|
Excellent Resources For
Creative Writing Tips As
Of
... |
|
|
| |
|
|
Here is the first of five articles taken from my lecture series, "Subtle Writing Techniques Used in Creating a Successful Mystery Novel." This series is designed to explain the working methods of the mystery/suspense writer, offering insight and understanding into the technical process of writing.
Reading a good mystery novel is a lot like horseback riding. At times you’re cautiously slow walking; sometimes you’re head-bobbling-wobbling trotting; while other times you’re whooshing along on a take-your-breath-away gallop. This variety of pace is a key element that contributes to the thrill and excitement of the ride. Another is fear. (What if I fall off the damn horse?)
In keeping with this same image, mystery writing becomes somewhat like laying out a course for the rider. The author must include an array of terrains to make the ride interesting and somewhat challenging. There has to be grassy hills to climb and soft, sloping landscapes to descend. There must be twists and turns and tree laden paths as well as long, smooth straight-aways for blazing gallops.
|
*Check out the
valuable,
time-saving and
free resources
on this page for
more resources
on Free Novel Writing Software
and other poetry
related links....
| |
|
To accomplish all this, writers use an assortment of subtle and not-so-subtle techniques that will enhance their story-telling and add the necessary oomph required for a successful mystery/suspense yarn. From the many subtle techniques available, I consider these five to be amongst the highest on the importance scale.
1) Characters Speak to the Reader: This is easy when the story is written in the first person, but what about novels written in the third person? Can a protagonist speak directly to the reader if the tale is narrated? You bet they can. How? By using what I call, peripheral speech.
In the same way as it’s possible for us to see objects within a 90 degree radius when staring straight ahead, so too can a character in a novel speak to the reader while speaking to other characters. Let me illustrate. In Dying For Deception, my protagonist, Detective William Gillette, heads up a task force assigned to thwart a serial killer who’s been murdering women with red hair. On page 23, he addresses a group of officers on his team who he’s meeting for the first time. Pay special attention to the technique I’ve just described.
|
*For more helpful
information and
links on Free Novel Writing Software,
save time by using
the resources
available on this
site and other poet
related sites....
|
|
|
“You don’t know me—not yet anyway— but I expect we’ll get to know each other pretty well while this investigation is going on. For starters, I’d like to let you in on a little secret and tell you a little something about myself. You see, I’m a persistent bastard when it comes to murderers. I won’t let this guy continue for very long. In fact, I’m prepared to do just about anything to bring him in. Anything! I will not rest, I will not compromise and I will not concede until our end has been accomplished.”
I hope, with this small illustration, you can get a sense of what I mean. Gillette is talking to his team, but he’s also revealing himself to you, the reader, so that you’ll want to follow him and help solve the crime. There are other examples of this technique employed in Dying For Deception. Why not try looking for them.
|
|
Gerard F Bianco
Gerard Bianco is the author of the mystery novel, Dying For Deception. He was born and raised in Broolyn, New York. Smoky pool halls, Irish bars, and Italian social clubs are some of the local hangouts that have influenced his writing. In addition to being an author, he is also an accomplished artist, jewelry designer and manufacturer. Visit his website, http://www.dyingfordeception.com.
Sign up for his free Mystery Newsletter.
mainemystery@aol.com
Information, Facts and Resources
About
Subtle Writing Techniques of the Mystery Writer
Courtesy of
Free Novel Writing Software
*Commentary: The
Commentary sections, if any, are provided
as additional information for
the reader by the publisher, and
are not part of the original
content of the article by Gerard F Bianco, and
therefore do not represent
the author's opinion or advice. |
|
|
Find more articles for
Creative Writing Tips by
Gerard F Bianco and
other experts in
the online
article
directory
resource that
lets you easily
and quickly
search in the
title for
information on
your search
words.
Hopefully this
article
has helped you get the
facts you were looking
for. However, if you want to
do more research on your
search topic, check some of
the other valuable
resources
listed on this page or use
the search boxes
below.
|
|
To
search
the
Creative Writing Tips
Article Database
on this
site use
the
first
search
box
below...to
use
Google,
use the
Google
Search.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Creative Writing Tips
Related
Resources
And News |
|
|
| |
|
