Mystery: October 27, 2010 Issue [#4042] |
Mystery
This week: Happy Hauntings Edited by: Jeff More Newsletters By This Editor
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
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
- Carl Sagan
Random Mystery Trivia of the Week: The series of thriller novels featuring former American Military Policeman (MP) Jack Reacher wandering the United States is written by Lee Child, the pseudonym of British novelist Jim Grant. |
ASIN: 197380364X |
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Amazon's Price: $ 15.99
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HAPPY HAUNTINGS!
Ah, Halloween... the time of the year where spooks and specters roam the streets; where ghouls and goblins terrorize the night. Halloween is - without question - the best holiday for mystery. Sure, a close second and third might by the mysteries of an egg hunt, or how a fat guy manages to fit down your chimney and deliver presents all over the world, but you can't match Halloween for the sheer atmosphere of mystery, suspense, and horror.
This Halloween, let your muse run wild. Whether you're trick-or-treating with the family, going to a costume party, or even staying at home to hand out candy to the little (and not so little ones) in the neighborhood, look everywhere around you for inspiration. Maybe that one house in the neighborhood that goes all out with the decorations gives you an idea for a story. Or a particularly creative costume from one of the kids. Use All Hallow's Eve - the night that everyone dresses up and lets their darker side out for a while - as an opportunity to find inspiration for your writing.
Like any holiday, Halloween evokes a certain feeling in an audience. The winter holidays bring feelings of good cheer, family togetherness... and last minute shopping panic. The Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans' Day often draws feelings of patriotism. Valentine's Day is all about the love. It's not surprising that many love stories take place around Valentine's Day ... or that feel good family movies often center around coming home for the holidays. Even if you're not feeling particularly inspired around the end of October from a calendar standpoint, consider setting a story during Halloween. Just like Christmas stories predispose us to feel all warm and fuzzy... Halloween stories predispose us to be on our toes, and expect tricks, scares and frights. Consider setting your next story around the Halloween holiday.
Halloween is such a versatile, fun, and creative holiday... whether in your own real life or in your fiction, give it a chance to shine. Get your readers into the Halloween spirit by giving them a chilling mystery worthy of this fall holiday season!
Until next time... Happy Haunting!
- Jeff |
This week, I would encourage you to check out the following mystery items:
You are running. You do not know what the place is; but it is dark, cavernous. You don’t feel afraid. No, you pump your feet and keep on running. From what or to where, you do not know; neither do you care. You do not think much; you only run.
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1554661 by Not Available. |
Next to his car in the small lot was a old dark blue pickup. He thought... That’s the truck! I know that is the pickup. His heart raced, sweat formed upon his upper lip. Then he had a flashback….. He remembered the smashed driver’s side mirror on the pickup, because just up the road after that; they spotted the strange man, along with Sue‘s car, and the body. Why didn’t I think of that when questioned by police? He stood deep in thought by his car.
| | On The Loose (18+) A man terrorises a neighborhood stabbing people to death.only the Jackal can stop him #1718576 by jamie |
Peter Rotman had been a journalist for many years. He had served for the Royal Navy before and had several honours to his name. Recently he had been writing a story on a chap called Ben Rodgers who had shot a man dead in a local park and had escaped from prison. Many people believed he was still in the neighborhood somewhere, hiding. But Peter Rotman thought that this was proposterous.
It had been rolling around in his head all morning. All during the trip accross town on the bus, and the walk to the building he now found himself staring at. He was unsure as to why he had applied for this particular job. True, he was broke. And desperate, almost. It had been a while since he'd been employed in anything worthwhile. But Private Investigator?
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While on a road-trip you run out of gas and find yourself stranded in the middle of a forest. Upon searching the forest you discover an abandoned camp where you decide to rest in a barn on a rainy night.
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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
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ASIN: 197380364X |
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Amazon's Price: $ 15.99
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In response to my last newsletter on mystery as a flexible genre:
BIG BAD WOLF is Merry writes: "One of the greatest mysteries is Why. Why did he do it? Why did I do what I did? And Why do brothers fight all the time?"
"Why" is always a great question... I couldn't agree more.
Kris D'Amato writes: "Well, I guess this would fall in the mystery category... It's a recurrent dream I used to have, and the meaning of it all is quite mysterious, even to me."
Happy to feature your item in this week's newsletter!
Adriana Noir writes: "Good stuff, Jeff! Another informative and highly entertaining newsletter. Everything should hold a little hint of mystery, no?"
Thanks, Adriana! If variety is the spice of life, then mystery is definitely the... hot sauce? I never was very good at coining a phrase.
mikeypugs0134 writes: "This is my first mystery short story... I hope you enjoy it..."
Happy to feature your item in this week's newsletter!
Brooke writes: "Mystery isn't just a genre, or a section in the fiction department of a bookstore. It's a set of tools and devices that you can use in your writing. Excellent advice and I couldn't agree more. It's fun to mix genres and it also adds depth to your story and the characters. As always, enjoyed this NL Jeff - keep up the great editorials. ~ B"
Thanks, Brooke! I always appreciate your kind words and support. |
ASIN: B07YJZZGW4 |
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