Unraveling the Mystery of Mysteries, by Chantelle Aimee Osman

“A first class mystery is also a first class novel.” ~P.D.James

There are three main elements to a mystery:

1. Plot – This is more important in a mystery. Know at least the key points before starting: who/what/where/why? Always start 20 pages after where you THINK it should begin!
   1. Make sure you have some subplots – romance, etc. Of course, the crime is most important – and it’s not always murder.
   2. Introduce the crime within the first 3 chapters. Make it believable – do your research. The methods used need to be rational and scientific, and the method of murder should match the killer.
   3. Clues should be almost invisible. The best ones point in one way but actually say something different if you look at it the right way. You really only need 1-3 really important clues. It’s more the plot and characters.
   4. You may have heard that “False clues and red herrings are not fair” – baloney! Life’s not fair. Don’t go too far afield with your clues, though – keep them realistic to your world.
   5. Also -remember that everyone has a secret, so everyone might be guilty.
2. Characters – introduce the protagonist and antagonist early. The reader should have some sort of emotional attachment – either like them or hate them.
   1. Look up the FBI Profile Worksheet and fill it out for your characters – then leave most of that off the page!
   2. Make sure you actually like your characters!
   3. Your sleuth should be as unique as possible.
   4. Backstory should be like bread crumbs – drop a trail instead of dumping everything in the first book.
   5. Explaining motivation is bad, too – show us action or dialogue.
3. Setting – This is often what draws people to the book. Treat setting as another character – don’t adjust it to just to have a place to set the story. Use things and places readers aren’t likely to see, but be accurate.

Also remember: anything that is going to make you jump or jar you out of the story is bad – it’s like bad narration in a movie.

5 Traits of a Highly Successful Writer (William Lavender)

1. Confidence in your ability.
2. Passion about your work.
3. Have a willingness to change.
4. Don’t give up when you fail.
5. Continue your education.

Like, Love and Lust  (Alison Sky Richards):

Reasons someone might not attempt a relationship:

• fearful of losing a friend
• fearful that their feelings won’t be reciprocated
• in another relationship
• uncertain of their own sexual orientation

In a good relationship, the other person completes them in some way:

• Yin and Yang
• Opposites attract
• Similarities

The break-up point is when trust has been broken; the other must re-earn that trust to repair the relationship

“Falling in Love”

• Star-crossed lovers
• Unrequited love
• Love triangles
• Marriage of convenience
• High school sweethearts who meet years later
• Summer flings
• Rich Girl/Poor Boy
• Outcasts
• Instinctual (werewolves, vamps, etc)
• Florence Nightingale
• Finding love when no longer looking for it

When someone is in love:

• they exaggerate their partner’s characteristics (rose-colored glasses)
• they see them as holding important values
• they feel happier/ more hopeful
• they love themselves more
• they feel more attractive and desirable
• they maintain the idealization of “falling in love,” but have a clearer understanding of friends in love
• they make commitments they normally wouldn’t make
• they may not be as jealous of partners (if the relationship is healthy)
• they feel less lonely and isolated
• partners in a healthy relationship learn to tolerate being separated and learn to tolerate intimacy and vulnerability

Barriers that keep a relationship from progressing:

• a checklist of “must-haves”
• wants sex only
• wants love only
• too high an expectation of partner
• fear of change
• putting something else above the relationship

The Joy of Writing Sex (Elizabeth Benedict) – 10 Principles:

1. A sex scene is not an instruction manual.
2. A good sex scene doesn’t have to be about good sex.
3. It’s OK to be aroused by your own writing.
4. Your fear is your best friend.
5. Sex is nice, but character is your destiny.
6. Only your characters know for sure what terms they’ll use.
7. Take your cues from your characters.
8. Make sure the emotions leading into sex make sense.
9. A good sex scene is always about sex and something else.
10. Who the characters are to one another is key.