  Mystery
This week: Edited by: schipperke
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What kind of character are YOU?  |
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Most mystery writers understand a little preparation before actually writing the story will help limit mistakes with plot and make for easier writing later on. Usually, mysteries start with an idea about a murder and a detective, and then proceeds to a plot to get the two together.
But what about your characters? Have you thought about a character outline before you write the actual story?
A character outline, or description, is a useful tool for the writer to keep track of his characters, and to also be able to create a deeper sense of who the person really is. Readers love to learn more about the characters than the superficial color of the hair, or the character’s height and will continue to read on to feel like they are getting to know about the characters.
If you are a fan of Robert Parker’s Spencer series of mysteries, you can imagine what Mr. Parker’s character outline could be like:
Name: Edmund Spencer named after a contemporary of Shakespeare.
Occupation: PI. Past occupations, boxer and policeman.
Girlfriend: Susan Silverman, a feminist and dog lover
Favorite Drink: Blue Moon Ale
Best Friend: Hawk, a shadowy figure-a hit man loyal to Spencer.
Favorite Foods: Spencer is a gourmet cook. Parker includes his recipes in some of his books.
You get the idea. Do we find out all about Spencer in the first book? No, Mr. Parker throws bits and pieces of Spencer’s character and his past life through out the series, so we get to know the character much as you would get to know a friend. It is a great literary device to hook the reader and keep him reading.
Your character outlines can be different for each of your characters, depending on how much detail you feel you need to know before you write.
Basics could include:
Name:
Age:
Physical Characteristics:
Parents:
Childhood events:
Favorite ----- (you fill in the blank):
Pets:
Family:
Friends:
The list could expand to fit this page. I find if I outline a character with more detail before I write, it inspires me to take the plot in places I hadn’t thought of before.
Here is the abbreviated character outline for my protagonist in a ghost story:
Name: Carmen Lucia Williams. Age: 10. Height: 4’5”. Weight: slender. Hair: Muddy brown, thick and wavy. Midlength pageboy cut. Eyes: Brown, and large. Mouth: thin lips. School: Mt. Pleasant Elementary School. Best Friend: her schipperke dog Lilly, who unfortunately just died. Parents: Mom died when she was two. Dad is Peter, scatterbrained academic, kind of clueless about parenting but tries hard. Favorite food: pizza. Hated Food: peas. Siblings: one sister named Eva. See below. Almost died last year, and Carmen still feels neglected. She is a little afraid of her sister. Clothing: wears blue jeans and tee shirts with pictures of dogs or cats on them. Hates dresses, won’t wear nylons (they itch) Music: loves classical music but won’t admit it. Hates rap. Likes her father’s old disco albums.
Now, when I am writing my ghost story and I want to talk about Carmen, I can include one of the details I wrote above, such as getting angry if her sister puts peas on her pizza.
Try writing an outline for your characters the next time you begin a story and you will discover how helpful and useful it can be.
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This one caught me with its wonderful descriptions.
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Hotchic1  :I like the mystery newsletter. Also,I am a beginner writer at this and finished one of my mystery story about a detective who helps a damsal in distress,with a beautiful green sapphire necklace, but the story ends in a love tragedy.
Your story sounds interesting! When it is done, send it as a item for consideration to highlight in an upcoming newsletter.
scribbler :It seems silly not to use other words than said. Does "Can you believe it!" she shrieked, sound better than "Can you believe it?" she said.?
Thanks for sending your comment. Usually, actions speak louder than words, so showing rather than telling usually is more powerful. SHOW me the lady shrieking. Is she pounding her fists on the table while she is speaking? Is she in the other person's face?
Did spittle fly from her mouth as she shrieked?
Of course you can use words other than said, however, you don't want the reader to loose the flow of your piece.
PlannerDan :Great newsletter, Schip. And I was pleased to see my simple story featured. Quite an honor to be included among so many fine writers. Thanks.
You are welcome, Dan. I hope more people take the time to read the items in your wonderful port.
April Sunday :Schip! Wow, this time you outdo yourself. Thanks for these mystery how-to's we don't hear often. Great!
Oh, thanks, Teff! 
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Mystery: March 08, 2006 Issue [#913]
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