Here are some things I learned about mystery writing:
1. Don't give away "who did it" until the end.
2. Give hints along the way. (The plot must thicken.)
3. Make each character look slightly guilty. (Each one needs a motive.)
4. Give the detective a unique personality.
5. Build interesting relationships between the characters.
It was fun writing a mystery, but I have a lot to learn. I'm hoping some of you can help me improve my mystery writing skills! How? Take part in this month's Writing Challenge!
Your Task
1. Review the suspects from the MyEC photo gallery.
2. Choose one suspect. Open a new blog post. Use the title: Writing Challenge #26: A Gingerbread Mystery
3. Write a monologue from the perspective of the suspect you chose. Prove to us that you are innocent. You did not take Gingey's treats.
3. In your monologue answer these questions:
a. Where were you when the treats were stolen? (What's your alibi?)
b. Why would you would never steal from Gingey? (Don't forget to make yourself look a little guilty.)
c. Which suspect do you think is guilty, and why? (What did you see?)
4. Publish your monologue. Come back to this challenge and share a link to your post.
5. Read other posts and leave comments. Do you believe that these suspects are innocent? Why or why not?
*Advanced learners and teachers: Please record your monologue and add the audio to your Writing Challenge post.
*Intermediate learners: Choose one suspect. Pretend you are him or her. Write 1 paragraph in first person ("I"). Why are you innocent?
*Beginners: Leave comments on blog posts and in the photo album. Is this character guilty or not? Why?
Bonus Challenge #1: These gingerbread cookies need a home! What is a mystery without a setting? If you and your friends or family have decorating skills, build a home and take a picture. Upload it to the MyEC gallery and label it Gingerbread House.(Please do not take an image from the Internet.) Share a link in the comments below.
Bonus Challenge #2: This mystery needs a detective! Upload a picture of a suitable detective for this mystery. Label it Gingerbread Detective. This can be a gingerbread man or a cookie or cake with a face or even your child.
Note: We'll vote on the best setting and detective at the end of the month and I'll add the two winning pictures to the Gingerbread Mystery photo album (with your permission and a photo credit)
WordChecker
give away: to tell or show in an obvious way
plot: the main events of the story
thicken: to become more mysterious or multi-layered (more depth)
suspect: a person who may have committed a crime
motive: a reason for committing a crime
alibi: proof that you are not responsible for the crime (you were somewhere else and you have a witness or some other proof)
monologue: a script for one person ("dialogue" is for two)
setting: the place where a story happens
Word Forms
innocent (adjective): I am innocent.
innocence (noun): Maintain your innocence.
guilty (adjective): She is guilty.
guilt (noun): She expressed guilt.
My Example
Suspect: Kitty
I can't believe anyone would suspect that I stole Gingey's candy! Me? I'm a fashionable cat. What would I need red icing or blue sprinkles for? You wouldn't catch me dead wearing Smarties. I might eat them, but I'd never wear them like Gingey used to. I do have a sweet tooth. Everyone knows that. I could eat chocolate chips all day. But I must repeat, I'd NEVER wear them. Besides, I was out getting my whiskers trimmed when Gingey's treats were snatched. You can ask my esthetician. Poor Gingey. He must be so cold without his candy necklace and his icing jeans. I suspect Hamburger is the thief. He mentioned the other day that he needed some new threads. He's always eating his shirt. One time he tried to snatch my bow. Maybe he does it out of nervousness. I tell him, "Hamburger, stop eating your shirt" but he says he can't help it. You don't see me eating my whiskers, do you? Well, not unless they're covered in sugar. Anyway, don't look at me, detective. I'm not a thief. I'm just a sleepy cat who never gets out of her PJs.
Listen to the first track in my music player: Kitty
Comments
Hey Tara how are you dear??
this is my blog FINALLY ;)
http://my.englishclub.com/profiles/blogs/writing-challenge-26-a-5
Hello Tara,
when can I start a new blog about : vote for Gingerbread Detective?
I'm ready to post it, thanks!
-Nadiyah-
@Blesie By making your story a dialogue you demonstrated an important difference between two English words. No need to apologize! Writing practice is writing practice! :)
(off-topic). Btw,a Gingerbread may also refer to a charity organization established in 1970 and which provides help to single mothers.
Hi Viviana,
You can upload a picture to the MyEC photo gallery. Then come back here and share a link. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Cheers,
Tara
video definition: to interrogate
@Rabab You can just write one paragraph! Check out all of the examples that have been posted so far. You can also leave comments on the suspect photos. This is fun stuff.
Hey Tara,
I love this challenge soooo much.How Creative.
I want badly to participate though it's difficult I will take a shot.
I like your example and Kitty character too :D
Thanks
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