*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9919-Dark-tribute.html
Mystery: December 18, 2019 Issue [#9919]




 This week: Dark tribute
  Edited by: Arakun the Twisted Raccoon
                             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

Quote for the week: "Love is a wonderful thing, my dear, but it leaves you wide open for blackmail."
~Jasper Fforde


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 1945043032
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Letter from the editor

Imagine that you have a secret, a terrible secret that will destroy your life if exposed. You think you are safe, but one day you receive a message "I know what you did." Will the person reveal your secret? Or will they make you pay for their silence?

Dictionary.com defines blackmail as the action (treated as a criminal offense) of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them. The word blackmail basically means "dark tribute." It originates with a 16th century Scottish term for tribute paid to warlords and chiefs in exchange for protection.

Because blackmail is rooted in secrecy, it fits in to mystery stories perfectly. The blackmail might be the central mystery, and the story might revolve around discovering the identity of the blackmailer or finding a way to stop them. In other stories, blackmail might serve as a motive for a more serious crime, such as murder.

Blackmail is often associated with money, but the blackmailer in your story might coerce their victim into providing anything of value, such as a job or promotion. A teacher might be blackmailed into giving passing grades or other academic awards. A blackmailer who is also a stalker might force an unwilling victim into marriage or divorce. The victim might even be forced to commit murder for the blackmailer or commit suicide to protect loved ones.

Emotional blackmail is the use of fear, obligation, and guilt to coerce someone in a relationship to do something they don't want to do. Examples include a controlling mother who "guilt trips" her children into visiting her or a husband who threatens suicide if his wife leaves him. While emotional blackmail can have terrible results for the victim, it may or may not be a crime, depending on what the victim is forced to do.

Something to try: Write a mystery story where blackmail is the central crime.


Editor's Picks

STATIC
Nothing to Lose   (13+)
An odd woman offers Gloriana a murky alternative.
#2009577 by Nixie Martell cheerleader


BOOK
The Magic Fiddle  (13+)
The old antique dealer warned Mara she would be back within a month to return the fiddle.
#1014238 by Cubby~Cheering House Florent!


STATIC
Mirror, Mirror   (E)
What woke me up?
#2105067 by WakeUpAndLive️~🚬🚭2024


19th Anniversary Cop Shop Mystery  (13+)
The ending to the mystery of the librarian hostage at the Founder's Day Celebration.
#2201825 by Schnujo is Late to Lannister


The Universe is a Rubik's Cube  (13+)
I just wanted the girl I lost back.
#1583306 by Kotaro

 
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: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What topics would you like to see in future mystery newsletters?

*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: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99

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/action/archives/id/9919-Dark-tribute.html