I've never written a mystery--they seem too difficult to construct--but I have tremendous respect for all of you who bravely tackle this genre. So here is a genre wordcount graph for you to join:
To be added to the graph, just post below one of your fiendishly clever plot twists and/or a dramatic snippet from your novel.
Thanks!
--Tim
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Tim Yao aka NewMexicoKid
co-ML, Illinois::Naperville
Fog Readability Analysis
Writing resources
61,935 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 09 46
Without giving too much away, my gypsy kidnapper loses about six hours from his memory and awakens in a new location. He's been abducted & then released. Or has he? And why?
----------_________________________
Samantha
Spokane, WA - Municipal Liaison (2003-2008)
Age Group: 50-Plus - Moderator
54,059 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2008 - 15 45
I'm still a week out from the actual murder, but one of my main characters has just gotten himself nearly killed by the murderer, so everybody thinks he's the intended victim -- but he's not.
----------Carol Anne
2004: The Magnificent What? -- winner
2005: Murder at the Community College -- winner
2006: Murder at the Yacht Club -- winner
2007: Murder at the Family Reunion -- winner
52,725 / 50,000
Nov 26, 2008 - 04 25
Two contracted government assassins (first mentioned in book 2 of my series) return in book 6 after being hired by a staff advisor to knock off his adversary. First, they have to kill a police officer (but end up killing her sister instead). The detective pursuing them happened to be on the receiving end of their wrath several years earlier when his father (a Mayor running for office) was targeted by the same men. The result is a family vendetta and an attempt to thwart the next fulfillment of their contract. Sensing the revenge, they disregard their contract and go after the detective's family again.
130,109 / 50,000
Nov 27, 2008 - 18 02
My FMC's father dies at the beginning and then people start dropping like flies. It turns out that the FMC's unknown step brother has been killing all the people that knew about him because he did not inherit a penny of the father's fortune.
----------Thrice True Love (60, 505) 2006
Loyalties Lie (80, 569) 2006
Circle of Death (113,097) 2007
50,069 / 50,000
Nov 27, 2008 - 23 46
At this stage, four (?) killings in (I am genuinely losing count, I'm so befuddled) I'm not sure Jack won't wake up and realise "It had all been a dream."
As for clever plot twists, I'm totally out. But can I be on the graph anyway? Please?
50,799 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 00 49
It's a murder mystery about the death of a Britney Spears impersonator called 'Oops, whodunit again?'.
:D
She's not really dead.
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2004: [Did not finish]
2005: The Reluctant Queen [won]
2006: A Forever Kind of Love [won]
2007: The War after the Day was Terminated by Aliens Independently... Tomorrow [won]
2008: OOPS! Whodunit Again?
50,656 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 10 40
It's a missing person mystery that morphs into a cold case.
Do I watch too much TV? we'll see...
----------...not as good as she thinks she is...
28,207 / 50,000
Nov 28, 2008 - 18 05
I killed off my murderer and then had him reappear, as he was having an affair with Death!
“Oh, hell,” Xaniusel thought as Death made his way into his sight. “I’m dead. Again.”
----------“Xaniusel. Long time, no see.” The woman in black grinned maliciously. “How many times have you been dead, so far?”
Xaniusel sighed, rolling his head to each side. “Ouch!” He rubbed his throat, which was black and bruised. Blood was crusted in his no longer silky hair. He touched his head, wincing. “Man, Alyxx really did a number on me, didn’t she?”
Death nodded. “Nothing I can’t fix.” She motioned for him to turn around in the blackness.
Xaniusel turned his back to her, and she leaned forward. Her pale fingers sparkled slightly as she reached out, and as she touched his skull, it healed. “You know, I wish you would stay here, for a change, Xaniusel. I miss you.”
Xaniusel straightened as she fixed his skull. “Yeah, well, I got rid of Lucharo, now I need to get rid of her Stephen and make sure she’s miserable. She made my life miserable without knowing it. So I hope she lives her life alone. I’ll be back after that, okay?”
Death sighed. “Let me come with you. Please?”
Xaniusel groaned. “Fine. Who will take your place?”
She grinned. “Hades! Duh!” She jumped in joy, her frilly black dress flying around her. “Let’s go!”
NaNo '08- A Sip of Blood, A Sip of Venom [???/50,000]
--
"Mm, I love the taste of megabytes in the morning!"
"Oh, hell," Xaniusel thought as Death made its way into his sight. "I'm dead. Again."
~All quotes by me.