 Mystery: December 07, 2016 Issue [#8016] |
  Mystery
This week: Different Ways to Tell Your Story Edited by: Marci Missing Everyone  
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Hello!
I'm Marci and I'm your guest editor this week. Many of you might know me for my poetry writing, but did you know I also write romantic suspense/thriller novels? This week we will discuss how to find a good twist for your mystery!
“Follow the evidence to where it leads, even if the conclusion is uncomfortable.” ― Steven James, The Knight
“Even if you know you're sleeping, you're still at the mercy of your dreams. People who are asleep can't simply decide to wake up. Nightmares don't let you off that easily. They hold you in their clutches until they decided, in their own good time, to let you go.”
― Steven James, Blur
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I got some great feedback from the last Mystery Newsletter. I, like many of you, got a great many reviews and critiques that told me what I needed to do, but not how to do it. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback. You made my week!
Now, on to writing a fantastic mystery! I have had the privilege of sitting in a conference where author Stephen James was one of the main speakers. This man is an amazing storyteller. And while I will not reveal any of his secrets, I will tell you what I personally learned from him… There is more than one way to tell a story.
It doesn’t matter if you are writing a novel or a short story, you always want to make it interesting and have that surprise twist at the end. When you write a mystery, you must leave clues all along the way… I get that. But before you write your story, here is a great exercise for you to try. Write down three possible ways to give your story a different twist.
When I was a kid, one of the scariest stories I heard at campfires and parties was the story of Bloody Mary. You know the one. Go into the bathroom and turn out the lights. Turn around three times while saying “Bloody Mary” three times. And then she is supposed to appear in the mirror. Now, what happens from there varies all across the country. But let’s say she doesn’t appear in the mirror. Let’s change this ending.
1. Bloody Mary appears later in your nightmares until she drives you insane.
2. Bloody Mary possesses you or someone else in your circle and wreaks havoc.
3. Bloody Mary goes on a murderess rampage because you released her from her mirror prison.
Now see how the change can actually be a catalyst for a whole new story.
But this is only the beginning. You need to decide where to take the story from here. Pick one of the ideas above and decide where the story goes next by putting down three different ideas. I’m going to start with the first one. “Bloody Mary appears later in your nightmares until she drives you insane.”
1. She appears to you whenever you do something bad.
2. She appears every night until you can get no sleep.
3. She appears when you get angry with someone and she kills them in your dreams and in real life.
If you keep doing this with the other two ideas, then you not only have three possible twists, but you have nine. You can do this as far out you want until you’ve taken it the point of a great story. Of course, it depends on how long your story will be. I like to as “what if” questions when I write. But we also like to ask “what happens next” questions. Both things will help you get your story going in an interesting direction. And be sure, that when you ask these questions, you try to go someplace new and exciting. This will keep your readers coming back for more!
Until next time… Live, Laugh, and Write! 
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After I wrote my newsletter, I found these pieces from a recent contest. How appropriate!
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Christmas Horror? How bold... great twists!
Christmas Mysteries! My favorite!!!
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Feedback from the last Mystery Newsletter! Thanks again for all your wonderful comments.
DB Cooper
You made my day. God Bless You!
Quick-Quill 
This is a great NL! You did a wonderful job describing just what to do and how to do it. *Thumbs up* for a great instructional piece.
dragonwoman 
Sasha stopped. Footsteps with their soft echoes came closer. Spurred to action, she ran for her car and safety, but a masked man stepped in front of her. What now?
Great job!!!
willwilcox
Very cool newsletter 
Cheri Annemos 
Marci, I love the November 30 edition of the Newsletter. I am sick to death of show don't tell critiques and did not get what was wrong until I read this newsletter. Thank you, this edition is fantastic. The simple exercise made a big impact. The penny dropped.
Thanks again, everyone!
Next time, show me the steps used above to get you to a unique story! |
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