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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/652-.html
Mystery: October 12, 2005 Issue [#652]

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Mystery


 This week:
  Edited by: schipperke
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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

This week's mystery newsletter brought to you by schipperke

Prompts? Prompts? I don't need no stinkin' prompts to write a mystery!


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Letter from the editor

Have you ever wanted to enter a contest on Writing.com and not entered because you couldn’t think of an idea for a story? Do you need prompts to write your mysteries? Do you stare at your computer screen, your mind thinking about dinner instead of plot? Let me tell you what I do when I am at a loss for a novel inspiration...

Every story begins with an idea. The everyday world is full of prompts to get your mind working toward the next great mystery plot. I bet you could write a mystery just be observing common occurrences in your own home.

In the morning, the paperboy delivers a plethora of potential ideas to your front door. Open the paper, and begin to delve into the stories of the day. Take a headline, twist it a little, ask some questions, and you may have your own mystery prompt.

Here is an example: Headline reads: Congress Debates Potential Bird Flu Pandemic. With this headline, you could develop several ideas for a mystery story. Maybe your detective is a forensic detective, who finds out the government is secretly developing a bird flu strain to infect ‘unwanted’ people. Or maybe someone steals the formula for the cure for bird flu, and your heroine has to figure out who stole it and retrieve it to save the world!

The comics can provide a source of potential plots. Maybe there is a comic killer who puts clues into Calvin and Hobbs comic strips. Maybe he arranges his victims to mimic the Doonsbury strip.

If newspapers aren’t interesting to you, you could always power up your notebook computer and look at news online. News of the Bizzare, Strange News, and even regular news could keep you in plot ideas for a lifetime.

Coffee in the morning could spark an idea. What if a coffee cartel put the squeeze on the world and demanded a hundred dollars a pound for coffee? What would coffee addicts do to get their coffee?

Drink your coffee, read the newspaper and pop onto the 'net and you will never be at a loss for mystery story ideas.

When you think of something interesting, grab your notebook and jot down the headline or idea that caught your eye. When you start to stare at your computer screen in frustration, trying to think of an idea for a mystery story, grab your notebook and think, “What if...?”



Editor's Picks

schipperke's PICKS OF THE WEEK


*Reading*
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#1017198 by Not Available.

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Image Protector
BOOK
The Magic Fiddle Open in new Window. (13+)
The old antique dealer warned Mara she would be back within a month to return the fiddle.
#1014238 by Cubby Author IconMail Icon

*Reading*
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#1012021 by Not Available.

*Reading*
 Mystery Island- First place winner Open in new Window. (13+)
Beware the Red Flowers!
#1001827 by Drake Silverwing Author IconMail Icon

*Reading*
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#325741 by Not Available.

*Reading*
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#740104 by Not Available.


 
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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

schipperke's Reader Feedback


Silver is 2 to the 5th Power Author IconMail IconGreat newsletter! Here's an idea for a dog-related mystery...the dog is the detective's seeing-eye dog!
That is a very good idea! Maybe one of our readers can use it. Better yet, why don't you, and send it to me to read??*Smile*

billwilcoxSchipper!
Just a dog of a newsletter...LOL. Thank you for pointing out that our four legged friends can make wonderful characters.
They are characters! Mine is sleeping on my foot right now as I type!

PlannerDan Author IconMail IconSchip, great newsletter. I think it takes real talent to make a pet the main character of a story. You must be creative in how dialogue is used and it seems you have to work a little harder at developing relationships between the characters. I suppose that is what makes it so pleasing when it is done really good.
Thanks, Dan. My pet is the main character of my life. Aside from my husband, of course..

Nikola~Thankful Library Lady Author IconMail IconAs I read your editorial, all I could think about was how my dogs would be the criminals!
~Nikola
My dog ate the mini blinds this weekend. I guess he needs some time in the clink! *Wink*


Tell me about a common household occurrance that inspires you to write.


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