So You Want to Write a Mystery This Year...

  Рет қаралды 3,241

Jane Kalmes

Jane Kalmes

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 46
@amandabarrows6066
@amandabarrows6066 Жыл бұрын
I love how you described cozies as your "secret sauce"! And I really liked the triangle visual. It helped me think about what my favorite mystery elements are.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Interesting; I wonder what they are!
@amandabarrows6066
@amandabarrows6066 Жыл бұрын
@@janekalmes I'm not sure... I'll have to think about it.
@NicoleWilbur
@NicoleWilbur Жыл бұрын
"There's no drama like dead body drama" 😂 Thank you for this awesome video - I love the point that mystery is so often combined with other kinds of stories!
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for setting up the collab, Nicole!
@samhawkins4952
@samhawkins4952 Жыл бұрын
I've been following you for years and I still absolutely love your videos! You are one of very few writing KZbinrs who give advice that's helpful for people who aren't complete novices anymore. I have one question (if you've already made a video about this I didn't see it, sorry): How do you limit your cast of suspects in a believable way? Because unless you're writing a locked room mystery, I feel like in real life there'd be an infinite number of possibilities how someone could have died. I'm writing a historical mystery where someone gets murdered on a voyage, and there's only three real suspects (they are suspects because they were on the trip as well and all acting a little sus), but if this was a real investigation the sleuth would have to rule out that it was just a random person they met along the way. How do you do this in a way that doesn't take up too much time of the book but also doesn't make it seem like the sleuth doesn't even consider that someone other than the main suspects could have done it?
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Ok, so, some thoughts… To some extent, you just don’t have to do this at all. I know it’s not realistic… but your reader is aware they’re reading a book, and anyone who isn’t a character? Isn’t a suspect. There are innumerable books that allow the sleuth to simply disregard the servants who might have killed a wealthy Englishman, or most of the villagers in a small community, etc. It’s just part of the conceit of the genre: non-characters don’t kill. However, if you want, you could let your sleuth think over the issue briefly. She could try to limit her suspect pool by some characteristic or another. I’m put in mind of a Murder She Wrote episode where the victim was killed on a cruise ship, and Jessica immediately narrowed the suspect pool to those people who bought tickets after the victim-people who bought before the victim couldn’t have known they’d be traveling with him, and thus were unlikely to be planning a cruise ship murder. Give it some thought-is there anything (motive? opportunity? specific knowledge?) that would let your sleuth narrow the pool to a select group of most-likely suspects (even if she gives a mental nod to the possibility that the true villain may come from outside of it)? After all, she must start her investigation somewhere, and starting with the most-likely culprits is probably wise.
@EmmaBennetAuthor
@EmmaBennetAuthor Жыл бұрын
So happy to discover your channel through this collaboration!
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Emma, I am happy to have found yours!
@KimtheElder
@KimtheElder Жыл бұрын
Jane, you are so good at breaking down the components of a mystery and then communicating them to a wide audience. I have so many notes from your videos saved to my google docs and of course - the course! The information and the community - Engaging and Supportive. Wishing you and yours a very happy 2024 🎉😊
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Very much the same to you and yours! Thank you!
@kebu2579
@kebu2579 Жыл бұрын
I truly think your writing advice is a hidden gem on KZbin. There are so many writing channels on here that provide general, basic advice without delving deeper into the why's and how's, or just rehash what you can find on 10 different writing blogs- all to plug their latest book (nothing wrong with that- I just keep finding a pattern in these channels in where they don't even seem to use their own formulas that they suggest in their videos, and come to find out from their book(s): they can't write well at all) But your videos, Jane, are some of my go-tos on here. Regardless of numbers, you are up there with the advice of Filmento, Schnee, and Shaelinwrites for me. Your videos are valuable and I'm still amazed how they're free. So please keep doing what you're doing. Post in-between life, of course. But just remember there are people here who will readily wait to watch your latest videos whenever you have the time to post them ❤ you do great work
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
What a kind comment! This has been a rough half-year for me, both in finding time to make videos, and in feeling like they’re providing any value. Every time I think of a video idea, I seem to think: But who wants to watch THAT?! Thanks so much for taking the time to write; it means a lot.
@Shaswatabasu
@Shaswatabasu Жыл бұрын
Welcome back
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@timewithnicole
@timewithnicole Жыл бұрын
I love how you talk about mysteries as more than just "solving a crime", I think that is why I'm so drawn to the genre too. Thank you for sharing this great resource and I'm glad I've been able to discover your channel through this collaboration 😊
@janekalmes
@janekalmes 11 ай бұрын
Excited to learn about yours too, Nicole!
@nyxcole9879
@nyxcole9879 Жыл бұрын
Love your channnel, Jane ❤ My 3 preferred tend to be Mystery, Horror, Suspense which leans more in thriller direction. The one im currently writing reveals the 'who's' around the midpoint, and I was hoping it works to have a second half that focuses heavy on the whys and hows and not the who and it still be a satisfying mystery especially if there's multiple antagonists revealing the who later seems untenable.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
I think that can definitely work, especially with the “how.” I have quite a few videos on Howdunits; you might enjoy this one: Plotting MYSTERY Novels | How to Write a HOWDUNIT kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3nRY2mkq857oq8
@nyxcole9879
@nyxcole9879 Жыл бұрын
@@janekalmes Thank you!! 😊
@leesa6970
@leesa6970 Жыл бұрын
