Writing Excuses 11.23: The Element of Mystery
Jun 5, 2016
Mystery is a driving force across all fiction genres, captivating readers with its allure. The discussion digs into crafting compelling mysteries, emphasizing the thrill of characters being in the dark while the audience knows more. Stakes are analyzed, showcasing how personal connections enhance tension in cozy mysteries. Listeners are encouraged to explore historical mysteries, like 'Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidant,' while learning the art of planting clues and red herrings. A fun writing exercise challenges aspiring authors to create their own fictional crime scenes.
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Stakes Make A Mystery Compelling
- A mystery needs compelling stakes; a body is common because it creates immediate stakes and implies a villain.
- Howard Tayler notes stakes can be external or arise from making the investigator personally invested.
Mrs Roosevelts Confidant As A Model Mystery
- Mary Robinette Kowal recommends Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidant as a model of classic, well-paced historical mysteries.
- She highlights Maggie Hope, a special agent posing as a typist in 1941, as a charming protagonist example.
Pose A Question With Multiple Plausible Answers
- Design the central question to allow multiple plausible answers so uncertainty drives the plot.
- Howard Tayler emphasizes clues should change conception and point in different directions rather than follow a single chain.
