*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11011
Mystery: October 06, 2021 Issue [#11011]




 This week: Darkness
  Edited by: Aennaytte: Free & Wild in GoT
                             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 light a candle, you also cast a shadow.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.”
― Mark Twain


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B004PICKDS
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Letter from the editor

Darkness


This past summer, I started walking on a track. It is a track that is not attached to a school. Instead, it is open to the public. There is a five-lane running track and a soccer field in the middle. First come first served. Since I started using the track in May, I have come to recognize many of the regulars. There is a whole crew of people who show up regularly at the same time as me.

While I recognize people and I know some of them recognize me, we do not speak to one another. We are strangers to each other. We preserve the mystery of our identities, of our schedules, and why we are there on some days, but not there on other days.

After a couple of months of walking and interval run/walking, I graduated to running three to five miles on those running days. 6 a.m. was the preferred time to get started. In summer, 6 a.m. was already daylight. Now, 6 a.m. is pitch black. When I am at the beginning of the 100 meters straightaway, I can't see who is at the other end. The track is covered in darkness. The identities of the other people on the track are even more mysterious.

I find that I do not enjoy running in pitch black darkness. At that time of day, I am still tired. I don't want to wonder or worry. I just want to run. The mystery of what's in front of me is too thick, too daunting, too much.

What does that have to do with writing?

Mystery writing includes a lot of stories that happen in the night. In the darkness. Victorian mystery stories had the perfect setting. Gaslight casts an eerie shine, but does not truly pierce the darkness. Even bright flashlights are limited to a beam that cuts through darkness.

When you write a mystery scene that happens in the night, ask yourself how far can your characters really see? What can they see. Is what they see real? And if they see someone ... who is it? what does he want? why is one of her arms longer than the other? and why are even black cats grey at night?

Do you fear darkness or do you live in darkness?


Editor's Picks

 What the Darkness Brings  (13+)
A woman has to literaly fight her demons
#2218772 by Tobber

 
STATIC
Mia  (13+)
Sometimes an event can punch a hole to show the darkness beyond. Short Shots March 2019
#2186737 by Kotaro

 A Flicker of Fear  (E)
We've all been in that place at night where arises a Flicker of Fear
#2194165 by jdennis

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#2250005 by Not Available.

 The Reaping  (13+)
Spending the night in my father's house following his death uncovered the darkness within.
#2255293 by McFar

 
STATIC
Fear of Darkness   (E)
A young boy is scared of the dark and loses his favourite toy.
#2228021 by Zhen

 When Darkness Strikes: The beginning  (13+)
A fiction journey that will take the characters to where they never dream existed
#1740686 by Bobo

 
STATIC
The Beacon of Darkness  (E)
A ravenous passion in poetic prose
#2249738 by Dave

The Shadow That Came (2nd. and 3rd.)  (18+)
"What is beyond darkness?" It asked me. (1st. SUPERNATURAL WRITING CONTEST)
#1867995 by ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams

SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest  (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support



 
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: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Ask & Answer

I received this reply to my last Mystery newsletter "Gripping Tales" 

wdwilcox wrote: A very informative newsletter *Cool*

Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.

*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: B083RZ2C5F
Amazon's Price: $ 19.99
Not currently available.

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/action/archives/id/11011