., "Redd Pennscut" as an editor cutting text from a "Ms. Anchor's" crime beat copy?)
Whether incorporating fantasy, urban realism, magic, or police procedure, be honest with the characters (and readers). By giving them discernible, visual clues, the mystery is uncovered in logical progression and the sleuth (and reader) solves the crime at or near the same time.
I hope you've enjoyed this exploration into the visual and graphic side of mystery in prose and verse.
Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading |
I invite you to enter the maze of words woven by some authors in our Community and let them know if their puzzle offers visual, tactile, sensual clues to solving the mystery~perhaps with a review
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#1124828 by Not Available. |
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Now, have a puzzle in mind you'd like to 'draw' for us ~ consider showing us here
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Thank you for this brief respite in your virtual homes ~ I hope you've enjoyed this exploration and some good sleuthing with writers in our Community.
Until we next meet,
Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Mystery: June 02, 2010 Issue [#3771]
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