When does the body show up? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T22:32:20Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:121788?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A121825&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAngela, you pose the question…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-06:537324:Comment:1227462008-02-06T12:21:08.392ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
Angela, you pose the question on pace and I'm in. I think pace is one of the most difficult task that the author of any genre faces.
Angela, you pose the question on pace and I'm in. I think pace is one of the most difficult task that the author of any genre faces. Too kind.
HB Xtag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-06:537324:Comment:1227412008-02-06T11:30:49.927Zhelen blackhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/helenblack
Too kind.<br />
HB X
Too kind.<br />
HB X Well, true enough, and differ…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-05:537324:Comment:1226852008-02-05T22:28:35.658ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Well, true enough, and different styles appeal to different readers. I tend to be impatient. If, as in a book I'm trying to read at the moment, interesting tidbits (why did someone send the couple a set of their father's underwear and why are a bunch of well-brought-up youngsters terrorizing a nice elderly couple?) are injected but remain unanswered while people go on having banal conversations, I get pretty impatient. And I don't really need a body. I just hate empty dialogue that clutters up…
Well, true enough, and different styles appeal to different readers. I tend to be impatient. If, as in a book I'm trying to read at the moment, interesting tidbits (why did someone send the couple a set of their father's underwear and why are a bunch of well-brought-up youngsters terrorizing a nice elderly couple?) are injected but remain unanswered while people go on having banal conversations, I get pretty impatient. And I don't really need a body. I just hate empty dialogue that clutters up the works. However, the point here is, that the author is well-beloved by many readers and his style clearly works for him. I rarely begin a book with a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-05:537324:Comment:1226472008-02-05T20:18:05.990ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
I rarely begin a book with a body. In fact I'm lucky if there is a body within the first hundred pages. The way that works best for me is to bring characters together to let the reader watch them interact and then to find one of them dead.<br />
But then the writer must work hard to built tension without a body and to keep the reader's interest, feeling that something bad is about to happen.<br />
The great thing about mystery novels is that there are no hard and fast rules. Whatever works for a particular…
I rarely begin a book with a body. In fact I'm lucky if there is a body within the first hundred pages. The way that works best for me is to bring characters together to let the reader watch them interact and then to find one of them dead.<br />
But then the writer must work hard to built tension without a body and to keep the reader's interest, feeling that something bad is about to happen.<br />
The great thing about mystery novels is that there are no hard and fast rules. Whatever works for a particular writer is the right way to do it.<br />
<br />
Rhys Bowen Gang rape is impact, maybe mo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-05:537324:Comment:1226262008-02-05T18:14:34.076ZNeil Whitehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/NeilWhite
Gang rape is impact, maybe more so than a murder. I have read the first chapter of your next book, Helen. It has impact!!
Gang rape is impact, maybe more so than a murder. I have read the first chapter of your next book, Helen. It has impact!! In WHOO?? the first body show…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-05:537324:Comment:1226152008-02-05T17:07:01.384ZDennis Leppanenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TheWarbler
In WHOO?? the first body shows up in Chapter 5, page 46. But, there are kidnappings, fights, and other action throughout.<br />
<br />
It's historical setting is the mid 1890's, lotsa stuff happening as we are about to enter the Twentieth Century. I think my writing style for the particular story dictates how I address this issue.<br />
<br />
The story I wrote for the MWA conference has the body discovered in the first paragraph.
In WHOO?? the first body shows up in Chapter 5, page 46. But, there are kidnappings, fights, and other action throughout.<br />
<br />
It's historical setting is the mid 1890's, lotsa stuff happening as we are about to enter the Twentieth Century. I think my writing style for the particular story dictates how I address this issue.<br />
<br />
The story I wrote for the MWA conference has the body discovered in the first paragraph. I.J. said, "Actually, I put t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-04:537324:Comment:1224842008-02-04T20:58:21.905ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
I.J. said, "Actually, I put the body where it seems to drop naturally."<br />
<br />
The more naturally the better.
I.J. said, "Actually, I put the body where it seems to drop naturally."<br />
<br />
The more naturally the better. I totally agree with you, Jon…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-04:537324:Comment:1224662008-02-04T18:53:09.253ZLynette Reeshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LynetteRees
I totally agree with you, Jon. In one of my books, a body doesn't appear until half way through the book. There is a lot going on before then to maintain suspense and the body comes as a shock to the reader.<br />
<br />
Lynette
I totally agree with you, Jon. In one of my books, a body doesn't appear until half way through the book. There is a lot going on before then to maintain suspense and the body comes as a shock to the reader.<br />
<br />
Lynette Hmm. Thanks, but I did rather…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-04:537324:Comment:1224452008-02-04T18:33:31.557ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Hmm. Thanks, but I did rather stumble over "descriptive nonsense" (linked to romance novel exposition). I take it you mean the slow start with the loving description of characters and relationships, homes, luxury goods, etc. I suppose they fill a function in that sort of novel, and sometimes those reader preferences (or author's styles) are transferred to mysteries and historical novels. Plenty of romance writers have been switching hats.<br />
But far be it from me to reject description in favor of…
Hmm. Thanks, but I did rather stumble over "descriptive nonsense" (linked to romance novel exposition). I take it you mean the slow start with the loving description of characters and relationships, homes, luxury goods, etc. I suppose they fill a function in that sort of novel, and sometimes those reader preferences (or author's styles) are transferred to mysteries and historical novels. Plenty of romance writers have been switching hats.<br />
But far be it from me to reject description in favor of stripped down action/dialog. The latter is just too thin or shallow for me.<br />
Actually, I put the body where it seems to drop naturally. Sounds good to me.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-04:537324:Comment:1224432008-02-04T18:25:00.026ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Sounds good to me.
Sounds good to me.