  Mystery
This week: Photographic Memory Edited by: Jeff  
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"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
- Carl Sagan
Random Mystery Trivia of the Week: Over the course of his life, Edgar Wallace (born Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace) was a prolific crime writer, journalist, novelist, screenwriter and playwright, authoring over 175 novels and 24 plays. His work has spawned over 160 movies (more than just about any other author), and is perhaps most famously known for co-creating King Kong.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
For those of us who write mysteries, there often comes a point in the narrative when our character has to recall past events. Whether it's a detective investigating a crime, or a criminal trying to pull off a con, memory (and the ability to recall detail) is often an essential skill in our characters' repertoire. And like many things, there are different types and ability levels to memory, the most recognizable of which may be the so-called photographic memory.
More accurately termed eidetic memory (from the Greek word "eidos," meaning "seen"), a photographic memory gets its name from the individual's ability to not just remember things with extraordinary accuracy, but to "see" the image in their mind as easily as it were still in front of them, and can sometimes even extend into the audio spectrum as well. This type of memory (sometimes called visual memory) is different from other types of exceptional memory, which can include any or a combination of natural skill, learned strategies, and an extraordinary knowledge base. In short, a true photographic memory (the ability to recall something in near-perfect detail, as if the person were looking at a photograph in their mind) is extremely rare, although the term is often mis-applied to other examples of exceptional memory.
People who have a generally capable memory often employ mnemonic devices to help them remember; that is, the use of a technique that breaks up or associates information with easy to remember constructs that prompt memory. For example, "Roy G. Biv" as a cue to remember the order of color in the visual spectrum (Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet), or - a few years ago, when Pluto was still classified as a planet - the phrase "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas" to remember the order of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto). A truly eidetic memory, on the other hand, rarely has a need for such mnemonic devices, and will instead recall that information as a visual representation of a diagram seen in a book, or a poster on the wall of a science classroom, recalling with near-perfect detail what was seen by their eyes when that information was first acquired.
While true eidetic memory is extremely rare, there are other well-documented types of exceptional memory:
 Mnemonists - People with this type of exceptional memory have the ability to create long and sometimes complex mnemonic devices that prompt them to recall incredible amounts of information as necessary.
Hyperthymesia - Also called "autobiographical memory," this is the ability to use a mental calendar to recall the events of their past with extraordinary detail. While people with hyperthymesia can often recall important events and the related details like weather, clothing worn, location visited, etc., it is often difficult for them to apply this memory strategy to other subjects, since it's so closely ingrained with the mental calendar in their head.
Savants - Savants are individuals who typically have a developmental disorder which also allows them to excel in one or more areas. The area of exceptional expertise is often tied to interests, hobbies, or have some root in their personal history, and are often exhibited in stark contrast to the other limitations of their developmental disorder.
Emotional Memory - Also called "flashbulb memory," emotional memory is the ability to recall significant personal events vividly, with a high degree of accuracy. Usually the result of shocking or otherwise intense experiences, emotional memory is generally less accurate than photographic memory, but it's forgetting curve (the time it takes for the information to become less prominent or altogether discarded by the mind) is much longer.
Extraordinary Recall - Some people just have good memories. A knack for remembering certain types or even large amounts of facts, figures, and details. This type of memory may not fall into any of the above categories, but could still be above average and/or utilize bits and pieces of the types of memory above. Not everyone with exceptional memory necessarily has a condition or clinical definition. Some people just have a mind for sports scores, random trivia, or varied interests for which the details tend to stick. 
While memory may seem like a strange topic for a mystery newsletter, the character development possibilities of these other types of memory are endless. If a writer only has a general understanding of memory (i.e. is only familiar with the stereotypical "photographic memory") there are only two options for characters - those with a normal memory, and those with a perfect memory. But if you can apply these other types of memories to your characters, you can create some fascinating characters that are somewhere between average and superhuman. Maybe your detective is a savant and has a knack for forensics, but is developmentally challenged with his social skills. Maybe your private investigator is just a normal gal, except for the fact that she remembers anything and everything that ever happened to her (and later realizes that she and her quarry have crossed paths before). Maybe your character has a distinct emotional memory of a traumatic event that allows her to recall bits and pieces of a crucial moment that helps (and hinders) her when it comes into play in the present. Then again, maybe your character is just an average guy with a really annoying knack for remembering all of Leno's opening monologue zingers. 