This is exactly what I needed right now today!! I haven't even watched it yet and I know it is what I need to give me a kick up the but. Just the title spoke to me 'So you want to write a mystery' and now I am making myself a nice cup of tea to drink while I watch it. I am torn about what I want to write and feel like the universe is answering me (I hope). Much love. I love your videos and often check to see if there is a new one, so you made me smile very big today. EDITED TO ADD - great video, Jane. Wishing you a wonderful and productive 2024. Look forward to your mystery writing book coming out. Ps ... I also have a file )but in onenote), where I break down mysteries to understand how they work on tv. It has really helped me, along with your videos., especially the pacing side of things.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome, Leesa! I very much hope 2024 is incredibly productive for you!
@DavidMacDowellBlue
@DavidMacDowellBlue 11 ай бұрын
I've started to plot out my murder mystery play, which is very "Agatha Christie Noir" set in 1938 Los Angeles. Except as I've been watching/reading more murder mysteries, I find the series I'm feeling most in sync with is basically WALLENDER. Not that spectacularly grim and dramatic, but the direction of character development and the way the BIG issues come down to personal stories and experiences.
@johnmclean6380
@johnmclean6380 Жыл бұрын
Brilliant…as always! ❤❤❤
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@SloanePaoPow
@SloanePaoPow Жыл бұрын
Love your channel, Jane! You have a great way of explaining concepts so clearly.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@brechtjedelandtsheer8615
@brechtjedelandtsheer8615 Жыл бұрын
I just wanted to tell you that you are amazing. You're advice is so structured and you really know what you are talking about, thanks for making all of us better writers!
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!
@arthijaiswal8755
@arthijaiswal8755 5 ай бұрын
Love this channel. Go guuurl🎉🎉🎉
@felicebritton8881
@felicebritton8881 10 ай бұрын
I am going to start my google doc because I have post it notes all over the place.
@danmillward3480
@danmillward3480 10 ай бұрын
I love how you say the plot is the structure for a good story...that really is the point....I think a good plot twist does initially shock or surprise us..but so does a bad plot twist...I think the thing that makes it stick is the fact that it reaffirms our understanding of the human condition...just like any other literature
@Blakeneyd
@Blakeneyd 8 ай бұрын
Remington Steele is always worth binging… Thank you so much for posting these!
@gigglegirl177
@gigglegirl177 8 ай бұрын
Thank you for this and all your other videos!
@Paul12345671
@Paul12345671 Жыл бұрын
Hi Jane. I've started writing up my Vampire game/mystery. I've detailed out exactly how the crime was committed in the first place, who, how and why. I've also listed out a lot of the possible clues that the players could discover, whether they are incriminating or exonerating. Thanks very much for your advice.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes Жыл бұрын
Sounds awesome, Paul! I hope it flows beautifully for you.
@deellaboe437
@deellaboe437 11 ай бұрын
New sub here!! I feel deep down everyone wants to be an investigator. And Mysteris does that. I haven't written my book yet (I've plotted 10 though) and I find myself not liking my story because it is missing something, umm suspense, now a murder!! yes, yes I needed this. Thanks for inspiring me on that missing element. I have your character profile and
@janekalmes
@janekalmes 11 ай бұрын
Welcome to the channel! I wish you the best of luck with your book!
@SaraWisdom
@SaraWisdom 11 ай бұрын
Love your videos and your substack newsletter! Would you consider doing a video just on obtaining confessions? The techniques most often used in crime fiction? Sometimes the evidence is significant but not sufficient, so a confession it is! From PERRY MASON to THE CLOSER, it has been shown that a well-done confession can also deliver a satisfying wallop at the end of the story.
@janekalmes
@janekalmes 11 ай бұрын
Glad you’re liking the channel, Sara! Have you seen this video? It’s about how to construct a trap that forces the villain to seal his own fate-which often ends in a confession. Not Sure How to End Your Mystery? Watch This! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYLEfoinmKueqtk
@SaraWisdom
@SaraWisdom 11 ай бұрын
@@janekalmes Thank you for responding, Jane. I have watched the other video (a couple of times and taken notes from it). But I was thinking of a video that focused solely on verbal/questioning techniques to induce confessions (from truly guilty people -- not false confessions from the innocent obviously). Also, I want to thank you again for your channel. It's a great resource -- and a source of inspiration. (I write noir, by the way, not cozies. But I still find your channel extremely relevant. And I hope that other non-cozy mystery writers out there will increasingly recognize the value you bring.) Best wishes for continued success in 2024!
@janekalmes
@janekalmes 11 ай бұрын
@SaraWisdom Ahh, I gotcha. Scenes like that rarely happen at the end of the mystery-usually we get a real “solve-y” moment based on a clue or trap, etc, that puts the sleuth totally in the driver’s seat. However, they can be very useful for smoking out co-conspirators in the middle of a mystery. I haven’t done a big study on this, but I’ve read a few law enforcement articles, and I think it has a lot to do with (1) making the villain think that you have a connection, you understand him, and to at least some extent are on his side and (2) making him feel he’ll benefit if he gets his side of the story out there. Off the top of my head, there’s a good scene about 3/4 of the way through In a Dark Wood by Tana French you might want to look at. You’ll know it when you get to it.
@celebratewhoyouaretoday3513
@celebratewhoyouaretoday3513 Жыл бұрын
I have been attempting to binge watch your channel! So much information. Thank you. I do have a question probably a silly one. What questions do you typically write down on your spreadsheet when are dissecting a tv show or book? I am attempting to do this but I always get caught up in the plot that I forget to start asking questions! Lol😂
@janekalmes
@janekalmes 11 ай бұрын
Not a silly question! I typically write down a basic summary of the plot, the Motive (love, money, power, or fear), the twists that were used, tropes used, and the Damning Clue-the final clue that brings the case to a conclusion.
@celebratewhoyouaretoday3513
@celebratewhoyouaretoday3513 11 ай бұрын
Great. Thanks
@nelsonoliver6723
@nelsonoliver6723 11 ай бұрын
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