Murder, She Writes

Anyone who has wrestled with writing a story has most likely faced that echoing, horrible pit of “Nothing is Working.” I recently found a gaping plot hole in my work in progress and am not sure I fixed it in the best way possible. I wish to fix it in such a way that no one will ever know a hole existed, but sometimes the problem doesn’t have an easy solution. I will be weeding the garden, driving my car, or washing the dishes, and I bet, the answer to the problem will appear.

At least that’s been my experience.

I recently finished reading a mystery novel from a series that wasn’t one of my favorite reads. I’m not going to share the author or title here because you, dear reader, may find the book compelling. The writer’s work is popular, so I cheer her on.

The challenge with the book? The crime didn’t logically make sense. The murderer didn’t need to murder the victim to get what they wanted, and, at least in the story, no motivation was given. As both a writer and a reader I’ve experienced my share of the suspension of disbelief. I am willing to accept or create something that pushes expectations. There’s a kind of magic here worth indulging in.

In this unnamed novel, the murder was planned. It was not a passionate outburst that the antagonist later regretted. The process of figuring out the murder held my interest, but the writer also used a number of unnecessary workplace dramas that seemed unrealistic and petty. The kind of things that would send most of us in search of a better job.

Again, this is my subjective response. I hope the writer has avid readers and sells many books.

With my own work? Well, I’ll keep at it. I do love my characters and hope my readers will as well. That plot hole will be fixed and the story will move forward. Often, when I struggle, a stronger answer emerges.

Write on!

Aurora Borealis, May 10, 2024