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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9254-The-Key-to-Avoiding-Loose-Ends.html
Mystery: November 28, 2018 Issue [#9254]




 This week: The Key to Avoiding Loose Ends
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean 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

It is my honor and privilege to grace your inboxes this week. I do hope that you are able to find something useful in what I have to share. *Smile*

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Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

The Key to Avoiding Loose Ends

Mysteries are amazing! But they can be confusing if there are loose ends left untied. This is one way to avoid them.


Have you ever started reading a mystery, love it all the way through, but then get to the end and you still have questions hanging around?

*Bullet* What happened to this Larry the butcher?
*Bullet* Why was Cynthia even in the story?
*Bullet* Wait, did they find the knife? I don't remember them finding the knife...

Mysteries have so many different strings and rabbit trails and pieces, it's really easy to forget to put something when trying to tie up the story. So, let's talk about one way you can be sure all loose ends are tied up.

OUTLINES


I think outlines are widely underused. They can be used to organize ideas, keep your story line intact, and keep your story from going in a direction you didn't want it to (though sometimes the story does know best).

You don't necessarily need a traditional outline to keep your mystery in line. Maybe "list" would be a better term for my suggestion.

*Bullet* Each time a new character is introduced, write them down so you remember to make them well rounded and have a purpose in the story.
*Bullet* If a piece of the mystery is revealed, write that down to make sure you give it a conclusion.
*Bullet* Make a list of everything needed to make your mystery tick before you get started (weapon, suspects, original crime, consequences of crime, list of characters, etc.)

Then check each one off as they are tied into a nice little bow in your story.


Editor's Picks

Here are a few of the newest mystery items on the site (or recently edited). Remember to leave some feedback for these writers. Are all of their loose ends tied into pretty little knots so there are no unanswered questions?

 The Aggravator Open in new Window. (E)
Nine-year-old Jeremy has a strange confrontation one night.
#2175701 by Ted Author IconMail Icon


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🏆 Another Task for Millie Open in new Window. (E)
Filled with many mysterious clues, where will the tattered journal take Millie next? (1st)
#2155082 by 🎼 RRodgersWrites 🎶 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2124531 by Not Available.


 The Mystery of Stony Lane Open in new Window. (ASR)
This story is a lateral thinking puzzle, a murder mystery, and a horror story combined.
#2044392 by Creative Writer Author IconMail Icon


 
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STATIC
A Favor Open in new Window. (18+)
A Favor or How I Lost a Pair of Hand Cuffs. Word Count: 778 [Updated]
#2146832 by Espinado Author IconMail Icon


 Promises Open in new Window. (18+)
A detective is suspicious of an easy job. Words: 999, A Writer's Cramp Winner - 2017-11-22
#2141283 by Espinado Author IconMail Icon


 People are Weird Open in new Window. (18+)
PI gets hired to do a simple job.
#2137615 by Espinado Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer


This newsletter's question: How do you make sure all of your loose ends are tied up? Share with the readers if you have a different strategy.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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