tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post7621834637841294080..comments2024-03-18T04:40:38.214-05:00Comments on Murderous Musings: Preparing for MurderChester Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155257451021065218noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-16165041725869710802010-12-15T21:45:51.796-06:002010-12-15T21:45:51.796-06:00Nice list. And Jean and Hard-Boiled Mysti, I like ...Nice list. And Jean and Hard-Boiled Mysti, I like your additions.<br /><br />I don't have an amateur sleuth, but I'm working on a new PI novel, and the questions of theme and how the events play on the character's fears are integral.Jaden Terrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11113218513166921429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-45572214157214057212010-12-12T18:13:54.275-06:002010-12-12T18:13:54.275-06:00Very good list. My favorite question as a writer (...Very good list. My favorite question as a writer (my favorite brain game) is the tried and true, "What if...?"Jackie Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14795286284711563604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-85407945060382471282010-12-12T12:54:44.490-06:002010-12-12T12:54:44.490-06:00Hi June. That's a great list. I would also ad...Hi June. That's a great list. I would also add that when writing a traditional mystery, I try to make sure that I've given enough clues and red herrings for the reader to deduce who the villain is, at the moment I want them to make that determination.Cindy Samplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00332764051705819027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-58621783975447612212010-12-12T10:40:34.240-06:002010-12-12T10:40:34.240-06:00Great list! I also ask:
-- How does the theme re...Great list! I also ask:<br /><br />-- How does the theme resonate in the action of the story. Example: Maltese Falcon, every character is betrayed by and betraying at least one other person, except Wilmer, who gets nothing but abuse for his loyalty. Themes of morality, trust, etc. <br /><br />-- How does the story "bang" on main character's worst fears? Example: Easy Rawlins is afraid of slipping back into the life he was forced to accept before the war in Devil in a Blue Dress. Everything that happens in the story directly or indirectly threatens to take his house and everything else away from him.<br /><br />These aren't specific to mystery, but they are easily forgotten when trying to fill plot holes and misdirect readers. I also use them as a guide for what to cut out and what to add in during developmental edits.<br /><br />Thanks for a great list!Mystihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07635298177146419014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-49833139944058437322010-12-11T10:21:30.700-06:002010-12-11T10:21:30.700-06:00Ah, good question, Jean. Thanks!Ah, good question, Jean. Thanks!June Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11634658458716422436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-3832225821735679402010-12-11T09:24:41.952-06:002010-12-11T09:24:41.952-06:00You've covered the subject well, June. I might...You've covered the subject well, June. I might add: why do amateur sleuths get involved in solving the murder(s).Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.com