What is a mystery?

Many readers and writers as well, confuse genres. I’ve seen a reference to a mystery/thriller. I’m not sure how to untangle that one.

A suspense novel starts with a situation and moves to the climax where the “main event” happens or doesn’t happen. A thriller is the same format as a suspense with more in the way of fast-paced action. The struggle is between the good-gal doing her best to stop the bad-guy from accomplishing the main event, explosion, war, etc.

A mystery flips the sequence. The “main event,” most times a murder, occurs up front. The rest of the time is spent as the good-guy works to uncover the identity of the bad-gal. Here, the climax is the unmasking of the culprit. Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie) loved the “drawing-room” scene. He eliminates the suspects one-by-one until the bad-guy confesses and bolts for freedom. Avoid these kinds of info dumps.

There are a ton of sub-genres within the mystery category: cozy, hard boiled, medium boiled, amateur sleuth, police procedural, to name a few.

If you plan to write mysteries or any genre, do some research so you sound like you know what you’re doing. One of the best descriptions of fiction genres I’ve run across is at — www.pcbios.com — a web site by Linda Rohrbough. Look for “The Genre Hurdle – Table 1” link on her “Business of Writing” page.

Bee Jay

Panels

In my previous blog, I discussed public speaking as a marketing tool. Think of the last time you sat in an audience. Do you think the crowd remembered you or the speaker? Rhetorical — no need for an answer.

Speaking as a panel member may be easier than carrying the entire load. Still, you need to prepare, have some notes and do your practice aloud.

Recently, I participated on a panel discussing the mystery genre. I was the only one on a panel of four who didn’t have a published novel. The three others finished speaking — without interruption — and none of them bothered to define a mystery. A person in the audience requested a definition.

Since part of my pre-panel prep was coming up with definitions for both mystery and suspense stories, I took this opportunity to speak. I explained the difference between a suspense/thriller and a mystery. As I added a few comments on mysteries, both panel members of the female persuasion decided it was time to interrupt and to challenge and disagree with me. My comments were correct and on point — their disagreements came from deep left field.

I don’t mind folks who disagree with me, but good manners dictate they do it in their own turn. For a minute I thought I missed some of the rules for the panel — if you’re female and published, it’s okay to be obnoxious.

I could have defended my position and argued with them. Instead, I let each extol their point while I stared at the audience. When they finished their spiels, I continued my presentation.

I think my approach won the day. After the meeting, several from the audience thanked me for my presentation and passed rather disparaging remarks about the two “ladies.” When appearing in public, remember we can disagree without being disagreeable. While publishing and writing appear to be a big, big business, it’s more like a small town.

Bee Jay