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Mystery: April 14, 2021 Issue [#10710]




 This week: Murder Mysteries: Crime or Suspense
  Edited by: Lilith of House Martell
                             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

When you search for a book to read, do genre labels drive your choices? They certainly affect mine. If I’m in a puzzle-solving mood, it’s off to the mystery section to look for a murder story! Sometimes I end up with a crime story, other times suspense. Both have different appeals and this newsletter will look at each.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

We all love stories; reading and writing them. And it turns out that some of the stories we love best are murder mysteries; stories about death and mayhem. So, let’s take a closer look at what’s involved and some differences between crime and suspense.

*Gembl* MURDER
The first requirement of a murder mystery is a murder. Someone is going to have to die, sorry but it is what it is.

Crime stories: the body is discovered early on and the story revolves around solving the crime. A character (either officially or unofficially) undertakes to solve the murder and bring the murderer to justice.

Suspense stories: the murder is anticipated. Suspense is not so much what is happening, as what may happen. It’s about anticipation, often anticipating the worst. It is about creating an uncertain situation in which the outcome is in doubt. Suspense depends on stretching time – delaying answers as long as possible.

*Gembl* SECRETS
Both sub-genres have secrets! Some secrets might include concealing a character’s true identity, creating small chains of revelations, and presenting events without immediate explanation.

Crime stories: we know very few or none of the secrets. With a crime story, the reader is exposed to the same information as the detective. We keep reading to look for clues and motives. It’s about solving the puzzle. Who did it? Why did they do it (motive)?

Suspense stories: we know half the secrets and the characters know none. When the reader knows more about what’s happening or may happen, the reader becomes concerned for the character; empathy builds. Will the characters live or die? We root for the characters and sometimes yell at them, “Don’t go in there!”, “Turn around!”, or “Don’t trust him!”.

*Gembl* Why this information is helpful:
If you don’t know the elements needed for a specific genre (or subgenre), you won’t reach the right audience. The mystery genre contains a variety of subgenres. When you are clear about the required elements, you’re prepared to write a story that appeals to the right readers.


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2219931 by Not Available.

STATIC
His Mother's Eyes  (13+)
A dying old man confesses everything to his son
#867807 by W.D.Wilcox

STATIC
The Flight Of The Ashes  (13+)
A young woman tries to come to terms with her past
#600812 by Tiggy-Cheers for House Martell

STATIC
An Unthinkable Act  (18+)
Officer Jim McCall is pushed to his limits — for June 2017 Quotation Inspiration
#2123886 by Christopher Roy Denton

A DIRTY T-SHIRT IN CHURCH  (E)
A landscaper is compelled to attend mass while on the job.
#2030077 by Donkey Hoetay

 
STATIC
The Fortune Teller  (E)
An eclectic fortune teller divines the death of a cheating husband with a smile.
#2247256 by SJ Longtaile

STATIC
The Rat  (E)
Sometimes things are not what they seem. (~1095 words.)
#2235956 by Nightkeeper

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer


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