Creative Writing III:

What is suspense? What book/TV show/movie do you remember being very suspenseful? Why?

10 Unsolved Mysteries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpFceizsq-w

Any mysteries you know of?

Mystery: A story where information is missing or incomplete Who did it? How did they do it? Why did they do it? When did they do it…etc.?

Detective Fiction: is one of the most popular types of the mystery genre among both children and adults. Detective Fiction is a puzzle that must be solved like a mathematical equation, a musical score, or a scientific experiment.

According to P.D. James, a contemporary mystery writer, the classic detective story usually involves a mysterious death. There is a closed circle of suspects, and each suspect must have a credible motive as well as a reasonable opportunity for committing the crime.

In addition, the central character is a detective who eventually solves the mystery by logical deduction from facts fairly presented to the reader. This classic structure has been the springboard for hundreds of variations on the form. By placing the clues the reader is meant to play detective while reading.

Noir Fiction: A literary genre with a distinction that the protagonist is not a detective, but instead either a victim, a suspect, or a perpetrator. Other common characteristics include the self-destructive qualities of the protagonist.

Dealing with the legal, political or other system that is no less corrupt than the perpetrator by whom the protagonist is either victimized and/or has to victimize others on a daily basis

Usually included a “dame” type female, jazz references, visually associated by shadows

Thrillers: The protagonist is in danger from the outset. Detectives can be included be generally however, the focus is the danger that the audience is aware of.

Suspense Based: The main character may become aware of danger only gradually. In a detective story, the reader is exposed to the same information as the detective, but in a suspense story, the reader is aware of things unknown to the protagonist. The reader sees the bad guy “plant the bomb”, and then suffers the suspense of wondering when or if it will explode.

Categories can mix but plot still has to have a clear mystery being discovered

Foreshadowing: the author’s use of clues to hint at what might happen later in the story.

Suspense: a feeling of anxious uncertainty about the outcome of events in a literary work.

Deduce: to come to a conclusion from something known or assumed.

Induce: to lead or move by persuasion, as to some action or state of mind.

Alibi: an excuse, especially to avoid blame.

Dramatic Irony: when the audience’s or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters.

Appearances Can Be DeceivingSome sleuths receive assistance

from sidekicks who are either paid helpers or friends who help. These sidekicks serve as “sounding boards” for the sleuth to explain how certain bits of detection are done.

Be clear on the steps of how to solve the mystery you are writing about

Fact: Something that cannot be disputed Ex: Mark is dead

Assumption: A guess Ex: Mark was murdered

Inference: A guess based on the facts Ex: Whoever murdered

Mark has something to hide.

Deduce: An educated guess Ex: Mark must have

threatened to tell the killer’s secret

Three Rules of Crime Solving The prime suspect must

have had a reason to commit the crime.

The prime suspect must have had a way to commit the crime.

The prime suspect must have had the chance to commit the crime.

Crime: illegal act that is committed

Clues: pieces of the puzzle that help solve the mystery

Lead: information or clues concerning the case

Interrogate: to ask questions related to the crime

Evidence: something that helps prove who the criminal is

Deduce: using the facts to infer a conclusion

A red herring: is a false clue or lead. The phrase means “camouflage” and comes from the process of curing a herring (type of fish). When a herring is salted and smoked slowly over a wood fire, it turns a dark reddish brown color and gains a strong flavor and scent. The smell is so strong that it overwhelms other scents. According to some old tales, red herrings were pulled across the trail of hounds to confuse and throw them off the trail. Sometimes writers of detective fiction deliberately “fake-out” readers by planting misleading clues—known as red herrings.

How do you read a mystery? Investigate Ask questions What doesn’t fit

Look for: Motive Opportunity Means