*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters.php/action/archives/id/4951-A-Writers-Guide-to-Murder-Weapons.html
Mystery: March 21, 2012 Issue [#4951]

Newsletter Header
Mystery


 This week: A Writer's Guide to Murder Weapons
  Edited by: darkin
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

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

A blood-curdling scream, a thud in the night, and the distant sound of police sirens...that's what a murder mystery is all about. My name is darkin and I'll be your guest editor for this edition of the Mystery Newsletter.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Letter from the editor

Mystery plots come in many forms: missing persons, lost objects, theft, scams, and, of course, murder mysteries. A popular choice, murder mysteries can be as different as the authors who pen them. But they all have one thing in common.

Someone is killed.

Every murder needs a weapon, either man-made or naturally found. Your choice of weapon will depend largely on your villain's personality and on the kind of mystery you want to write. Murder methods can be broken down into six different types. How you use them is completely up to you.


Firearms
This would be any kind of weapon that uses gunpowder to propel a projectile. There are many different types of guns your villain can use. Most are classified into two major categories.

Handguns
These are weapons designed to be fired with one hand and are easily carried and concealed. Two types of handguns are:
1. Revolvers: These have a revolving cylinder to hold the bullets and can be single or double action.
2. Pistols: These use a removable clip to hold bullets and can be single shot, semiautomatic and fully automatic.


Rifles, Automatic Weapons and Shotguns
These have longer barrels for accuracy, can be single-shot or rapid fire, and are much harder to conceal. A villain using a rifle would have a more difficult time of hiding his weapon while escaping.

Sharp Weapons
This can be any item that can pierce the skin. Knives, scissors, ice picks, and even knitting needles are examples of stabbing weapons that have been used to commit murder in real life. And any of these could be used by your villain to commit his murder.

Poisons
Once thought to be a woman's murder weapon, poisons are making a comeback in murder mysteries. Just about anything hazardous can be used, from man-made cleaners to naturally growing plants. But be sure to research your choice carefully. You do not want to pick a poison that is not deadly or is nearly impossible to get.

Blunt Weapons
Clubs, baseball bats, and pokers are examples of blunt weapons, but pretty much anything your villain can grab can be used. Appliances, small pieces of furniture, and even cookware can be used in your murder mystery.

The Human Body
Do not forget your villain's abilities when plotting your victim's demise. A villain does not have to be a boxer or martial arts master to kill the victim using his hands and feet. But he does have to be somewhat strong to make it convincing.

Regardless of the method you choice for your victim's death, you need to remember that any weapon will leave behind forensic evidence. When you choose your method, be sure to research it thoroughly so your scene is realistic and accurate. Your readers will thank you.


Editor's Picks

Here are some of the things I found while traveling the by-ways of WDC...enjoy!

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1196298 by Not Available.

STATIC
Death at Rosewood Mansion  (13+)
Excerpt from a gossip column about the death of a famous director....
#1136918 by iKïyå§ama-House Targaryen

 
STATIC
Murder Mystery Squeek  (ASR)
The writer is busy writing his story when . . .
#1854968 by Shaara

A Murderer's Memoirs  (18+)
My decathlon entry in the Write Me a Story Contest -- Third Place
#1058909 by InkyDarkness

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1612378 by Not Available.

 NURSERY RHYMES  (13+)
A detective cracks a case thanks to a parrot
#521973 by Joy

Like Water on Fire  (18+)
When nightmares ended, she returned to the blessing of forgetfulness. (HM Classic Story)
#1816201 by ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1595161 by Not Available.

The Werewolf of Sault Ste. Marie  (18+)
Classic Halloween story
#1600012 by George R. Lasher

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1805101 by Not Available.

You had a friend, my dear.  (13+)
Prachi excelled only at studies, she failed at Life, but taught a valuable lesson.
#1544121 by Just an Ordinary Boo!

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1506936 by Not Available.

 Vengeance  (13+)
Evil can sometimes give rise to more evil.
#1548350 by Coffeebean

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Thank you for taking the time to read this issue of the Mystery Newsletter. I hope you found it informative and entertaining. If your muse moves you, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

darkin


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99

Removal Instructions

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.


Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters.php/action/archives/id/4951-A-Writers-Guide-to-Murder-Weapons.html