Just like with most things, I always find that the most interesting people and situations aren't at one extreme or the other, but somewhere in the gray area between. When you're building your next character and you know that memory and recall of events will be an important part of the finale... consider all the different types of memory your character might have, and how they can be both a gift, and a curse.
Until next time,
- Jeff
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This week, I would encourage you to check out the following mystery items:
Milli had lost her best friend, Lilah, to a drunk driving accident in July before her sophomore year. Ever since, she wanted to get out of Anniston and get as far away from everyone she knew there as fast as she could. Milli was supposed to be with Lilah and her older brother the night of the accident. It has haunted her ever since. For months, she couldn't look at anyone from Lilah's family, fore she had felt that the accident was her fault. The war inside her head was never ending.
Where does one go for affirmation / comfort and care / where deeds outweigh adoration / and memories are pleasant and fair
To My dearest Love. I know it's been some time since I've written, you'd be amazed at the things I"m finding here. Unfortunately the government still won't let me tell you, or anyone else what it is. However I will say that if we continue down the path we are on right now, it may be sooner than they think that they will have to tell someone.
Life started simple. Everything was easy. I knew who I was and what I was. Nothing could change unless I wanted it to... Or so I thought.
The day had started innocently enough though I had some strange feelings about it. Little was I to know what a simple smile could do to change my life.
Ever seen someone who just looked like they belonged to a different era? She’s like that. Every movement carries delicacy and I’d rather cut than to say a coarse word in her earshot.
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you could have a truly photographic memory - the ability to recall everything you've seen and heard in perfect, vivid detail - would you want it? Would the benefits of remembering everything be worth the curse of never being able to forget anything?
In response to my last newsletter on villains (the question was about favorite villainous plots/motives):
DB Cooper  writes: "The cable channel LMN airs movies with very simplistic unrealistic plots and worse yet repeats them into oblivion."
Is LMN the Lifetime Movie Network? If so, I know exactly what you're talking about. Lifetime is one of those networks that knows what their core audience likes to see and what has worked for them in the past... and will apply that same story formula again and again and again and again. 
Tornado Dodger  writes: "Great NL Jeff! It's always nice to give writers suggestions on how to improve but you've really given them a real how-to with this piece that can really be put to good use. I love your random trivia and look forward to it in all of your editions.  "
Aww, thanks Brooke!
Beck Firing back up!  writes: "For my, my favorite villainous plots are ones that involve a slight tweak in a person's mind... something along the psychological thriller vein. The villan truly believes that what he/she is doing is right - but to the "normal" world, it's completely unacceptable. I like to read stories where they villan is obviously warped, but it leads me to wonder.... why do some minds handle certain things (let's say, a terrible childhood or some other traumatic situation), while others tend to "go over the edge". What's the difference in genetics, and what would by breaking point be? Those, to me, are awesome tales!"
I'm with you... the psychology of why we do what we do (and why different people react differently to similar situations) fascinates me. It just goes to show that of all the complex, complicated things in this world, human behavior is one of the toughest to figure out.
Marysue5252  writes: "My fave plots/motives are ones with a twist to them--something unusual in them in some way. such as Tony Hillerman's Navaho sidebar. Ludlum's endings are far too predictible to bother with."
I definitely need to check out Tony Hillerman. I've read a couple Ludlum novels and agree that the endings can sometimes be a little predictable. Thank you for writing in!
Maverick writes: "Respected Editor, I am new to Writing.com and still browsing through the various exciting items on your website. I wish to present few of my writings for your valuable comments and review. Awaiting your kind response in this regard, Maverick"
Hi Maverick. Always happy to take a look at some of your writings. If they're related to the mystery genre, you can submit them via this newsletter. If they're related to another newsletter genre, you can submit them through those newsletters... and of course you can always go here to ask for feedback on your work: "Please Review" . Hope this helps; welcome to Writing.Com and thanks for writing in!
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Mystery: May 11, 2011 Issue [#4385]
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