This week: Mystery Slumped Edited by: Carol St. Ann 20yrs (06-26)  
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Hello. My name is Carol St.Ann. I joined WDC in September of 2006, and I write for this newsletter once a month. This year, 2026, I plan to focus on ideas, development, and craft with a hard lean toward publication, be it, magazine, anthology, local paper, contest-win, or self.
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I've been in a bit of a slump, so I read other writers. This time seeking ideas on ideas. Of course there's always an encyclopedia's worth of great advice to be found. Thought I'd summarize seven specific ideas penned by writer/author Laurence Levy, in his 2020 short essay.
"Except for certain structural requirements, there is no set way to develop a good mystery story. But there are sources and methods which inspire and provide jumping off points. The rest is up to the writer’s creativity and enthusiasm.
Let's get to it.
1. Research – He's not suggesting you should write about a real murder but points out writers, for the most part, have vivid imaginations. It's a logical assumption research would stimulates that part of the brain, resulting in questions like, “What if this happened instead, and then... ” It's more probable than possible a story is birthed that bears little to no resemblance to the research that inspired it.
2. Be Unpredictable – Levy states he, like most of us mystery buffs, I presume, is anxious to figure out where the story is going. I know I'm initially thrilled when I'm right, but then let down because the thrill is gone. And anxiously surprised when I'm wrong. We must write as though our readers feel the same. Therefore, we need to throw in what Levy refers to as “story curveballs” at the conclusion of each chapter.
3. The WHN – Bottom line here is if you successfully structured number 2 and have your readers guessing, they will be asking what happens next. You want them on the edge of their seats, wondering when the next surprise might come. Here's Levy's thoughts on this part. (My favorite in the entire essay.) "If a writer can’t completely avoid predictability, then s/he must match each predictable event with something completely unexpected." Don't you love that?!
4. Use Your Life – We've all had moments of fear or confusion over deaths or odd disappearances that left or leave our overactive imaginations in a state of overdrive. Levy states, "That can be a good jumping off point." In fact he reminds us that Steven King has made a career out of referencing universal childhood fears.
5. Socialize – It's a given, the more people we meet or encounter, the more diverse and well developed characters we'll create. We can't know until it happens, how another person’s life experiences may set off our flowing creative juices.
6. Travel – Meeting people. from the next town over, or across the sea often inspire with their accents, dialects, slang, twang, drawl, even the things they fret or find laughable, from different cultures, or just culinary delights not only adds to your wealth of enriched character development and choices, but also might provide story ideas you'd otherwise never imagined.
7. Don't write for others; Trust your gut – If you're excited about it, forget all the rest. Write it. And enjoy every minute of it. You will never regret having written that one.
I hope you found this interesting and helpful.
See you next month.
Carol St.Ann 
Remember to nominate great Mysteries
| | The Quills (ASR) The Quills home page. General information, links and donations. |
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Need a little help getting that mystery onto the page?
Work with fellow authors, here:
If you prefer to work on your own, 15-minute daily task ideas can be found here here:
A few good reads!
| | | The Hole Truth (18+) Sam's filling a hole in his garden and his neighbors suspect foul play |
|  | Malice Intended (ASR) Who is the slapdash, foolish criminal behind a crime scene in a hotel? |
| | | High Stakes (13+) A young woman accused of witchcraft must solve a crime before she's burned at the stake. |
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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
What is your best and most interesting place of inspiration for writing a mystery?
If you have read this far, and care to take the time to answer my question, and sincerely (with intent, no fakery) review any one of the five stories listed above, there's an MB of your choice with your name on it just itchin' to live in your port.  |
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Mystery: March 18, 2026 Issue [#13643]
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