Why do you write crime fiction? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T23:21:14Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/why-do-you-write-crime-fiction?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A190119&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat's where the flawed hero…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-31:537324:Comment:1909712009-03-31T15:38:43.867ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
That's where the flawed hero comes from. Only the discovery is self-recognition. In other words, Greek tragedy focuses inward. Mysteries mostly focus outward.
That's where the flawed hero comes from. Only the discovery is self-recognition. In other words, Greek tragedy focuses inward. Mysteries mostly focus outward. Nope, you're not over-analyzi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-31:537324:Comment:1909402009-03-31T11:17:31.469ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Nope, you're not over-analyzing. Crime fiction is both -- psychologically satisfying and cathartic, as well as fun!
Nope, you're not over-analyzing. Crime fiction is both -- psychologically satisfying and cathartic, as well as fun! If we invited Aristotle into…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-31:537324:Comment:1908842009-03-31T00:59:47.993ZJohn Desjarlaishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDesjarlais
If we invited Aristotle into the discussion (he loved Oedipus Rex, a crime story- sort of) he might adjust his theory of poetics to say that the fear and pity aroused by such tales results in catharsis, a restoration of emotional balance - especially when we see justice done and disequilibrium restored to some kind of balance. In every crime story there is 'discovery' (or 'recognition') and a resulting reversal of some kind, involving surprise (and suffering) even though there were plenty of…
If we invited Aristotle into the discussion (he loved Oedipus Rex, a crime story- sort of) he might adjust his theory of poetics to say that the fear and pity aroused by such tales results in catharsis, a restoration of emotional balance - especially when we see justice done and disequilibrium restored to some kind of balance. In every crime story there is 'discovery' (or 'recognition') and a resulting reversal of some kind, involving surprise (and suffering) even though there were plenty of 'clues' along the way as to what the inevitable and logical ending would be.<br />
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OK, maybe I'm over-analyzing it. They're just fun. Years ago, I read a book on w…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-29:537324:Comment:1906092009-03-29T14:43:38.839ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
Years ago, I read a book on writing by Randall V. Cassell. The book is virtually impossible to get short of an arm, a leg, or an eye, but one piece of advice he gave was agout the unity of stories. There are tailor-made stories all around us in the form of things that have a beginning a middle and an end.<br />
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Crime is one of those: There's a crime, an investigation, and a conclusion--satisfactory or otherwise.<br />
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I am not sure that is why I consciously write crime stories, but it may be a…
Years ago, I read a book on writing by Randall V. Cassell. The book is virtually impossible to get short of an arm, a leg, or an eye, but one piece of advice he gave was agout the unity of stories. There are tailor-made stories all around us in the form of things that have a beginning a middle and an end.<br />
<br />
Crime is one of those: There's a crime, an investigation, and a conclusion--satisfactory or otherwise.<br />
<br />
I am not sure that is why I consciously write crime stories, but it may be a subconscious reason. For me, it's the sense of noi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1901242009-03-26T22:14:05.830ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
For me, it's the sense of noir, the danger of the unknown, especially the unknown within ourselves. I am driven to explore and understand what makes people do the things they do, both the noble and the atrocious deeds of man. As a child I read everything -- both fiction and non (though I always had a passion for fiction) and every genre. But I always remember the thrill-rush of adrenaline when the sleuth got underway. From Holmes to Columbo, from Bogey on the screen to Hannibal Lecter, I loved…
For me, it's the sense of noir, the danger of the unknown, especially the unknown within ourselves. I am driven to explore and understand what makes people do the things they do, both the noble and the atrocious deeds of man. As a child I read everything -- both fiction and non (though I always had a passion for fiction) and every genre. But I always remember the thrill-rush of adrenaline when the sleuth got underway. From Holmes to Columbo, from Bogey on the screen to Hannibal Lecter, I loved them all, straight mystery and thriller alike.<br />
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I am still fascinated to this day with the study of what makes us all tick. Reading gives one a tremendous feeling of insight, and so does writing for that matter! Run me up a pipeline for that…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1901222009-03-26T22:07:50.199ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Run me up a pipeline for that cactus-juice, friend!<br />
And yes, I agree, it's what most of us grew up reading or watching on tele, that sense of mystery gets into the neurons and bloodstream.
Run me up a pipeline for that cactus-juice, friend!<br />
And yes, I agree, it's what most of us grew up reading or watching on tele, that sense of mystery gets into the neurons and bloodstream. Hey, Jon, that inner psycho i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1901192009-03-26T22:05:46.676ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
Hey, Jon, that inner psycho is something I think a lot of us crime fiction writers can relate to! "Amuck, amuck, amuck...."
Hey, Jon, that inner psycho is something I think a lot of us crime fiction writers can relate to! "Amuck, amuck, amuck...." When you read the story in Ex…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-13:537324:Comment:1877942009-03-13T14:32:15.789ZJohn Desjarlaishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDesjarlais
When you read the story in Exodus, you'll see that the tablets were indeed broken - smashed by Moses himself in anger when he came upon his people worshipping the golden calf. They were replaced shortly afterwards by the same set of laws on new tablets (so much for the idea that some tablets were dropped - the textual evidence doesn't support such a theory), and these were stored in the Ark (that Indiana Jones later made famous again). The Exodus narrative, by the way, is wonderfully…
When you read the story in Exodus, you'll see that the tablets were indeed broken - smashed by Moses himself in anger when he came upon his people worshipping the golden calf. They were replaced shortly afterwards by the same set of laws on new tablets (so much for the idea that some tablets were dropped - the textual evidence doesn't support such a theory), and these were stored in the Ark (that Indiana Jones later made famous again). The Exodus narrative, by the way, is wonderfully constructed and offers good lessons about character development and suspense-building for writers.<br />
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As long as we're on the subject of Moses and the Law, this is another reason we write crime fiction - to explore the meaning of justice in an unjust society (supposedly governed by laws),to be assured that somehow the balances will be restored at the end. What's bad about coconut? If…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-11:537324:Comment:1873762009-03-11T14:24:20.959ZBenjamin Sobieckhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
What's bad about coconut? If you've eaten movie theater popcorn, you've probably eaten coconut. The oil the kernels are popped in is usually coconut. I worked as a projectionist for a couple years. I ate the stuff almost every day. I'm still trying to get the taste out of my mouth.
What's bad about coconut? If you've eaten movie theater popcorn, you've probably eaten coconut. The oil the kernels are popped in is usually coconut. I worked as a projectionist for a couple years. I ate the stuff almost every day. I'm still trying to get the taste out of my mouth. Welcome, Minerva.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-11:537324:Comment:1873682009-03-11T13:24:11.876ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Welcome, Minerva.
Welcome, Minerva.