  Mystery
This week: Smoke and mirrors Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
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
Quote for the week: Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.
~Ludwig Borne |
| ASIN: B01FST8A90 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
|
Amazon's Price: $ 24.95
|
|
Have you ever watched a stage magician perform, and wonder how he performed his tricks? You know that the beautiful assistant couldn't have really vanished before your eyes, but it sure seemed as if she did, right?
While few magicians will ever reveal exactly how they perform their illusions, it often comes down to either concealment or misdirection. Traditional devices of concealment or misdirection include smoke and mirrors.
Smoke is a special effect that adds drama to a magician's performance, but is also a method of concealing what is really happening on the stage. When a person appears to vanish in a puff of smoke, the smoke obscures the activity of stage hands and assistants as they move objects, open trap doors, or leave the stage. Any loud noise that accompanies the puff of smoke also serves to conceal sounds the crew might make as they preform the illusion.
Strategically placed mirrors confuse the audience and misdirect their attention. Events that appear to be taking place on one part of the stage might actually be a reflection of something that is happening on another part. Mirrored walls might also cause the performance area to appear bigger than its true dimensions. Special effects mirrors, such as those in a carnival fun house, can distort the sizes and shapes of objects.
Some times a mystery writer needs to create illusions with verbal smoke and mirrors. While a stage magician never wants audiences to be able to figure out how he performs his illusions, a good mystery writer needs to leave clues for the readers. The clues need to be presented in such a way that the reader has a chance to figure out the solution without being too obvious. Like a magician, the writer can do this by using concealment and misdirection.
Here are some ways of creating a smoke screen:
 Physically hiding objects (or bodies!)
 Information in code or an encrypted computer file.
 Conditions that make it hard to see. Here you might include a literal smoke screen, darkness, heavy rain, or snow.
Misdirection is a little trickier. The information must be visible, but presented in such a way that it blends in to the background or seems unimportant. Here are some examples:
An ever present, but seemingly harmless character turns out to be guilty. Examples include service personnel, city employees, elderly neighbors, overly helpful witnesses, or even children. Alternately, you could have a character who seems very questionable actually be innocent.
A villain might cause a disturbance in one area to distract the police, and then carry out his crime in another area.
A missing object might be hidden in plain sight. Thieves might be removing stolen goods in wheelbarrows filled with trash for example.
Something to try: Write a mystery story in which the criminal is a master at deceiving or misdirecting investigators.
|
| | Retreat (13+)
When you're retired and the world is coming to an end...
#2065557 by Chris24  |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2056460 by Not Available. |
|
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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
|
|
| Question for next time: What mystery story's solution surprised you the most? |
| ASIN: 0996254145 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
Mystery: January 27, 2016 Issue [#7442]
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
