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Mystery: July 18, 2012 Issue [#5158]

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Mystery


 This week: Chekhov's Gun
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon 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

Quote for the week: If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there." ~Anton Chekhov


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Letter from the editor

Chekhov's gun is a plot device by which a seemingly unimportant object or character introduced at the beginning of a story becomes important later on. Playwright Anton Checkhov explained the concept by saying a gun introduced early in a story or play must be fired before the end.

Chekhov's statement has been interpreted in two ways, both of which are important in mystery writing:

*Puzzle1*Don't make important items too obvious, but don't bring them in "out of the blue."

In order for Chekhov's gun to work well, you need to plant it in the reader's subconscious mind without making it so obvious that they think, "Oh, this is a clue."

Great examples of how to do this can be found in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. The true significance of some objects and characters introduced in the first books was not revealed until several books later. They were introduced in such a way that they blended into the story without attracting too much attention.

*Puzzle2*Don't include anything unnecessary to the plot.

This is true of any story, but especially mystery stories. Anything that does not advance the plot or paint a picture of the characters should not be included. A skilled author can weave setting and character description into the action without derailing the plot. Of course a mystery also needs red herrings, or false clues designed to distract the reader from the real solution.

Using Chekhov's gun requires some planning, but it can add nice unexpected twists to your story.

Something to try: Search one of your stories for any unnecessary characters, events, or objects. Either give them a more important role or take them out. Remember, red herrings are necessary in a mystery story, but only use as many as you need. If you plant a Chekhov's gun in your story, try to make it do double duty as a piece of setting description. For example, maybe a seemingly innocent piece of furniture or decoration which is present in the story from the beginning could turn out to be the murder weapon.



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Ask & Answer

Question for next month: Do you end your stories by tying everything up neatly, or leave some unanswered questions?

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